Resurfacing works to be carried out to city centre roads

03 March 2017

Three roads in Aberdeen city centre are to have closures for resurfacing works in the run-up to work starting on the £3.2million transformation and improvements to Broad Street into a pedestrian-priority area. The closures will mostly take place overnight to minimise disruption.

Schoolhill, Littlejohn Street, and the Gallowgate are to be closed to allow the works to be carried out in anticipation of increased traffic when Broad Street is closed.

Schoolhill between the junction of Back Wynd and Harriet Street will have overnight closures from 7pm on Monday 6 March until 6am on Saturday 11 March. During the day, it will be one lane only, open to west-bound traffic, on Tuesday 7 March, Wednesday 8 March and Thursday 9 March.

The entire length of Littlejohn Street from the Gallowgate to West North Street is to be resurfaced. It will be closed overnight from 7pm on Monday until 5am on Saturday 11 March. There will be no parking on Littlejohn Street during this period, including the disabled bays and Co-Wheels spaces.

The Gallowgate from Broad Street to Berry Street, is to have overnight closures from 7pm on Monday 13 March until 5am on Saturday 18 March.

An Aberdeen City Council spokeswoman said: “We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause to road users however the works are necessary to ensure the quality of the road surface before Broad Street is closed.”

Further announcements will be forthcoming about the Broad Street work and closures.

The work to revitalise Broad Street is part of the City Centre Masterplan which is a 25-year plan with 50 projects aimed at transforming the city centre. Overwhelming feedback from the public as part of the City Centre Masterplan process was there should be more pedestrian-friendly areas in the city and more green travel, both of which Broad Street is helping deliver.

Broad Street is to have a transformed and improved streetscape which will extend to Union Street and include the Gallowgate/Upperkirkgate junction, creating an area with interest, vibrancy and vitality and capable of staging events throughout the year.

The space, which will be buses-only for traffic and a shared footway for pedestrians and cyclists, can be used for a range of events that can be programmed throughout the year.

The design’s key points include a water feature, a raised grass planter giving a space to relax and enjoy the view of Marischal College, several trees to introduce greenery, and granite bench seating defining some of the areas.

There will also be improvements in lighting to Marischal College allowing greater flexibility in uplighting and ‘theming’ the building. The Robert the Bruce statue will remain in its original position, and servicing for events will be built into the scheme to allow for a multi-use space.

The plans were given the go-ahead at a Full Council meeting on Thursday 6 October where councillors agreed to a detailed design of what the pedestrian-priority area will have in it.