Motorists risking lives by ignoring road closed signs
18/02/13
Dangerous drivers are putting lives at risk by disobeying road closed signs on the outskirts of Aberdeen.
Some drivers on the Cults to Kingshill road, which has been temporarily closed to northbound vehicles, are ignoring the road closed and diversion signs and driving on the wrong side of the road, on a bend, into the face of oncoming traffic.
This behaviour is reckless in the extreme and poses significant danger not only to those flouting the rules and their passengers, but also to the contractors working on site and other road users. It is also illegal and Grampian Police has deployed roads policing officers to tackle offenders.
Some motorists have even moved traffic cones so they can drive down the closed lane, where contractors are working. This is in itself extremely dangerous as it means anyone travelling the road after them doesn't have the benefit of the cones as a final warning about the lane closure. There is no room to safely turn a vehicle there.
The situation has become so serious that the council is considering using emergency powers to close the road if drivers persist in behaving so dangerously.
The lane closure is signed from as far back as North Deeside Road in Cults, and repeated several times, as is the diversion route, including a final sign at the start of the diversion route at Countesswells Road.
Grampian Police Traffic Management manager Mike McDonald said: "The new traffic management arrangements were implemented a few days ago and already there have been a number of complaints in relation to driver behaviour.
"We are aware of this issue and road policing officers have been directed to patrol the area and encourage motorists to take heed of the traffic management signage, road closures and the identified alternative diversion routes which are all in place.
"There have been several reported examples of motorists driving northwards against the one way flow and effectively "head on" towards oncoming traffic on the restricted carriageway between Cults and Kingswells. There have also been reports of drivers removing traffic cones and signage in that area in an attempt to get through the closure. Such behaviour is extremely reckless and has the potential to cause a serious road traffic collision."
Mr McDonald added: "I would encourage all motorists who normally use that route to remain alert to the road closures and diversions and to comply with the signage. Road policing officers have been deployed to the area and will robustly deal with offenders."
The C128C Cults to Kingshill road has been closed to northbound traffic while new service ducts and drainage are installed and other works are carried out at the south-west embankment as part of road improvement works for the Prime Four development at Kingswells. There is no through route for northbound traffic. The diversion is via Countesswells Road, Springfield Road and Skene Road.