Community invited to shape plans for temporary coach parking in Stonehaven
Aberdeenshire Council is inviting the Stonehaven community to have their say on proposals for a temporary bus and coach parking area designed to ease pressure on the town centre.
In recent years, Stonehaven has seen a substantial increase in tourism coaches, bringing welcome visitors who support local businesses and the wider economy all year round.
These visits help ensure the town remains a must-see destination for both UK and international tourists.
However, the growth in coach numbers has also led to congestion in the town centre, particularly around drop-off points and has resulted in some coaches parking in locations which are unsuitable or unsafe. The issue has been discussed regularly at Stonehaven Town Centre Improvement Group meetings and a number of options have been considered.
To help manage this, a bus stop was previously created beside Market Square to provide a dedicated drop-off and pick-up point for coach passengers and the much-loved Stonehaven Land Train. While this has improved passenger movements, there has been limited space for coaches to wait between drop-off and pick-up times.
Following careful consideration of a number of options, Aberdeenshire Council is proposing to introduce a temporary coach parking area on the road behind Baird Park – sometimes known locally as Mill Lade Road. This location has been used successfully in the past for major events such as the Stonehaven Fireballs and has proven to work well.
The proposal would see four marked coach parking bays created on this road, along with yellow lines to keep the turning area clear.
Coaches would continue to drop off and collect passengers at Market Square before moving to this location to wait. This approach aims to reduce congestion in the town centre and address local concerns about inappropriate parking. In general, this facility will be serving coaches parking during the daytime so there will be no requirement for overnight coach parking.
Plans have been designed to ensure continued access to the allotments and Baird Park which hosts a wide range of activities throughout the year. Importantly, the works would be funded through external grants and not from existing council service budgets.
Before a report is presented to the Kincardine and Mearns Area Committee for a decision, local people are being encouraged to share their views via a short survey at https://engage.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/coach-parking-proposals-for-stonehaven
Further formal consultation will also take place on the Traffic Regulation Orders required to formalise the Market Square bus stop and introduce yellow lines at the Baird Park entrance to allow safe turning for coaches, providing another opportunity for community feedback.
Cllr Sarah Dickinson, chair of the council’s Kincardine and Mearns area committee, said: “Stonehaven is thriving and our growing reputation as a destination is something we can all be proud of. The increase in tourist coaches brings valuable footfall for our local shops, cafes, and attractions, but it also means we must work together to manage these visits in a way that keeps our town centre safe, welcoming, and accessible for everyone.
“We have looked carefully at a range of options and we’re now asking the community to share their views on a proposed temporary coach parking area behind Baird Park. This solution has worked well during major events in the past and would help ease congestion by giving coaches a suitable place to wait between drop-off and pick-up times at Market Square.
“Your feedback is essential before any decisions are made, so I strongly encourage residents, community groups and local businesses to take a few minutes to complete the short survey and make sure your voice is heard.”
Stonehaven Town Centre Improvement Group comprises representatives from Stonehaven & District Community Council, Stonehaven Town Partnership, Stonehaven Business Association, the Horizon Group, Stonehaven Men’s Shed, Council Officers and local Ward Councillors.