Aberdeen City Council submits proposals to create temporary social distancing measures on Union Street

Aberdeen City Council has submitted a bid to the Scottish Government for funding to help bring Union Street in line with social distancing guidelines. 

It includes part-pedestrianising the city centre, widening pavements and installing temporary bike lanes to free up road space so that people can keep two metres away from one another once coronavirus lockdown restrictions are eased.

The pavements on Union Street are not currently wide enough to allow the public to follow social distancing, which is likely to remain in place for months.

But under the proposed system traffic would be rerouted around the centre meaning pedestrians could walk along the bus lanes and keep a safe distance from one another.

Access will still be provided to the car parks as well as for residents and businesses.

The proposed outline program, which has been submitted to the Spaces for People fund, has been developed with NHS Grampian, transport organisation NESTRANS, and business improvement group Aberdeen Inspired.

Labour Council Co-Leader Councillor, Jenny Laing, said: “We are taking this bid forward with a singular focus on the health and wellbeing needs of residents.

“It is the immediate need to support social distancing requirements and people’s ability to move safely around the city –allowing us to start our social and economic recovery – that is central to this bid.

“External funding from the Scottish Government is crucial if we are to be ready to respond to the lifting of the lockdown and play our role in helping the country recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The measures also aim to increase space at "community pinch points" and along popular business, leisure and cycling routes.

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