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Press and Journal
a day ago
- Politics
- Press and Journal
David Knight: Being fined at the faffing-about early stages of Aberdeen bus gates has had me simmering every day for three years
Whenever I approach a hooded and disabled roadside speed camera – with 'not in use' on it – I slow down instinctively. There are a few of them dotted around Aberdeen. Like Daleks from Dr Who; temporarily rendered harmless, but still menacing. I suppose it's some kind of reverse psychology going on: our brains are still wired to be wary of speed traps. You'd think I'd speed up rather than decelerate. Or maybe I don't really believe the 'not in use' signs and suspect it's some kind of trick. My journalistic mind always suspects that the authorities are up to something. My standard starting point is that they are trying to hide important things from the public and so a permanent state of scepticism is healthy. To challenge things all the time. After all, there is a lot to process in Aberdeen right now, especially with bus-gate and LEZ (Low Emission Zone) fines popping through letter boxes at an alarming rate. The Post Office's immediate future as a viable going concern must surely be guaranteed thanks to this lucrative line of mail-delivery business. I gazed at a P&J colour-coded graphic shape depicting a myriad of current traffic restrictions around Aberdeen, including bus gates and LEZs. Stretching like a green medieval gauntlet around all the city centre's major streets – choking the life out of them, some might say. The first salvos in a legal challenge by local businesses against the profit-draining gates are expected in the Court of Session soon. My beef with council bus gates always has been whether correct processes – democratic and procedural – were followed. That should interest all citizens. Meanwhile, the first wave of data on Aberdeen LEZs is being digested on the first anniversary of their introduction. A hefty £4.5million in LEZ fines dominates the debate, but important health information about reductions in potentially lethal emissions must also be evaluated. My health was not helped by pondering over not one, but four fines which arrived at my door. Two were imposed in Aberdeen, but are now a bit old. I don't bear grudges, but I have been simmering about them every day for three years. The other two were just a matter of weeks ago. Not in Aberdeen, but in a galaxy far, far away in England. Parking fines administered while I was on a mercy mission to visit a sick elderly relative. Twice for the same offence, in effect: once the night before and again in a dawn swoop by a patrol the next day before I awoke. They had me bang to rights, but surely not twice overnight? With my legal magnifying glass to hand I spotted one ticket had recorded me mistakenly as being at another car park half a mile away. It was enough: a legal technicality, but my challenge in writing was upheld and one fine was quashed on appeal. Hardly the case of the century, but again shows that challenging things is healthy – and reading small print is always essential. This recent saga made me think back to that old pair of fines from years before. I managed to incur two Aberdeen bus-gate fines in the same spot within days of each other; that took a serious level of ineptitude on my part, you might think. But shell-shocked and bewildered, I returned to the scene of my 'crime' to walk slowly through the bus-gate zone instead to discover where I went wrong. I still couldn't make sense of it due to shambolic signage which drew much criticism. I thought of this again after the lawyer leading the legal battle reckoned bus-gate fines would have to be refunded to motorists if he won in court. However, he was only talking about fines dating back to when the 'experimental' status of the current bus-gate layout was made permanent earlier this year. But what about me and many others? I fell foul of what I describe as a 'pre-experiment' experimental stage of this troubled project when a pilot bus-gate was trialled temporarily at one end of Union Street. It was the embryonic forerunner of what you see today, but also triggered a furore of protest and many fines. I hate to take issue with the legal expert, but surely as these people were punished during an earlier chaotic faffing-about stage of bus gates – before they became legally binding – they actually have a stronger argument for recompense? Paying a fine is hardly a matter of life or death, you might say. But it might be if you were breathing in exhaust emissions in what are now LEZs. Early evidence shows some reductions. Good news, but we must bear in mind that the smallish Aberdeen LEZs seem harsher and more intense than elsewhere in Scotland. So it begs a challenging question: have they got the balance right? David Knight is the long-serving former deputy editor of The Press and Journal
The Herald Scotland
01-06-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
85% of Aberdeen traders rejected for LEZ retrofit scheme
