Work on 'temporary' changes to city centre streets gets go-ahead

A project to close Aberdeen's Union Street to cars is set to go ahead - after it was granted £1.76 million of Scottish Government funding.

The cash will go towards a series of temporary measures in the city centre, designed to allow people to walk, cycle and queue for buses, and shop, while sticking to social distancing guidance.

It includes the widening of pavements in some areas, temporary cycle lanes, and one-way walking systems. Work on the changes will start in the next few weeks.

The city council says Union Street in particular faces challenges in its current set-up, because pavements are not wide enough to accommodate the two-metre social distancing rules. Only public transport, cyclists and pedestrians will be allowed to use the thoroughfare. 

Temporary changes to the road layout and on-street parking to widen pavements will also take place on Rosemount, Victoria Road in Torry, Peterculter, Cults, North Deeside Road and George Street. 

The local authority says that in the later stages of the easing of lockdown, further changes such as reducing parking spaces may also be required at local shopping centres to ensure there is enough space for pedestrians to socially distance and to ensure the number of people visiting the centres and the city centre is manageable.

Councillor Jenny Laing, co-leader of the council, said: "We welcome the grant funding which will be used to implement temporary active travel measures, helping to ensure people can walk and cycle during this public health emergency whilst physically distancing and keeping safe from traffic.

"These temporary interventions will help us meet the health and wellbeing needs of residents during this difficult time and will allow people to move safely around Aberdeen which will in turn start the social and economic recovery of the city and the wider region."

Susan Webb, NHS Grampian director of public health, said: "This is great news. We were happy to support this bid for funding and see it be successful - it will help make it as easy as possible for people to take exercise and access key services while observing physical distancing."

The length of time the measures will be in place will be determined by NHS and government guidance.