Aberdeen Airport could ban traffic on busy road to cut congestion
11.01.08
Commuters could be banned from a busy road near Aberdeen Airport in order to cut congestion for passengers, the Evening Express reports. Airport owner BAA is looking at closing off Kirkhill Road to ease congestion around the terminal.
Every day motorists try to avoid traffic queues through Dyce by taking alternative routes to and from Kirkhill Industrial Estate. BAA says that this causes big problems, particularly during the evening peak, when drivers cannot get out of the airport because motorists heading for the A96 make it difficult for vehicles to get onto Argyll Road.
The proposal is part of a wide range of measures aimed at improving access for air travellers. It is included in the airport's new Surface Access Strategy, which also proposes a major switch to public transport over the next five years.
BAA wants to create a bus lane from the A96 Aberdeen-Inverness road and allow more taxis to pick up at the airport. The airport will also consider shutting Kirkhill Road at the junction of Forties Road at 'peak times to non-airport traffic'.
Under the proposals airport traffic would still be able to use the Kirkhill Road route. However, airport bosses have not yet disclosed how they would enforce the closure on other drives.
Airport managing director Kevin Brown told the newspaper: 'This is a potentially controversial proposal but one that we and our partners will investigate thoroughly. An independent study has shown that, at peak periods, an enormous proportion of traffic on the airport's road network - up to 70% - is attributed to the surrounding industrial estates.'
'This heavy concentration of non-airport traffic generates distinct peaks of traffic, with a detrimental effect on those specifically travelling to or from the airport. Traffic is backed up trying to get onto the Aberdeen-Inverness road. It all stems from the A96.'
'The purpose of the strategy is to improve access to and from the airport for all road users - including private cars. In addition a large number of new airport parking spaces are planned for those flying from Aberdeen.'
However, Conservative Councillor Alan Donnelly, who works at the airport, said: 'Closing these perceived rat-runs is not the answer. All it will do is displace the traffic somewhere else.
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