Traders and business organisations have flocked to the Common Sense Compromise campaign. Image - Courtesy of DC Thomson
Aberdeen Inspired says the city council's delay to a decision on the future of the city centre bus gates is a disappointment – and a Common Sense Compromise must be reached at an emergency summit meeting to be held within 14 days.
Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, said: “Struggling city centre businesses who have seen footfall and revenue drop dramatically since the bus gates were implemented really wanted and needed a decision yesterday.
“There is only a small crumb of comfort that this matter will be progressed in the next fortnight. Time is not a luxury ailing traders have.
“We cannot over-emphasise the importance of finding a way forward that our many hundreds of businesses can get behind and one which provides the wider public with a confidence that the city centre is accessible and welcoming.
“We need a common sense compromise – one that pays heed to the economic impact on city centre traders and to the vital need to ensure the heart of Aberdeen is open for business and seen to be open for business.”
City centre traders have flocked to a P&J campaign – backed by Aberdeen Inspired, Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, and Our Union Street – calling for a Common Sense Compromise, putting forward an alternative system as “the minimum needed to keep businesses alive”.
Almost 10,000 people have now signed an online petition calling for the council to listen and compromise as city centre traders say falling footfall since the bus gates came in have left them struggling.
You can read more about the emergency summit here
You can sign the Common Sense Compromise petition here.