City officials in Aberdeen are grappling with a controversial £323 million proposal for a rapid transit bus system that critics claim is “dead in the water.” The latest developments reveal a stark increase from the initial estimate of £150 million, raising questions about the project's viability and its potential impact on the city’s economy. The council has been working on the project for over three years, with plans that echo the Belfast Glider system, which has seen a positive uptick in public transport usage since its launch in 2018. The proposed routes aim to connect key areas, including Blackdog to Westhill and Craibstone to Portlethen, with the hope of boosting local services.

However, the rapidly escalating costs and the ten-year timeline for project implementation have cast a shadow over its future. The increase in estimated expenditure has coincided with community resistance to certain traffic initiatives in the city centre. The implementation of bus gates on Guild Street, Market Street, and Bridge Street—designed to reduce congestion and facilitate the ART scheme—has been roundly opposed by business owners and residents alike. Planning officials insist these restrictions are crucial for securing £150 million in grants aimed at funding the ART initiative, yet they have faced persistent backlash, leading to a campaign raising funds to challenge these measures in court.

Tory group leader Richard Brooks has been vocal in his opposition, claiming that the council's leadership has sacrificed the interests of local businesses for what he describes as a “farcical” project. He articulated a sentiment echoed by many in the community: “Our city is in tatters under this SNP/Lib Dem anti-car directive... I have yet to find one person who believes the bus gates were ever a good idea.” Brooks argues that the bus gates have impoverished the high street, transforming it into a “ghost town,” and he urges a reassessment of the entire rapid transit plan.

The council's programme manager, Kirsty Chalmers, has countered that the proposed bus priority route could effectively reverse a 20-year decline in bus passenger numbers. She highlighted plans for 24-hour bus lanes intended to expedite journeys, which would involve constructing 30 miles of roadway and integrating 70 junctions. The ART initiative aligns with broader efforts in the region to enhance public transport accessibility and appeal, aiming to reduce the carbon footprint and stimulate economic activity.

In contrasting views, some proponents within the ruling coalition maintain that the rapid transit project is a necessary leap into modern public transport infrastructure. SNP transport vice-convener Miranda Radley argued that the success of the Belfast system provides a model for what could be achieved in Aberdeen, stating, “The Aberdeen Rapid Transit could bring our city centre and public transport network into the 21st century.”

Despite the divided opinions, clarity on the local authority's stance is expected soon as council leaders convene next week to formally discuss the ART plans.

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Source: Noah Wire Services