However, of the 26 businesses who applied for aid, just four were approved. The figures come amidst rising anger over traffic regulations in the city. A legal challenge against the SNP-led council's bus gates is poised to be heard next month, after local residents and business owners raised more than £65,000 to fund the effort. The LEZ and bus gates have sparked anger in Aberdeen. (Image: Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco) Scottish Conservative MSP for North East Scotland Liam Kerr said the sums were evidence of the government's 'pitiful' stance towards businesses affected by the restrictions. In response, Transport Scotland said that the majority of applicants did not meet the necessary criteria for funding. Kerr said: 'Several businesses have already closed since the LEZs went live in Aberdeen, while others are on the brink of their livelihoods being decimated by this draconian scheme. 'Many are relocating their premises or simply avoiding these parts of Aberdeen because the SNP-Lib Dem council have demonised them from coming into our city centre. The Tory MSP added: 'Yet the woeful number of grants issued by the LEZ Retrofit Fund shows the Scottish Government has also shut the door on Aberdeen's business community. 'Rather than punishing motorists, the SNP government, with the council, should focus more on working constructively with businesses to help renew confidence and deliver economic growth.' Kerr submitted a written question in Holyrood to Transport Minister Fiona Hyslop on 21 May. He asked: 'How much of the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) Retrofit Fund has been allocated to be used for businesses in Aberdeen's LEZ since its introduction, and how much of that allocation was distributed to businesses?' Hyslop responded: '26 applications for this funding have been received from businesses in the Aberdeen area. The majority of applications were rejected due to applicants not meeting the eligibility requirements. 'Four applicants were eligible and offered funding, however only two accepted these offers. The amount received by these businesses to support retrofitting of vehicles to meet LEZ standards was £14,066 in total.' Transport Minister Fiona Hyslop (Image: PA/Jane Barlow).Hyslop noted that 'over 98%' of vehicles that upgraded using the scheme were taxis, and most were based in Edinburgh and Glasgow. She added: 'Lower demand retrofit funding in Aberdeen may be attributed to a combination of local taxi licencing conditions and vehicle eligibility, combined with an LEZ exemption for taxis in the city.' According to Transport Scotland, there are a number of requirements which must be met in order for businesses to qualify for financial assistance. First, funds are only available for 'micro businesses and sole traders'. A 'micro-business' is defined as firms that report a turnover of less than £632,000 or a balance sheet of £316,000 or retain nine or fewer full-time employees. Furthermore, the applying business must not have received any other retrofit grants, must have been operational for at least 12 months, must not be registered to reclaim VAT, and must hold a UK business bank account. Glasgow's LEZ has been live since June 2023. (Image: Image taken by Newsquest staff) Several businesses in Aberdeen have blamed traffic regulations for the failure of their firms. Whisky bar CASC, located on the city's Stirling Street, shut in December 2024. Owners Bill and Paul West said at the time: 'The final nail in the coffin was the utterly ridiculous LEZs/bus gates, and the seemingly never-ending construction around the city turning the centre into a no-go zone for many.' The Herald previously reported how taxi drivers in Glasgow struggled to enhance their vehicles after one of the only firms equipped to carry out the necessary repairs suddenly went bust last summer. At the time, 225 taxis were on the road under a temporary exemption while retrofitting was being carried out. In January 2025, Labour MSP Pam Duncan Glancy raised the issue in Holyrood, telling Hyslop: 'Taxi drivers in Glasgow are keen to play their part in the transition to net zero, but at present they struggle to access some support to comply with the low-emission zone in the city.' Read more: Glasgow drivers racked up £1.7m in LEZ fines since 2023, figures show 'Hypocrisy': One third of Glasgow City Council vehicles don't comply with LEZ rules 'Kick in the teeth': Lost Glasgow LEZ court case costs campaigners £130,000 A recent Freedom of Information Request submitted by The Herald found that Glasgow's drivers have been fined around £1.7m since the LEZ scheme two years ago. Likewise, in Aberdeen, drivers have been fined more than £3m since June 2024. A Transport Scotland spokesperson said: 'Eligibility criteria for the LEZ Support Fund is set to ensure funding is available for those most in need of support to adapt to Low Emission Zones. 'The majority of rejected applicants in Aberdeen did not meet the microbusiness/sole trader criteria, were registered to reclaim VAT, or did not provide the required evidence for eligibility. Four applications were rejected as no retrofit solution was available for the selected vehicle. 'Additional factors such as the local licensing of taxis in cities like Aberdeen has meant there was less need for retro-fitting due to lower numbers of non LEZ compliant vehicles, in addition Aberdeen has granted exemptions for wheelchair accessible vehicles which will likely have further reduced grant applications'.
