Changes to the No 15 Bus route - Safety concerns.

First Aberdeen are introducing changes to the No15 bus service.  From 3rd July the route will run between the Countesswells Development at Blacktop and Balnagask.... no longer running to the Beach or including the section that previously visited the Craigiebuckler terminal.

The Community Council was asked for comment on the route back in April and voiced serious concerns about the safety and appropriateness of a service bus travelling between Countesswells Road, at Robert Gordons playing field, and the new Countesswells Development at Blacktop.

We wrote to First Aberdeen, the City Council, the Traffic Commissioners and Police Scotland pointing out that the road is narrow, without defined kerb edges, unlit, potholed and, in the past has been difficult to negotiate due to water draining from fields and snow drifting behind field walls. Over the past few years the road has been subjected to restrictions and closures due to road repairs and cable laying.

Most importantly we voiced concerns about the safety of other road users, particularly pedestrians, joggers and cyclists on this narrow stretch of road.   

We suggested that this part of the route was wholly unsuitable, and dangerous and asked First Aberdeen to rethink the changes.

We are now advised by First Aberdeen that they have "carried out route testing" and concluded that the extension of the service 15 route is suitable for "safe operation using single decker vehicles" and that the changes will come into effect from Sunday 3rd July.

The Community Council disagrees, maintaning that there is a road safety issue, and is in communication with First Aberdeen asking them to urgently re-consider this part of the route and inviting them to a site meeting to discuss the issues.

The proposed amended 15 route is as follows:

Service 15 / 15B Countesswells – Balnagask via Airyhall, Seafield Shops and City Centre

The service 15 will no longer serve Craigiebuckler or the Beach, with the two areas being served by the services 11A and 13 respectively as aforementioned.

The service will operate between Countesswells Development and Balnagask via Airyhall, on a 30-minute frequency, also replacing the service 20 in Balnagask. 

The service from Seafield Road will operate the following in both directions:

• Countesswells Road, Springfield Road, Craigton Road, Airyhall Avenue, Countesswells Road, Countesswells Avenue, Coutesswells Road, then will operate a 1-way route around Countesswells Development.

As a result of this route change the entire length of Countesswells Avenue will be served providing a bus service to new housing in the area. 

An evening service will operate as a service 15B between Guild Street and Countesswells Development only and will follow the same route until Seafield Shops (Countesswells Rd) but will then operate directly to Countesswells via Countesswells Road and will not serve the Airyhall area, but services will still be available on the Council supported 15A (Monday to Friday).

The route map is provided below: