The solicitor leading the legal battle to axe the controversial Aberdeen city centre bus gates has said he is ‘confident’ that the much-maligned traffic measures can be overturned in court.

Alasdair Sutherland, a partner at Burness Paull, has updated traders on the prospects of success as he prepares to face Aberdeen City Council at the Court of Session later this year. According to the Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, the lawyer – who has been instructed by veteran retailer Norman Esslemont – says seeing the council’s defence has convinced him Mr Esslemont has a “good prospect of success”.

The case – which will kick-off in June – will focus on whether the decision to make the ‘experimental’ bus gates permanent in January was lawful.

In making the bus gate permanent, administration councillors warned millions of pounds of grant funding received from Transport Scotland might have to be repaid. However, Mr Sutherland argues this “was not a relevant consideration”.

He will also argue that the council’s actions – including planning chief David Dunne’s decision to seek positive reports from bus companies – proves the bus gate system was “never an experiment”.

Aberdeen City Council maintains it has acted in a proper and correct manner, and that having sought further advice from the King’s Counsel, believes it can defend its position successfully in court.

(Pic: Aberdee City Council)