Former council co-leader quits SNP over bus gates

Alex Nicoll said he was deeply concerned about the transport issue

The former co-leader of Aberdeen City Council has quit the authority's SNP group over controversial transport measures.

Alex Nicoll abstained earlier this month when the council voted to make a package of city centre measures - including bus gates - permanent.

They are intended to improve access, but which have been strongly criticised by some residents and businesses.

Mr Nicoll said he expected to instead now sit as an independent councillor. The council administration is an SNP and Lib Dem coalition.

Experimental bus priority routes were implemented last year

"I am deeply concerned about the direction that the local council group is taking," he told BBC Scotland News.

"I don't think we are actually thinking through some of the consequences of these decisions."

He said he thought it was the "right and proper" thing to do.

The current SNP group and council co-leader Christian Allard wished Mr Nicoll all the best.

"I think it's unfortunate that Councillor Nicoll has decided to take this course of action," he said.

"I would like to thank him for his years as an SNP councillor and also as an SNP group leader."

Mr Nicoll quit his role as SNP group leader in May last year, and Mr Allard was elected to replace him.

The experimental bus priority routes were implemented last year.

The bus gate restrictions were introduced to reduce the amount of general traffic on Market Street, Guild Street, Union Street and Bridge Street.

The restrictions were introduced last year under an experimental order, while the local authority gathered feedback.