Bus Route 15 - Update
During the trip the bus encountered about a dozen cars, a jogger, and a large delivery lorry. Every car had to straddle the white demarcation line at the side of the carriageway and, on a couple of occasions, leave the road into an opening to let the bus pass. When the jogger was encountered running toward the bus, the bus came to a halt to let them, and a car travelling in the same direction, pass.
The lorry was encountered at a point where the lorry managed to pull off the road to let the bus pass.
Throughout the journey the bus speed did not exceed 30mph and a tailback of six cars was observed on the way out to the Countesswells Development.
All in all it was an eventful journey with plenty of examples underlining our concerns for road safety and convenience. There were no passengers on the bus either on the outward or city bound journeys.
The First Aberdeen representative consistently denied that there were any problems and suggested that many bus routes across Scotland, and in Aberdeen, were narrow. He said his drivers were all trained to the highest level and that the route was suitable. When asked about using the Queens Road corridor he said that the 15 route had been developed to allow Countesswells residents to access the new Aldi store at Countesswells Road. He had no complaints from drivers but conceded he hadn’t asked for views. He had favourable comments from Countesswells residents.
Throughout the journey the bus speed did not exceed 30mph and a tailback of six cars was observed on the way out to the Countesswells Development.
All in all it was an eventful journey with plenty of examples underlining our concerns for road safety and convenience. There were no passengers on the bus either on the outward or city bound journeys.
First Aberdeen were quite firm that there were no plans to change the route. ACC Roads Operations were concerned about the erosion of road edges and had already received claims form drivers claiming the potholes at the side of the carriageway had damaged their wheels and tyres.
The ACC Public Transport Unit are to meet with the other council reps and consider a way forward.
The ACC Public Transport Unit are to meet with the other council reps and consider a way forward.
We will keep you updated.
Worth noting that we have twice encountered the number 15 bus beyond the Countesswells development. On these occasions the Kingswells roundabout has been used for the bus to turn around.
ReplyDeleteNoted yesterday at the sharp bend between the junctions of Countesswells Road and the turn off to the housing estate the number 15 bus has to stop if traffic is approaching as it needs to straddle the opposite side of the road. The road is not fit for this size of bus.
ReplyDeleteA shuttle bus should be made available which goes between the park and ride, Countesswells housing estate and Aldi.
This would give the Countesswells residents multiple connections for bus routes.
If the bus slows down speeding traffic on Countesswells Road this can only be a positive for cyclists, pedestrians, horse riders etc. This road has suffered from pot holing for many years, before it was a bus route, as does any road.
ReplyDeleteOverall I think this is a positive service and wish a bus could be routed via Craigton Road to slow traffic speeds which our local Councillor has described as ‘scarey’!