High Street crackdown

High Street crackdown

A crackdown was launched today on drivers entering the pedestrian area at the bottom of Old Aberdeen High street.

In March 2007, a 72 hour traffic evaluation revealed 1007 vehicles entered the pedestrian area from both directions.

This does not included local buses which are allowed access.

As Aberdeen University Freshers Week gets underway this week, Grampian Police are starting off with a 'softly softly' approach to the problem before enforcing the ban on vehicular traffic from next week.

Local Constable Steve McKenzie said: "There will be a week of education from today. This will involve a leaflet drop to local residents giving suitable advice as well as issuing leaflets to all drivers as and when they enter the pedestrian area.

"From Monday 1 October, officers, assisted by Neighbourhood and Community Wardens will be issuing non-endorsable tickets to drivers. This will mean a £30 spot fine for offenders."

He added: "We are using the Aberdeen University website to inform staff and students while letters have been sent by the Force's hackney office to all taxi firms. The University has told all their contractors to get the message across to their staff."

The problem involves the pedestrian area between University Road and Meston Walk. Pedestrian-only signs are located either side of the area. At the University Road side traffic lights regulate the buses which use this part of the road.

The High Street from Meston Walk northbound is one-way so that all traffic emerging from Meston Walk should turn left up High Street. However, drivers ignore both the one-way directional arrow and the pedestrian area sign and drive into the pedestrian area before exiting onto University Road.

The pedestrian area is entered at the University Road side from College Bounds and University Road.

He explained: "Part of the problem seems to be that when drivers see the traffic light change to green they think they can go straight ahead.

"This has been a persistent and long running problem. While some drivers, are genuinely unaware of the pedestrian-only regulation, most simply choose to ignore it for their own convenience.

"Clearly there is a risk to pedestrians from vehicles which should not be there. We are determined to educate drivers and make the area safer. Freshers Week seemed the ideal time to highlight the problem."

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