A councillor from Deeside has pledged never to shop in Aberdeen city centre again after being fined £100 for inadvertently driving through a bus-only gate, highlighting growing frustrations among shoppers and traders about the city’s controversial traffic restrictions.
A Deeside councillor has pledged never to return to shopping in Aberdeen city centre after encountering a hefty fine for inadvertently driving through a bus gate. Geva Blackett, who resides in Braemar, found herself ensnared by the city’s controversial traffic restrictions while attempting to navigate from the Bon Accord Centre to Union Square.
Blackett, who visits Aberdeen roughly every two months for personal grooming and grocery shopping, had hoped to combine her trip to the hairdressers with a visit to the recently refurbished Union Square, seeking to pick up items such as strawberries for her grandchildren. Her plans took an unexpected turn when she accidentally drove through a designated bus route, a misstep that resulted in a “very threatening” fine of £100, with the option to reduce it to £50 if paid immediately.
Speaking to The Press and Journal, Blackett admitted that, as a resident of Aberdeenshire, she was unfamiliar with the bus gates. In an effort to find the most efficient route, she relied on Google Maps, which misleadingly directed her through Guild Street, an area now restricted to buses and taxis. “I just knew…,” Blackett recounted, reflecting on the confusion that struck her upon realising her mistake.
Business stakeholders in Aberdeen have previously expressed concerns over the impact of these “anti-car” measures on local commerce, with indications that foot traffic has diminished. The system, which has reportedly issued over £3 million in fines since its introduction, is seen as a deterrent to shoppers—especially those from surrounding areas who may not be accustomed to the city’s driving dynamics.
Blackett is not alone in her frustration; she has joined a chorus of voices from the business community, who argue that the bus gates are negatively affecting retail operations in the area. Recent campaigns led by local traders aim to challenge the current traffic restrictions, citing a drop in customer access and complications with deliveries as critical issues. These efforts resonate with Blackett, who feels sympathy for retailers facing dwindling customer numbers.
Furthermore, Blackett is backing initiatives against the bus gate fines, which may yet impose a financial burden on the council. If successful, the traders’ campaign could force the city to refund approximately £1 million worth of fines—an amount that underscores the public’s growing discontent with the bus gate system.
Data from the council indicate that measures were put in place, such as improved signage and road markings, to enhance visibility of the bus gates. Nonetheless, passengers remain dissatisfied, claiming navigation apps have not accurately updated to reflect these changes, resulting in unintentional fines.
With local businesses urging the council to reconsider the implications of the bus gates, a petition on Change.org highlights further anxiety among residents and visitors about accessing the city without risk of fines. As Blackett now resolves to shift her shopping to Westhill, it remains to be seen whether the council can address the growing concerns surrounding these restrictions and their impact on local commerce.
In light of ongoing discussions, a recognition of the potential economic repercussions may prompt a reevaluation of the bus gate system. However, until meaningful changes are made, both residents like Blackett and businesses continue to feel the pressure of the current traffic measures, with many assessing their relationship with the city centre anew.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/aberdeen-aberdeenshire/6760217/geva-blackett-aberdeen-bus-gate-fine/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/transport/6358826/aberdeen-bus-gates-fines/ – In just two months, Aberdeen’s new bus gate system issued over £600,000 in fines. The system, which includes bus gates on Bridge Street, Guild Street, and Market Street, has been criticized by drivers and businesses. Some retailers claim the bus gates are deterring shoppers, leading to decreased footfall and even store closures. The council has implemented measures like blue road markings and clearer signage to improve visibility and reduce fines. The funds from these fines are allocated for infrastructural projects.
- https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/aberdeen-aberdeenshire/6521696/aberdeen-bus-gates-campaign-traders-issue-11th-hour-plea/ – Aberdeen city centre traders, including those from Union Street and the west end, have united to campaign against the bus gate system. They argue that the restrictions are harming their businesses by reducing customer access and complicating deliveries. The campaign, supported by various business owners, aims to raise awareness and seek changes to the current traffic measures to support local commerce.
- https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/aberdeen-aberdeenshire/6559307/one-year-of-aberdeen-bus-gates/ – A year after the introduction of Aberdeen’s bus gates, nearly 50,000 fines were issued, totaling over £3 million. The fines have been used to fund infrastructural projects, including free late-night bus services. Despite these initiatives, the bus gates have faced criticism for confusing drivers and negatively impacting local businesses, leading to calls for reevaluation and potential changes to the system.
- https://www.change.org/p/re-evaluate-the-bus-gate-system-in-aberdeen-city-centre – A petition on Change.org, initiated by Sheena Anderson, urges Aberdeen City Council to reconsider the bus gate system in the city centre. The petition highlights concerns that the system has made it difficult for residents and visitors to access the city centre by car, negatively affecting local businesses. It also points out that navigation apps like Google Maps have not been updated to reflect the bus gates, leading to inadvertent fines for drivers.
- https://www.aberdeeninspired.com/article/council-admits-no-economic-research-on-aberdeen-bus-gates – Aberdeen City Council has admitted that no specific research was conducted on the economic impact of the bus gates on city centre businesses before their implementation. This oversight has led to decreased footfall and revenue for local traders, prompting calls for a ‘Common Sense Compromise’ to address the negative effects of the bus gates on the local economy.
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvgl7y62q1mo – Aberdeen City Council is introducing free festive weekend late-night bus services funded by bus gate fines. The 10 routes will operate from midnight to 03:30 on Fridays and Saturdays, connecting the city centre with other parts of Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. The initiative aims to support the night-time economy and is funded by the fines collected from the controversial bus gate system.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative references recent events about bus gate fines and campaigns in Aberdeen city centre, with no indication of outdated individuals or roles. Coverage relates to ongoing local issues with bus gates, and references multiple sources dated within the last few years. No evidence suggests recycled or press release content, supporting a high freshness rating.
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
Direct quotes from Geva Blackett are attributed to a local interview with The Press and Journal, a reputable local publication. No earlier sources of these specific quotes are found online, suggesting they are original and directly sourced rather than repeated from prior materials.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from The Press and Journal, a well-established regional news outlet in northeast Scotland known for credible local reporting. While not a global outlet, its reliability on local matters like this is generally strong, though it is not a national or international heavy-weight like BBC or Reuters.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about bus gate fines, the confusion caused by navigation apps, and local business opposition are well supported by related contemporaneous reports on Aberdeen’s traffic system. The reported fine amounts and reactions align with known local policy and public sentiment, confirming plausibility. Some claims about council refunds and petitions are ongoing and cannot yet be fully verified but are plausible.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is recent, sourced from a reputable regional publication, and contains direct interview quotes with no evidence of being recycled or a press release. The claims about Aberdeen’s bus gate fines and local reactions are plausible and consistent with known issues. This justifies a high confidence assessment and an overall pass for factual reliability.
