Aberdeenshire MSP welcomes the anniversary of the AWPR opening
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Aberdeenshire East MSP Gillian Martin has welcomed data released this week which shows big cuts in HGV traffic through Aberdeen.
Transport Scotland has released an informational snapshot on the first anniversary of the AWPR fully opening to traffic (February 19) indicating that HGV traffic has significantly reduced on the A92 (previously the A90) since the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route/Balmedie to Tipperty (AWPR/B-T) project fully opened to traffic.
Depending on the location, HGV traffic along the A92 corridor through Aberdeen has reduced between 49 per cent and 61 per cent when comparing January to June 2019 data with comparable 2014 data.
This reduction is greater than the 20 to 36 per cent reduction originally predicted and suggests that the AWPR/B-T may be more successful than anticipated in attracting HGV traffic from the local road network.
Welcoming the news the MSP said: “The opening of the AWPR last year has been a huge investment for the north-east, reducing pollution and cutting journey times for commuters.
“The biggest positive has been reduced congestion, and this will have health and safety benefits, as well as making a real difference to people’s work life balance, and I say that as someone who commuted into Aberdeen from the ‘shire for over twenty years!.
“This long-awaited project is truly one the SNP government’s best achievements for the north-east, I look forward to connectivity in the area continuing to be a government priority.”
Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity Michael Matheson said: “The AWPR/B-T’s first anniversary is a significant milestone and it is important to recognise the transformational effect this project has had on people’s daily lives in the north east.
"The benefits of the project are plain for everyone to see, enhancing the quality of life for tens of thousands of people.
“In addition to the widely reported improvements to journey times for drivers using the AWPR/B-T, it is clear from the reduction in the proportion of HGVs on the A92 that businesses are benefitting from the option of a faster and more reliable route to and from the north east.
"Equally, other road users and communities alike benefit greatly from HGVs transferring to the new trunk road.
“This is supported by initial reporting which shows a reduction in congestion through the city, including areas which are susceptible to congestion such as the Bridge of Dee, where there has been noticeable reductions in queue lengths and durations.
“The AWPR is also providing the local authorities with an opportunity to improve and expand public transport and active travel, as traffic has been moved to a more appropriate route.”
