New safer walking and cycling routes to be built for the new Lochside Academy

26 April 2018

Work on new safer walking and cycling routes for pupils at the new Lochside Academy is starting this week.

Redmoss Road is going to be closed from Parkhead Farm and at Kildonan and become a cycle and pedestrian route with access for emergency vehicles only. In order to facilitate this, new turning circles will be constructed at both road closure locations, street lighting will be installed along the length of Redmoss Road, and pavements are to be extended.

Works will be starting this week at Abbotswell Crescent to improve pavements and bus stops and progressing along Redmoss Road, with completion expected in the summer.

Due to the limited construction space, Redmoss Road will be closed to pedestrians and cyclists during working hours.

Aberdeen City Council education operational delivery convener Councillor John Wheeler said: “As part of the ‘Safer Routes to School’ programme for the new Lochside Academy, this work will mean pupils can walk or cycle to their new school in a more protected way, and we ask members of the public to be patient while the construction works are ongoing.

“The new school will be a fantastic learning environment and a great facility to help them achieve their full potential, and we will be encouraging them to walk or cycle to it if they can as part of healthy living and to complement the new building’s green credentials.”

There will also be a new toucan crossing on Wellington Road and pavement upgrade to cycle paths which are nearing completion and will be operational soon.

In addition to the other works, part-time 20mph signs will be installed on Wellington Road on the approach to the new toucan crossing. This speed limit will apply during peak periods in the morning, afternoon and early evening.

About eight meetings have been held by officers with members of the community councils and parent councils of the schools affected, to discuss the arrangements for travel to the new school. These took place between March and September 2017.

The £46.9million Lochside Academy will replace Kincorth and Torry Academies on the site of Calder Park, Redmoss Road, Altens, and is due to open in August 2018.

The state-of-the-art school will provide pupils and staff with the opportunity to enjoy learning and teaching in a modern, flexible environment, built to deliver the Curriculum for Excellence.

By using modern technology, the new academy will be energy efficient which will help reduce the Council’s carbon footprint.