New traffic light system looks to be installed on bypass roundabout
17 January 2020
A new traffic light system looks to be installed on the Kingswells south roundabout on the city bypass (AWPR/B-T) to improve safety of the junction.
The cost of the installation would be funded by Transport Scotland which was also the principle funder of the new trunk road, along with Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeenshire Council. The cost of the ongoing maintenance of the traffic lights would be met by Aberdeen City Council.
The traffic lights would be installed at the roundabout following approval of a report to the City Council’s operational delivery committee in March. Aberdeen City Council is the Roads Authority for the junction, and would be arranging for the work to be carried out.
It is anticipated that following approval, work would start on the new traffic lights within weeks.
Aberdeen City Council transport spokesperson Councillor Sandra Macdonald said: “Council officers have been working with Transport Scotland and Police Scotland to identify measures for the A944 roundabout to improve safety, and the proposal to install traffic lights has been agreed in principal with Transport Scotland
“The traffic lights proposal is due to be considered by operational delivery committee in March.”
The AWPR/B-T project has had a transformational effect on people’s daily lives in the north-east, and has improved the quality of life while supporting the wider economy as a whole.
The project has resulted in reduced and more reliable journey times, reduced congestion and hence improved public transport reliability as well as opportunities for future service expansion, and more people experiencing improved air quality and lowered levels of road traffic noise.
Since it fully opened in February 2019, there has been widespread public support for the completed project.
A spokesperson for Transport Scotland said: “We explored a number of options which could improve the operation and safety of this junction along with Aberdeen City Council and Police Scotland.
“We expect the installation of traffic signals will improve operation of this junction and therefore enhance the safety of road users by providing better opportunities to exit the trunk road safely, as well as helping to reduce the speed of traffic travelling around the roundabout.
“We continue to advise motorists to adjust their driving to align with road conditions and always to approach any junction with care.”