Heavy traffic expected in city centre this weekend

01/12/11

This weekend is likely to be one of the busiest of the year in the city centre as festive fever really takes hold.

Many people have now received their final pre-Christmas pay and will be hitting the shops to blitz their festive shopping.

The last few weekends have seen marked increases in the level of traffic in the city centre and associated delays, particularly on the Market Street/Virginia Street corridor.

Aberdeen City Council would like to remind the travelling public of the many transport options open to them, including extra Park and Ride services running into the city, a free retro "hopper" bus serving the city centre, and soon-to-be improved rail links.

Nestrans director Derick Murray has urged festive shoppers and revellers to use public transport wherever possible in the lead up to Christmas. He said: "Traffic levels within the city always increase considerably at this time of year and leaving the car at home can reduce the frustration that being stuck in congestion or trying to find somewhere to park brings about.

"Taking the bus or train instead will for many result in a far more positive experience and hopefully allow additional time to either shop or enjoy leisure activities."

Gordon McIntosh, the council's director for Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure added: "It can actually be quicker to get into the city centre using public transport instead of your car because you don't have to go hunting for a parking space and buses, with access to bus lanes, are much less likely to get snared up in traffic than cars, leaving you to relax during the journey instead of getting frustrated in queues.

"Shopping outside the peak times of late morning to early afternoon can make for a much pleasanter experience as the roads and shops tend to be quieter. And if you use public transport to get into the city centre, you don't have to worry about dashing back to your car to top up the parking meter."

"Obeying the rules of the road by, for example stopping at red lights, not stopping in box junctions and not parking in inappropriate places can make a significant difference to traffic flow. Just one car stopped in a box junction or on double yellow lines can bring traffic on already very busy roads to a standstill."

Variable message signs will be posted on the A90 and A944 advising motorists of road conditions in the city and encouraging them to use the Park and Ride services. The inner circle of variable message signs will also be used to alert drivers when car parks are reaching capacity.

The city is served by a comprehensive public transport network and the festive Park and Ride services are now in operation from this weekend, providing those who use the service with free parking and cheap bus fares.

Sunday Park and Ride services, with promotional fares of £1.50 flat rate return for adults, including two under 16's free; and £1.00 flat return for children, will be running between Kingswells and Bridge of Don from this weekend until Christmas. First and Stagecoach day tickets will be accepted. Monday to Saturday Park and Ride services continue as normal.

Stagecoach Bluebird operates services from throughout the north-east to the bus station at Union Square and the Ellon Park and Ride is an ideal service for those travelling in on the A90 from the north.

First Aberdeen operates regular services across Aberdeen seven days a week.

The busiest shopping time at the weekend is from late morning to early afternoon. Spreading your day over this period, or doing your shopping outwith this time can help reduce traffic build-up and delays.

There are more than 5,000 parking spaces throughout the city centre, all within easy walking distance of the main shopping precinct.

City centre car parks include: Chapel Street, 500 spaces; Denburn, 326 spaces; West North Street, 165 spaces; Gallowgate, 138 spaces; Trinity Centre, 395 spaces; Shiprow, 365 spaces; Bon Accord Centre - Harriet Street, 370 spaces; Bon Accord Centre - Loch Street, 950 spaces; College Street, 656 spaces; Union Square, 1,210 spaces.

Motorists are advised to avoid the Market Street/Virginia Street corridor if possible and those who do not need to travel into the city centre are advised to use alternative routes to cross the city.

Drivers are reminded that they should heed the rules of the road and not stop or park in box junctions or on double yellow lines to avoid causing extra congestion and delays.

Those who are planning onward journeys by rail, ferry, bus or plane should allow extra time to reach their departure point as city roads will be considerably busier than usual.

Further information about public transport services is available online at www.travelinescotland.com
 

From www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/CouncilNews/ci_cns/pr_traffic_011211.asp