“Following many phone calls, emails and messages on social media, I have the following update on the change of speed limit from 50mph to 40mph.
As I posted previously, Aberdeen City Council consulted on this change in July 2014. According to the Minutes I have received from a City Council meeting on 4th September, the only objection received was from Westhill & Elrick Community Council which you can see below as well as the City Council’s response to that objection:
“5.11.1 An objection to the introduction of the proposed 40mph speed limit on the A944 between the Prime Four Development and the City Boundary at Westhill has been received from the Westhill and Elrick Community Council. The objector feels that the proposed introduction of a 40mph speed limit is simply to reduce driver confusion by introducing a uniform speed limit whilst increasing driver frustration and encouraging drivers to ignore the speed limit, especially as this is a dual carriageway with few dwelling houses. The objector also mentions that the sections of the A944, Lang Stracht between the Skene Road junction and James Cocker roses, and the B9119, Skene Road from the A944 junction to Groats Road are currently single carriageway with a 50mph speed limit imposed.”
5.11.2 Response to objection
The proposed restrictions are intended to rationalise the speed limit on the section of the A944, Aberdeen to Alford road on the section between Kingswells and Westhill in light of current and future developments including the AWPR interchange at the Five Mile Garage. This reduction will tie in with the 40mph speeds limits currently in place at the Arnhall Development, Westhill and the Prime Four Development at Kingswells. The current 50mph speed limits on the A944 and B9119 to the east of Kingswells are to be reassessed in light of the proposed development at the Den of Maidencraig.
Given the aforementioned, it is recommended that the reduced speed limit of 40mph be introduced on the section of A944 between the Arnhall and Prime Four developments to the extent highlighted in Appendix 1 and the order therefore produced to reflect this.”
Aberdeen City Council also advised me today that the final written order for the change in the speed limit was advertised in the press on the 11th February with the date for implementation as yesterday.
Two VMS signs were due to go out yesterday, but due to emergency works by their In-house contractor this was delayed until today. Those who travelled home tonight will have noticed these, as did I. Unfortunately some motorists did not!
Safe driving.