Aberdeen City Council plan to make the controversial Aberdeen Bus Gates permanent.  However, they cannot do so without the Scottish Ministers’ consent.  This will give the people of Aberdeen, including city centre business affected by these controversial traffic measures, the opportunity to make their case before an independent Reporter for why the current scheme should not be adopted.  Should the Council fail to seek the Ministers’ consent and deprive the people of Aberdeen their right to have a say, we will have no option but to challenge the Council in court.

“I have been a local businessman for 60 years and have never witnessed a Council so out of touch with the public (their voters). Bus gates are destroying the city centre and need to be scrapped."   Norman Esslemont, Local Retailer

“As a result of misguided and unresearched planning, many folk are no longer coming to the city centre due to the uncertainty of how to undertake a visit without being fined.“    Rosemary Michie, Country Ways

”The reckless installation of bus gates has devastated my once thriving business, at the same time alienated the public.“   City Centre Business Owner 

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Our Goal

Our principal goal is to prevent the Council from making the current Experimental Traffic Regulation Order permanent.  Our broader goal is to advocate for a more sensible proposal for regulating traffic in Aberdeen City Centre that supports business and reflects the wishes of the people of Aberdeen.  Local businesses have already contributed to a review by leading law firm Burness Paull of the process the Council has undertaken, at a cost of £6,000. They have confirmed that the Council's approach is arguably unlawful.  Burness Paull previously succeeded in challenging a similar traffic order that Highland Council proposed for Inverness city centre.

How You Can Help

Now, we need to prepare for the next stage: researching the case against making the bus gates permanent, which may include the instruction of reports on the economic and traffic impact of the proposed measures. To ensure we are able to make our case as strongly as possible, we need to raise £35,000 to cover legal and other professional costs.

Why Your Support Matters

This is not just a fight for local businesses; it’s about ensuring that the city centre remains accessible and welcoming for everyone. We need to send a strong message to the Council that they must listen to the thousands of people in Aberdeen and the surrounding areas who are negatively affected by the bus gates. Together, we can reclaim the city centre we once loved.

Make Your Voice Heard
Please consider donating £10 or more to our crowdfunding campaign and show your support for Aberdeen’s local businesses and community. Every contribution, big or small, will help make a difference.

Thank You for Your Support!