PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS PROPOSAL WENT TO ABERDEEN CITY COUNCILLORS FOR THEIR APPROVAL – NOT ABERDEENSHIRE COUNCILLORS – AS THIS SECTION OF THE A944 IS UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL. THIS POST WAS INTENDED TO INFORM WARD 13 RESIDENTS OF THE PROPOSAL AND TO GIVE THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO LODGE ANY OBJECTIONS WITH THE CITY COUNCIL.

Proposed reduction of speed limit from 50mph to 40mph and introduction of shared cycleway / footway                                          

As a result of the new signalised junction replacing the existing roundabout on the A944, Aberdeen to Alford road at Westhill, it is considered that a new reduced speed limit of 40mph be introduced to replace the existing 50mph limit within the vicinity of the junction for road safety reasons.

Due to the proposed further development along this corridor as well as the AWPR interchange, it is proposed that this opportunity is taken to reduce the speed limit to 40mph on the section of road between the roundabout at Westhill and the new 40mph speed limit at the Ardene House Veterinary Hospital. Reducing the speed limit to 40mph will decrease the number of changes along this section of road, therefore causing less confusion for motorists.

The proposed 40mph speed limit will compliment the existing speed limits within the Aberdeenshire road network and has been discussed in detail with officers from the neighbouring authority.

 A new shared cycleway / footway link on the A944 and B9119 into the new development has also been agreed. The sections on the B9119 and A944 within the boundary of Aberdeen City Council will be included within the Traffic Regulation Order. This will tie into the section on the A944 within Aberdeenshire Council’s jurisdiction, which will be included within their Traffic Regulation Order.

 Please note that Aberdeen City Council propose the following change to the speed limit:

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984

THE ABERDEEN CITY COUNCIL (A944 / B9119, ABERDEEN) (40 MPH SPEED LIMIT) ORDER 201(X)

Aberdeen City Council proposes to make “The Aberdeen City Council (A944 / B9119, Aberdeen) (40mph Speed Limit) Order 201(X)” in terms of its powers under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. The effect of the order will be to reduce the existing 50 mph mandatory speed limit on certain lengths of the A944, Aberdeen, and the B9119, Aberdeen, to a mandatory speed limit of 40 mph. The existing lengths of carriageway concerned on the A944 are located between the Kingswells Roundabout and Bishopdams Bridge. The schedule below highlights the lengths concerned, but is also inclusive of carriageway already subject to a 40 mph speed limit. The new A944 westbound slip road leading to the B9119 would also be subject to a 40 mph speed limit.

Full details of the proposal are to be found in the draft order, which, together with maps showing the intended measures and an accompanying statement of the Council’s reasons for promoting them, may be examined during normal office hours on weekdays from 23 July, 2014, to 12 August, 2014, in the offices of the roads officials in the Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure department, at Marischal College, Aberdeen.

It is recommended that anyone visiting Marischal College to view any of the documents should make an appointment to do so, in order that a member of staff can be present to offer an explanation if necessary. Anyone unable to visit Marischal College can telephone (01224 522319) to speak to one of the officials.

Anyone wishing to object to the proposed order should send details of the grounds for objection, including their name and address, in writing to the undersigned or to trafficmanagement@aberdeencity.gov.uk during the statutory objection period which also runs from 23 July, 2014, to 12 August, 2014, inclusively.

Any person who submits an objection to a road traffic order should be aware that any objection made will be available to members of the Committee, available for inspection by members of the public, distributed to the press, and will form part of the agenda pack which is available on the Council’s website. To that extent, however, they are redacted, with e-mail addresses, telephone numbers and signatures removed from this correspondence.

Jane MacEachran, Head of Legal and Democratic Services, Aberdeen City Council, Town House, Aberdeen, AB10 1AQ

Schedule

A944

Eastbound carriageway, from Bishopdams Bridge, eastwards to a point 132 metres or thereby east of its junction with the C89C.

Westbound carriageway, from a point 249 metres or thereby east of its junction with the C89C, westwards to the point of Bishopdams Bridge.

A944 (westbound slip road leading to B9119)

In its entirety.

B9119

From its junction with the A944, westwards for a distance of 188 metres or thereby.