Fresh consultation on 'no right turn' ruling

The ban on turning right is from Union Terrace onto Rosemount Viaduct

Councillors in Aberdeen have voted to start a fresh consultation on plans to remove a no right turn rule in the city centre.

The local authority voted to make bus gates and traffic restrictions permanent earlier this year. It came amid criticism from businesses and opposition members.

The administration also decided to reverse a ban on turning right from Union Terrace onto Rosemount Viaduct.

However officers later discovered that the decision to make the experimental traffic order permanent was not competent, and that by law a new consultation would be needed. This was approved by the urgent business committee.

The city council's chief executive, Angela Scott, apologised for the error at the urgent business meeting.

Opposition councillors wanted to push the issue to a full council meeting, but that was dismissed, and the motion passed.

Legislation requires the experimental traffic order to be made permanent by the end of January.

Aberdeen City Council now has just over six weeks to ensure it complies with the law.

City centre measures have been a controversial issue

The controversial city centre bus gate scheme which was introduced last year.

In October, the council voted to make a package of city centre measures - including the bus gates - permanent.

They are intended to improve access.

However, some residents and businesses have said footfall and profits have dropped since the bus priority measures were introduced.