Edinburgh Reporter
30-04-2025
- Automotive
- Edinburgh Reporter
Conservative debate on transport on Wednesday
In a Scottish Conservative-led debate on Wednesday, MSPs will highlight both the importance that road transport plays in fuelling Scotland's economy and the damage which the Tories allege SNP policies are causing. Shadow transport secretary, Sue Webber, will point to what she describes as the negative impact of Low Emission Zones (LEZs) on businesses and individuals in big cities in Scotland, as well as the 'proliferation of controlled parking zones and exorbitant fines'. She wants ministers to scrap their plans to introduce 50mph speed limits on single carriageway roads, and increase the rate of resurfacing of Scotland's roads as well as future-proofing the charging network for electric vehicles (EVs). Ms Webber said: 'The SNP must stop viewing car drivers as bogeymen and end their war on Scotland's motorists. 'The insidious, drip-drip effect of anti-car policies is hampering our economy and connectivity and punishing already hard-pressed Scots. 'LEZs are a cash cow for councils desperate to make up for a shortfall in funding caused by the SNP's savage cuts to their budgets, while motorists are also faced with the expansion of controlled parking zones and eye-watering fines. 'At the same time as being charged more, drivers are having to contend with more pothole-scarred roads and snail-paced roadworks. The SNP need to get their act together and ensure roads are upgraded far more quickly. 'Their ludicrous plans to introduce 50mph national speed limits are just another example of how out-of-touch the SNP are. 'If SNP ministers want motorists to play their part in an affordable transition to net zero, they must dramatically improve and expand Scotland's woefully inadequate EV charging network. 'The Scottish Conservatives will always stand on the side of motorists, in contrast to the left-wing parties at Holyrood who treat them with contempt.' But ahead of the debate Scottish Green MSP Mark Ruskell said that if we are to reduce the number of cars on our road we must ensure that transport is 'affordable and accessible for all', says '. Mr Ruskell said: 'Scotland is on the road to climate chaos. We've known for decades that to tackle the climate emergency, we need to cut car use, but SNP and Labour governments have failed to act. 'Transport emissions remain the largest source of pollution in Scotland, and private car use makes up a huge share of that, but action has been lacking. Just last week, the Scottish Government scrapped their target to reduce car journeys by 2030. 'We need to ensure that public transport is always affordable and accessible. That means cheaper trains and buses, better connections for rural communities, and an end to spending on new unnecessary road building schemes. 'Scottish Greens have been working to make your commute cheaper by scrapping peak rail fares whilst in government, securing a bus fare cap and introducing free bus travel for young people. 'We all benefit from having less cars on the road. It means cleaner and safer streets and communities and less congestion misery for commuters. 'There are many who want to play their part in reducing our carbon emissions, but the cost is simply too high for them. 'We need to deliver even more radical change to make public transport more accessible for all, and that can only be delivered with more Scottish Greens in Holyrood.' Like this: Like Related
Press and Journal
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Press and Journal
Review: Aberdeen Student Show's Seagully Blonde, a love letter to the Broch
It's my favourite time of year and that's because the student show is back in town. If you have never experienced the comedic genius of this annual event, now on its 103rd performance, I could not recommend it more highly. Every year the most talented of scriptwriters come together to mirror one hit West End show, but with a twist – it's all set within the north-east of Scotland. This year's tale Seagully Blonde followed very closely the story of Legally Blonde. Think Ellie Woods, but born in the Broch – and whose best friend is a seagull called Boozer. After her boyfriend, who hails from the biggest fishing family in Fraserburgh, dumps her to go to university in the Granite City, our star, whose full name is Kinkell Woods, heads off on her own adventure, turning in her hairdressing scissors to become the best lawyer the halls of Aberdeen Sheriff Court have ever seen. It was honestly one of the best things I have seen on stage this year, and that's not just because of the two honorable mentions The Press and Journal received. The highly intelligent wit of the script not only followed the storylines and scores of a number of popular shows, but also delivered such detailed insights and social commentary on the psyches of north-east residents. They nailed the region's particular sense of humour to a tee. It hit all the controversial topics ranging from LEZs, bus gates, Aberdeen City Council, Union Terrace Gardens, and of course the famous rivalry between Brochers and Bloo Toonsers. I won't