Disappointment over the council's decision on city centre bus gates. Image - Aberdeen Inspired.
Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, has reacted to today’s decision by Aberdeen City Council on the future of the city centre bus gates.
He said: “We are hugely disappointed the council has refused to listen to traders and businesses’ plea to immediately lift the chokehold of the bus gates on the future of Aberdeen’s city centre
“Struggling businesses needed a Common Sense Compromise reached today, instead the council has kicked it into the long grass, other than a minor concession on the Market Street bus gate that simply doesn’t go far enough.
“Traders don’t have the luxury of time to wait for more feasibility studies. They wanted and needed action today – not reports back “as soon as possible”. And there is still no mention of looking at the economic impact of the bus gates on businesses.
“The city council has today let down the city traders, put many of them at risk of going under and jeopardised the future of the heart of Aberdeen.
“At the very least these new studies must be expedited as quickly as possible and full and meaningful engagement take place with businesses and business organisations as a matter of urgency.”