Public consultation for Broad Street options launched

16 May 2016

A public consultation on options for enhancing Broad Street was launched today (May 16, 2016) by Aberdeen City Council.

The Broad Street proposal is one of four major transport projects contained in the Aberdeen City Centre Masterplan, which aims to transform the City Centre over the next 25 years.

Traffic modelling showed Broad Street as a starting point because changes would potentially have least impact on traffic movement across the city.

At a meeting on May 11, Full Council agreed to seek the views of the public on the three options for Broad Street:

1. Keeping it open to all traffic

2. Making it buses, cycles and pedestrians only

3. Making it pedestrians and cycles only

Each option offers benefits and challenges in the way Broad Street could be used.

City council deputy leader councillor Marie Boulton, who chairs the cross-party City Centre Regeneration Board, said: “Officers have worked up indicative designs for all three options and have carried out extensive traffic modelling.

“The public will be able to study the proposals in detail and are asked to comment on the benefits and challenges associated with each.

“We’d like as much input from the public in helping shape whatever option is taken forward.

“Residents will also be asked for their views on how they would like to see public realm space and how it should be used.

“The feedback will be used to inform decisions on delivering this part of the Masterplan.

“In moving forward, the impact of any changes on the wider transport network will also be considered by the Council.”

The four-week consultation will be carried out online and paper copies of the survey will be available in community settings like libraries and community centres.

Cllr Boulton said: “The Masterplan represents a once in a generation opportunity to transform the City Centre and enhance the quality of its environment for generations to come.

“We need to work together to deliver the vision and I would urge everyone to have their say on the Broad Street options.

“The Masterplan is already under way with projects like the Art Gallery extension. Broad Street provides us an opportunity to build further momentum and give people a City Centre they can truly be proud of.”

The consultation response will form part of a report that is expected to go to Full Council on Wednesday, June 29.

Three other streets have been identified for part or full pedestrianisation over the course of the Masterplan – Guild Street; Union Street; and Schoolhill.

The Broad Street consultation, which closes on June 12, also asks for views on the creation and use of public realm space in the City Centre.

The survey can be found here:

consultation.aberdeencity.gov.uk/consultation/broadstreet

The survey is also available to view at Marischal College and at City Council libraries.