Spaces for People measures to be removed when Aberdeen is at level 0

Aberdeen City Council have announced three Spaces for People measures will be removed after Aberdeen moved into level 0.

The council's city growth and resources committee agreed to the move for Rosemount, Torry and George Street today. 

It came after recommendations from the Director of Public Health for NHS Grampian said it would support the removal of measures due to the improved public health position and vaccination coverage. 

It would see the removal of the measures taken away three weeks after the move to level 0 and will take approximately 13 weeks for the works to be completed. 

 Aberdeen City Council city growth and resources committee convener Councillor Ryan Houghton said: “It is fantastic that due to the improved public health position and significant vaccination coverage we can remove the neighbourhood Spaces for People interventions when we’re at Level 0.

“It has been a difficult time for many people and it is thanks to the public for continuing to stick with the physical distancing, mask-wearing, lockdowns, vaccinations, and all the other measures to combat Covid-19 that we’re in this position.”

The Union Street Spaces for People interventions will be reported to city growth and resources committee in August as part to the City Centre Masterplan review along with the BHS and Market Buildings proposals.

Aberdeen City Council transport spokesperson Councillor Sandra Macdonald said: “Having served their purpose, it is time to pack away the striped bollards, temporary signage, water-filled barriers, and pavement extensions.

“Public feedback through walkabouts, community councils, local business networks and on-line questionnaires all shaped the temporary measures that were put in place to help pedestrians to physically distance across the city during the pandemic.

“Residents and businesses have had to adapt, and to adapt again, over the past year and it will be some months before all the works to re-establish the affected streets and pavements are complete. ”

The temporary Spaces for People works were carried out after a £1.76million grant from the Scottish Government’s Spaces for People fund which is being administered by Sustrans.

They were designed to protect public health by reducing Covid-19 transmission in the city.