Aberdeen’s residential areas are experiencing significant disruption from heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) travelling to and from the recently expanded south harbour, prompting renewed calls for stringent traffic restrictions.
Local communities report feeling “battered” by the volume and size of lorries, leading Aberdeen City Council (ACC) to seek enhanced enforcement powers from the Scottish government.
The Port of Aberdeen’s South Harbour, a substantial £420 million expansion project, officially opened in 2023, and this major marine infrastructure development, the largest in the UK, has significantly increased the port’s capacity, attracting larger vessels for industries including oil and gas, renewables, and cargo, as well as cruise ships.
Residents in areas such as Torry have long voiced concerns about the environmental and nuisance impacts of HGV traffic. David Fryer, associated with Torry Community Council, articulated the community’s frustration, stating, “This is your 30, 40, 50 tonners – and then you get abnormal loads. We feel the residential communities, particularly Torry, has been battered very hard, and folk over the years have made reference to this.”
Fryer underscored the need for actionable solutions beyond mere signage: “We’re looking to see how our communities can be safe – but you don’t just do that with signs, you need effective enforcement.”
In response to these concerns, Aberdeen City Council has confirmed it is engaging with the Scottish government to request additional civic enforcement powers. Currently, the authority to enforce certain traffic regulations against HGVs primarily rests with Police Scotland.
Independent councillor Marie Boulton, representing the Lower Deeside Ward, has advocated for the implementation of CCTV cameras to monitor and penalise HGV drivers deviating from designated routes.
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Councillor Ian Yuill, Co-Leader of Aberdeen City Council and a convenor, noted that the discussion around camera enforcement is part of the ongoing dialogue with the Scottish government, highlighting that local authorities presently lack these specific enforcement capabilities.
A crucial infrastructure project, the Aberdeen South Harbour Link Road (ASHLR), is underway to mitigate these traffic issues. The link road, which includes upgraded sections of existing routes and a new bridge over the Aberdeen to Dundee railway line, aims to divert HGV traffic away from residential areas. Construction for this project is, however, not anticipated to conclude now until 2028.
In addition to the link road, Aberdeen City Council has committed to evaluating the feasibility, costs, and funding options for a new footway along the east side of the Coast Road, between Burnbanks village and Burnbanks railway bridge, further addressing local amenity and safety concerns.
