Ludo Thierry

The 1st anniversary of the opening of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Road has seen stats released which demonstrate an even greater reduction in HGV traffic on the target routes than was anticipated. This massive project was edged into place by the SNP Scottish Govt in the teeth of massive political opposition from ALL the usual suspects. (Proof positive that ‘smart’ road building projects can deliver green benefits and economic benefits at the same time – these ‘goods’ are not, necessarily, mutually exclusive). Link and snippets below:

https://www.grampianonline.co.uk/news/msp-welcomes-traffic-figures-on-the-anniversary-of-the-awpr-opening-191822/

Transport Scotland has released an informational snapshot on the first anniversary of the AWPR fully opening to traffic (February 19) indicating that HGV traffic has significantly reduced on the A92 (previously the A90) since the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route/Balmedie to Tipperty (AWPR/B-T) project fully opened to traffic.

Depending on the location, HGV traffic along the A92 corridor through Aberdeen has reduced between 49 per cent and 61 per cent when comparing January to June 2019 data with comparable 2014 data.

This reduction is greater than the 20 to 36 per cent reduction originally predicted and suggests that the AWPR/B-T may be more successful than anticipated in attracting HGV traffic from the local road network.

Welcoming the news Gillian Martin MSP said: “The opening of the AWPR last year has been a huge investment for the north-east, reducing pollution and cutting journey times for commuters.

“The biggest positive has been reduced congestion, and this will have health and safety benefits, as well as making a real difference to people’s work life balance, and I say that as someone who commuted into Aberdeen from the ‘shire for over twenty years!”