Ian Yuill

Liberal Democrat councillor for Mannofield, Airyhall, Braeside, Broomhill, Garthdee, Kaimhill and Ruthrieston Learn more

Garthdee roundabout pedestrian crossing safety campaign update

by Ian Yuill on 6 February, 2019

Photo of pedesrrian crossing uphill from Garthdee roundaboutTransport Scotland’s Road Safety Manager has told me the pedestrian crossing on South Anderson Drive just uphill from the Garthdee roundabout will be considered as a possible site for road safety cameras.

I have repeatedly urged Transport Scotland to install red light cameras at this pedestrian crossing because some drivers put people using the crossing at risk by going through red lights.

The full text of the letter I received from Transport Scotland’s Road Safety Manager is:

Dear Councillor Yuill

A92- South Anderson Drive-Garthdee roundabout

Thank you for your letter dated 03 December on behalf of one of your constituent’s regarding the above subject matter. Road Safety is of paramount importance to Scottish Government. Transport Scotland assesses the safety performance of the trunk road network on an annual basis. The trunk road safety annual assessment process is a robust, evidence based approach which ensures that the funding available can be prioritised to those locations that offer the possibility of delivering the greatest casualty accident savings across the country to support effectively the delivery of the Scottish Government’s 2020 casualty reduction targets.

On the request that consideration be given to installing red light cameras at the pedestrian crossing immediately to the north of the Garthdee roundabout on the A92 South Anderson Drive in Aberdeen. I would invite you to note that safety cameras are deployed through the Scottish Safety Camera Programme primarily where they have the greatest potential to reduce injury collisions. This includes red light cameras with sites selected in accordance with national criteria contained in the Scottish Safety Camera Handbook.

An annual safety camera site prioritisation process is underway to determine new safety cameras sites across our road network. While it is too early to advise on the outcomes of that process, this national exercise acts to ensure the right camera technology is in the right place at the right time. It involves a range of partners including the three regional safety camera units, all thirty-three road authorities and Police Scotland. The North Safety Camera Unit are working to identify potential new camera sites which meet the minimum criteria requirements, while at the same time assessing the performance of existing enforcement strategies. This will include the location you refer to in respect of both collisions and speeding and if warranted consider whether safety cameras are a potential solution.

Furthermore, The Scottish Government is committed to making Scotland’s roads safe for all, and all motorists have a part to play in keeping our roads safe by driving responsibly and within the law. Driver behaviour such as that described in your email presents an increased risk to not only themselves but to other road users, and I note your particular concerns about the danger this presents on the A92 at South Anderson Drive-Garthdee Roundabout.

In the meantime we will continue to monitor road safety at this location.

I hope you find this helpful.

Yours sincerely

Derek Williamson

Road Safety Manager

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   5 Comments

5 Responses

  1. Ruth Cowie says:

    It would be good if the crossing at the Broomhill roundabout is included. Far too many close calls as cars go through the red light here.

  2. John M says:

    Well I would have thought following Dundee’s lead in installing pedestrian bridges after roundabouts would have been a better idea. All these crossings immediately after a roundabout do is cause traffic to brake suddenly after exiting leading to the bigger chance of a collision. Also, the way the lights are sequenced leads to increased traffic congestion in rush hours.

    • Ian Yuill says:

      Bridges certainly ensure pedestrians can cross a road in safety. The Kingsway in Dundee though has much wider verges than South Anderson Drive which makes it easier to install bridges.

  3. Wendy Lowe says:

    The council should have insisted on a pedestrian bridge at this crossing. It is so ludicrous that travellers from the south have suddenly to stop to allow shoppers to cross a main thoroughfare. Certainly shows the lack of intelligence of the planners on the council who site crossings so near to busy roundabouts.

    • Ian Yuill says:

      South Anderson Drive is controlled by Transport Scotland and not by the city council. Transport Scotland – not the council – makes all decisions about South Anderson Drive.

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