Utility diversion works as part of the project constructing a new beach playpark and events park with supporting blue badge parking are to start on Links Road beside its junction with Cotton Street.
The works at Links Road start on Monday 29 July when a section of Links Road from Cotton Street to the middle of the Beach Boulevard will be closed north-bound between The Esplanade and Links Road. A one-way system will be maintained (northwards) on Links Road between Codonas and Cotton Street to facilitate buses on this route until Monday 5 August, when the road will be fully closed between the Queens Links Retail Park and the Beach Boulevard. This diversion will be for seven weeks until 20 September. The Links Road full closure is to facilitate the next stage of works.
The utility diversion work is taking place in stages from Broad Hill round Links Road towards the Queens Links. This latest stage allow gas main and electrical supplies to be diverted and facilitate works for the beach park and events park to progress.
The diversion for the road closure is via the Justice Port roundabout, Commerce Street, Regent Quay, and Wellington Street. Access to the Beach Boulevard Retail Park (which includes Asda supermarket), the Queens Links Retail Park and Codonas will also continue via Wellington Street. There is signage for motorists heading south from Bridge of Don to go via The Esplanade. A temporary two-way has been set up on the Esplanade outside the cafes area for the duration of the works.
The playpark was given planning permission in December 2023 along with other amenities as part of a beach park and events park with supporting blue badge parking, as part of the City Centre and Beach Masterplan (CCBMP) which is designed to reinvigorate the areas culturally and economically, attracting people to spend time in them.
This first phase of works would upgrade the green spaces which already attract visitors to the area while providing a higher quality environment and broadening the range of activities which can be enjoyed at the beach. They include:
- The beach park area, at the south end of the site, will focus on a variety of landscaped play and sports areas with built structures including a gateway building, a hub building, two canopies, and a play structure called The Rope Factory;
- The car park and junction will be from Links Road and would provide dedicated blue badge parking spaces to the beach park area;
- The events park, at the Beach Ballroom end of the site, will have several structures including a canopy and an amphitheatre building.
There will also be additional public realm and landscaping at the site which will be covered under Permitted Development.
The CCBMP is designed to capitalise on the built and natural assets of the area which is a tourism priority in its own right and will continue to be in demand as people seek safe, outdoor, wildlife, and active experiences. The beach area is also an intrinsic component of the Aberdeen Coastal Trail, and the wide variety of tourism offer that includes nature, golf, maritime history, and dolphin watching.
More information about the CCBMP is available at Generation Aberdeen | Our City of Opportunity