Waterslide return makes a splash

21 September 2016

The return of a giant waterslide to Aberdeen city centre has proved a huge hit – with tickets for the free attraction now sold out.

Aberdeen City Council will welcome thrill-seekers of all ages to the 40 metre-long waterslide on Belmont Street this Sunday (25 September) as part of the free family event In Town Without My Car Day, which will run from 10am to 4pm.

Following on from the success of the slide’s debut appearance last year, free tickets were snapped up within 48 hours of being released earlier this week.

Aberdeen City Council Regeneration and Transport spokesman Councillor Ross Grant said: “It is fantastic that so many people have taken up the offer of free tickets. I’m really looking forward to Sunday -­ it promises to be a really fun event and will certainly bring a lot of excitement to the city centre.

“In Town Without My Car Day is a fantastic initiative and the fun stalls will help to show people there are alternatives to using a car sometimes, something Sunday will help to showcase.”

This is the seventh year Aberdeen has hosted In Town Without My Car Day, and it will result in the closure to traffic of Schoolhill between Blackfriars Street and Back Wynd, along with Belmont Street and Little Belmont Street.

The free family fun event will also include a climbing wall, the opportunity to ride weird and wonderful bikes and trikes as well as hands-on experiments – offering the chance to step inside a giant bubble with Aberdeen Science Centre and watch Aberdeen University Circus Skills Society demonstrate juggling and performance skills. Visitors are also encouraged to bring their own bike for a free maintenance check-up.

In Town Without My Car Day, organised by Aberdeen City Council and Getabout, is the final event of a programme for European Mobility Week in Aberdeen. The European Union-backed campaign promotes sustainability and cities are encouraged to take part by signing up to the campaign and pledging to raise awareness by holding events and implementing permanent measures.