Aberdeen City Council has admitted that "no specific research" was undertaken to assess if the city centre bus gates would impact local businesses.
Roads chiefs imposed an experimental traffic regulation order (Etro) on Guild Street, Market Street and Bridge Street last August to speed up bus journey times and encourage more people to use public transport.
However, businesses across Aberdeen city centre have spoken out about the impact the measures have had on their trade.
Freedom of information requests published in the P&J today shows no in-depth forecasting was arranged on how the measures might hit city centre traders.
A local authority official told the P&J: "As the bus priority measures were installed as a sustainable transport initiative (to help contribute towards transport modal shift, in line with local, regional and national transport policy, as well as net zero and air quality commitments), no specific research was undertaken on the predicted economic impacts prior to their introduction.
“This has been, and continues to be, assessed while the measures are in operation.”
More than 10,000 people have now backed the Common Sense Compromise - a campaign launched by Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, Aberdeen Inspired, Our Union Street, the Press & Journal and Aberdeen businesses - calling for a number of changes to be made to the bus gates.
VIEW THE COMMON SENSE COMPROMISE
Scottish Conservative North East MSP Liam Kerr has hit out at the lack of thought for the businesses the traffic measures are impeding.
“This is proof, if any was needed, that the potential economic fallout from these bus gates was never a factor in the decision-making process,” he told The P&J.
“Residents have told Aberdeen City Council that continuing down this road would be wrong-headed. Employers and city businesses have signed up to Common Sense Compromise petition in their droves."
Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce chief executive Russell Borthwick said getting people to change how they travel around the city was key to the “crucial” move to net zero.
“However,” he added, “our local economy is equally important and needs to be given the same level of consideration.
“It is clear that this has not been the case here, which is part of the reason there are so many businesses in distress after a relatively short period.”
He reiterated the need for the Common Sense Compromise, encouraging councillors to adopt our suggested changes to “send a message that Aberdeen is open for business”.
Click here to read more in the Press & Journal.