Consultation launched on future options for Peterhead’s Marischal Street
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Aberdeenshire Council is consulting businesses and the local community over potential options for the future of Marischal Street in Peterhead town centre.
Since the opening of neighbouring Chapel Street to traffic several years ago, complaints have regularly been received around safety, with restrictions on Marischal Street often being overlooked by motorists resulting in conflict between pedestrians and vehicles.
In light of those safety concerns, local councillors ordered a review of the traffic order and a group comprising Aberdeenshire Council officers and elected members – supported by various stakeholders including the council’s Public Transport Unit, Stagecoach, Police Scotland, Rediscover Peterhead (BID) and Peterhead Community Council - discussed the matter and potential options to remedy the issue.
One of the proposed recommendations to come from those discussions was the full pedestrianisation of Marischal Street from Errol Street to Chapel Street which would permanently remove all vehicular traffic from Marischal Street - 24 hours a day.
To mitigate against any potential impact on deliveries to some businesses, the council is proposing the introduction of additional measures such as designated loading bays on Erroll Street and in the Maiden Street car-park.
Additional parking would also be created adjacent to Buchan House, thereby removing the current prohibition of waiting, and a build-out for traffic to slow down when entering Errol Street is also proposed.
Local businesses and Peterhead Community Council are now being consulted and have until June 18 to make comment on the proposals and future mitigation measures.
Meanwhile, if any residents have a view on the proposals, they can email buchan@aberdeenshire.gov.uk
Principal roads engineer for Buchan, Stewart Ingram, explained: “We had very constructive discussions with stakeholders and had hoped to go out to consultation last year, however that was delayed as a result of the Covid pandemic.
“I would now encourage all businesses and interested parties to participate fully in the consultation, the outcomes of which will feature within the report going before the Buchan Area Committee later this year.”