give too much away because I genuinely want you to all go and enjoy it as much as I do, but just trust me when I say you won't stop smiling the whole way through. And now on to the talent. I honestly couldn't fault one of the young actors or actresses on stage, however there are some special mentions that are definitely deserved. Ella Silver, as our lead Kinkell Woods, was everything that character should have been and more. Amanda Haggart, who played Grunnie Peg, had me in stitches the whole night and her Broch accent was spot on. Meanwhile Emmah Chibesakunda, who I praised for her role in Lyric's Witches of Eastwick, was a real star in last night's performance, as she took on the role of the gobby gull. Her comic timing and delivery was truly impeccable. And we can't forget the boys with Finlay Keir, as Anton Deck, and Conor McGarry, as Professor Calaholmes, both delivering memorable performances. And if I could pick one stand out moment from the show, it would be the opening of the second act, when six HMP Grampian divas delivered their own version of Chicago's famous Cell Block Tango – a moment of theatre genius. The show is running until Saturday, and I would challenge anyone to go and not enjoy it. I would argue this is impossible. You can buy tickets, while you can, here.
Forbes
22-04-2025
- Automotive
- Forbes
Transportation Is A Climate Issue: Time For Cities To Act
As we celebrate Earth Day and Climate Week kicks off in San Francisco, there is no better time to shine a light on one of the most overlooked contributors to the climate crisis: transportation. In the U.S., transportation is the single largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, surpassing even electricity generation. Yet it often receives far less attention in climate policy discussions than clean energy or industrial decarbonization. That needs to change. If cities are serious about achieving their climate goals, they must confront the carbon footprint of how people and goods move through urban areas. That means rethinking infrastructure, investing in sustainable alternatives, and making hard choices about car dependency. Most urban transportation emissions come from private vehicles—cars, SUVs, and light trucks that run on gasoline and diesel. These vehicles account for nearly 60% of transportation-related emissions nationwide. While electric vehicle (EV) adoption is accelerating, the reality is that we won't achieve meaningful emissions reductions by simply replacing every gas-powered car with an EV. The grid must be decarbonized, and the materials and infrastructure required for an all-EV future carry their own environmental costs. Reducing emissions requires more than cleaner vehicles; it requires fewer vehicles. This means making public transit, cycling, walking, and shared mobility safer, more convenient, and more accessible. The good news? Cities have the tools to make a difference. Local governments control land use, zoning, parking, and street design. These levers, when aligned with climate goals, can reshape the transportation landscape in powerful ways. Take congestion pricing. New York City is launching the first such program in the U.S., charging drivers a fee to enter the most congested parts of Manhattan. This policy is expected to reduce traffic, improve air quality, and generate revenue for public transit. European cities have gone even further, with over 250 implementing low-emission zones (LEZs) that restrict or charge high-polluting vehicles. Another promising strategy is eliminating parking minimums. Cities like San Francisco, Portland, and Minneapolis have already taken this step, allowing developers to build less parking, which reduces car dependency and lowers housing costs. And cities are increasingly embracing data to guide these decisions. With the right tools, they can monitor transportation trends, assess the equity and environmental impacts of new policies, and adjust in real time. While the climate conversation often centers on national and international action, local governments have enormous influence over one of the most critical sectors: transportation. From curb management to bus lanes, cities can dramatically reduce emissions while also creating healthier, more equitable communities. Climate Week in San Francisco is a reminder of the urgency and opportunity before us. It's not just about celebrating progress or committing to future goals—it's about action today. Earth Day should be more than a symbolic gesture; it should be a call to prioritize the things that move the needle. And that means addressing transportation head-on. If we want cleaner air, safer streets, and a livable planet, we need to stop treating transportation as an afterthought in climate policy. Cities must adopt bold, data-informed strategies to reduce vehicle miles traveled, promote sustainable alternatives, and reallocate public space away from private cars. Transportation is a climate issue. And the longer we ignore that fact, the harder the road ahead will become. Earth Day and Climate Week offer the perfect moment to change course—starting right here, in our streets.
