A number of busy city junctions and roundabouts could be made safer for cyclists and pedestrians, thanks to a potential reduction in traffic congestion after the opening of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route.
Aberdeen City Council has issued a survey asking the public how they would like four key crossings in the city to be improved, based on the expectation that the bypass will significantly reduce the amount of motor vehicles currently using them.
The online form asked residents about how they would want to alter the signalised four-way crossing between Lang Stracht, Westburn Road and North Anderson Drive.
It also includes the congested roundabouts between Anderson Drive and King’s Gate, Great Southern Road and the King George VI Bridge, and Anderson Drive and Broomhill Road.
A number of options are currently open to planners at the moment, but the local authority is keen to make all four of the crossings better suited to those on bikes or on foot.
A statement attached to the survey read: “In order to encourage a greater number of trips by active travel, Aberdeen City Council wishes to improve pedestrian and cycle facilities at four junctions while ensuring there is no detriment to public transport movements.
“In addition, Aberdeen City Council wishes to alter the four junctions to maximise the benefits of the AWPR and give greater traffic priority to the radial routes which cross Anderson Drive.”
Councillor Neil Cooney, convener of the council’s infrastructure committee, welcomed the proposals as step towards encouraging more environmentally-friendly transport in the city.
He said: “We’re always looking for healthier ways to travel, and anything that gets pressure off the roads from cars is beneficial both for public health and pollution levels.
“The Western Peripheral Route will change a lot of the traffic flow in the city. Obviously, a lot of the traffic currently going through Aberdeen goes north to south, but once the bypass is in place, it will change more to east to west.
“Therefore, we have junctions that will take more stress, and junctions that will take less stress, so if we get cyclists and pedestrians onto the safer routes, it be a benefit to all.”
The survey can be completed by visiting www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/accjunctionusers