Aberdeen City Centre and Beach Master Plan Update

8 October 2025

Project Works – Union Street Central

Since permitted vehicles were switched over to the new setts’ carriageway on the east section of the site there have been issues with pedestrians walking on the roadway instead of the footway.

Walking on the live carriageway is strictly prohibited and pedestrians must follow the signs and traffic management measures and always use the designated footways. The carriageway is for permitted vehicles only and ignoring the safety measures puts lives at risk.

This diagram shows the designated footways, marked in green, and the vehicle carriageway marked in red.

East Section
Work is progressing along the north footway from the former RBS site, moving westwards towards Correction Wynd. Redundant services have been removed to allow drainage work to advance, and protective measures have been installed around existing basements and previously unknown structures uncovered during the works.

On the south footway between Market Street and Correction Wynd, work has resumed to complete outstanding doorways and remaining tasks, with the team focusing on opening the area as soon as possible.

Centre Section
Along the south footway from Correction Wynd, slabs are being laid between Popeyes and McDonald’s, with work set to continue westwards onto the next storefront. On the south carriageway, sett laying has restarted from the temporary crossing at Aberdeen Vinyl Records.

West Section
Excavation work has begun to the east of Union Bridge, preparing the ground for drainage, kerb logs, and formation slabs. The team is concentrating on completing this early stage efficiently to prepare for the next phase of construction.

To support these works, the Belmont Street entrance onto Union Street has been closed in line with the planned programme. A Temporary Traffic Regulation Order (TTRO) is now in place until 22 March 2026 to allow us to safely carry out upgrade works to both the carriageway and the north footway at the Union Street junction. These restrictions are essential for safety and will remain until the works at this location are complete.

During October, the focus will be on completing the remaining works to the south footway from Market Street to Correction Wynd, aiming to open sections of the footway as soon as possible.

Footway excavation and slab installation will continue on the north footway heading west towards Correction Wynd across all retail frontages, while similar work progresses on the south footway heading west towards Back Wynd.

In the centre section, sett laying will continue moving westwards, and drainage, kerb logs, and slab formation will advance up to Union Bridge.

Footway works will be carried out during daytime hours, while doorways for shops, residents, and businesses will be completed out of hours. This approach allows the team to maintain safe progress on the project while keeping businesses accessible and operational.

Project Works – Market

The new market building’s steel frame is steadily rising and remains on schedule. Edge protection has been fitted around the suspended floor slabs in advance of installing the metal decking.

At East Green, the team have been progressing the drainage and below-ground service works. With many existing utilities in the area, a suction excavator is being used to carry out the work carefully.

During October, the team aim to finish the steel frame and begin laying the metal decking for the suspended floor slabs. East Green’s drainage and service works are also due to finish. The team will also be installing a temporary access stair in preparation for the upcoming roof works.

Project Works – Beach

Work is progressing well across the beach site with the amphitheatre, gateway and hub buildings clearly recognisable. The glazing and internal partitions in the amphitheatre building are well under way and the roofing works are on schedule. The internal fit out of the Gateway building plant room and toilets are progessing.

The first steelworks for the main play structures have been delivered on and construction will begin shortly. Over the coming weeks, the three ‘worm’ structures will begin to take shape and by the end of November, the main play tower will start to be erected.

The demolition of the external flumes for the swimming pool in the former beach leisure centre was completed this week. Internal stripping out works will continue which will allow a phased demolition of the building over the next three months.

The Linx Ice Arena will remain open and continue to operate as normal during the leisure centre demolition works.

Project Works – Castlegate 

Discussions are continuing with utility services companies over necessary works to allow the Castlegate project to proceed. Once agreement has been reached with the utility companies, the contractor will be able to finalise plans for moving onto the site and begin works.