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Christmas rush sees city centre traffic levels soar

Aberdeen city centre is becoming increasingly busy as Christmas shopping gets underway in earnest.

Peak traffic times have already been significantly disrupted as shoppers take advantage of stores opening later and weekend traffic has been much heavier than usual. There have already been extensive delays on the Market Street/Virginia Street corridor as a result of car park capacity being exhausted.

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 and a free retro “hopper” bus serving the city centre.

Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure director Gordon McIntosh said: “The city sees a huge increase in traffic every year in the run-up to Christmas and this year has been particularly busy so far, with increased traffic levels expected on an almost daily basis as Christmas draws nearer.

“While the influx of shoppers is great news for the local economy, the traffic levels they generate can cause delays and a great deal of frustration. I would encourage the travelling public to make use of the many public transport options available to them, consider car sharing, or shopping outwith the busiest times to avoid getting caught up in the rush.

“Aberdeen is well served for parking and those who know the city are advised to take advantage of the many car parks it has to offer – or even better, to take the bus or train into town.”

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 will be 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 busier than usual.

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

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