Temporary Traffic Lights at Union Street Central site

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As part of the streetscape works on Union Street Central, temporary traffic signals will be installed at the Market Street junction from Monday 10 February to allow the construction site hoarding to be extended.

This is to create enough space to install the final concrete bay in the east section of the construction site. The existing traffic signal post will be removed, and new ducts will be installed below the carriageway.

Once the concrete works are complete, footway work will begin on the east section of the south footpath at the Union Street/Market Street corner.

Aberdeen City Centre and Beach Master Plan Update

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17 January 2025

Construction works have resumed on all project sites following the Christmas and New Year break.

Project Works – Union Street Central

The installation of the new concrete base which will carry the granite carriageway is underway at the east end of the works site near Attic and Aberdeen Vinyl Records and is progressing well.

The excavation of a 30m trench near the west end of the site to identify any unknown services is also continuing. To support these works, the site cabin and welfare units have been relocated to the west end of the site, opposite Union Terrace Gardens.

Access for authorised vehicles and deliveries to businesses, will continue as normal, one way west to east along Union Street Central.

 

Project Works – Market

We are beginning to install the steel framework in the former British Home Stores building. On the main market building, work is progressing on new service, lift, and escalator pits, along with preparations for in-situ concrete walls. Concrete repairs and remedial work on existing walls and slabs are advancing steadily. The construction of in-situ concrete walls will continue over the next seven months

 

Project Works – Beachfront

Work has begun on detaching the former beach leisure centre from the adjoining Beach Ballroom in preparation for the demolition of the leisure centre later this year.

As part of that work, a new temporary car park will be constructed behind the existing ice arena, which will remain open as normal and in operation during all the works.

Works are also continuing constructing new paths and upgrading the existing path network on the Broadhill. New furniture and viewing points are also being installed.

Drainage works are underway on the new events field in preparation for constructing an amphitheatre and further drainage works are being undertaken on the new beach park area.

Aberdeen City Centre and Beach Master Plan Update

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20 December 2024

Sites shutdown during festive holiday period

Work on all the Aberdeen City Centre and Beach Master Plan construction sites will be paused from Friday 20 December 2024 for the festive holiday period and will resume operations on Monday 6 January 2025.

All the sites will be made safe and secure and will be monitored by security staff during this period. On the Union Street Central site all temporary fencing will be secured and dismantled with the welfare cabin, storage container and skips temporarily moved from the site. The carriageway within the temporary fencing area will be swept and checked and made available for public use during this period.

 

Project Works – Union Street Central

When work recommences in January 2025, investigation works will take place in the area near the Tag Heur premises with 30-metre trenches to look for any undiscovered services. These temporary works will be enclosed with Heras fencing and will proceed towards the current main construction area.

Access and deliveries to businesses will continue as normal, one way west to east along Union Street Central.

 

Project Works – Market

January 2025 will see works begin to install a steel framework in the former British Home Stores building and reinforcing the concrete walls of the former market building in preparation for the next stage of the programme.

 

Project Works – Beachfront

Works will resume in January 2025 to install drainage and services across the play park and events field sites. Once that is completed then work will begin on constructing the new skateboard area in the play park and preparations for the new amphitheatre in the event field.

Improvement works to paths and viewpoints on the Broadhill will continue.

Works will also commence on stripping out the former beach leisure centre in preparation for the demolition of the building later in the year.

 

Engagement and communications

The engagement teams for the Union Street Central, Market and Beach projects continue to work with businesses and residents to address any queries or concerns they may have on issues such as deliveries, parking and traffic management.

Updates will continue to be provided during 2025. and public stakeholder events will also be organised with advance notification of when they will be held.

 

Finally, on behalf of everyone involved with the Aberdeen City Centre and Beach Master Plan, may we wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

 

Aberdeen City Centre & Beach Master Plan Update

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Week Commencing 2 December 2024

Project Works – Union Street Central

Advance excavation works to allow us to identify unknown utility services in a 35-metre trial trench in the central section of the roadway outside Jamieson & Carry have been successfully completed. This also enabled us to install the main carrier drain and two drainage chambers in that section at the same time.

Work has also progressed in reinforcing the kerb log and removing the existing concrete slab from the carriageway. The kerb log works in that section should be completed this month and preparation works for the new concrete slab will be under way. Those preparation works will continue during January.

Also in January, there will be further advance investigation works on a 75-metre trial trench on a central section of the roadway between Belmont Street and Back Wynd. This will allow us to identify any unknown utility services and install the main carrier drain in this section at the same time.

Authorised vehicles will still be able to travel one-way, from west to east along the central section of Union Street during these works.

Project Works – Market

The reinforced concrete works and waterproofing of the former market building slab have been completed, laying the foundation for the main structure, Extensive concrete modifications and repairs have continued across the former British Home Stores and market buildings, to ensure they are ready for redevelopment.

Temporary electricity supplies are being installed to the welfare cabins and other parts of the site. Works are also continuing breaking out concrete pits for the new escalators and lifts.

January will see work begin on installing the steel framework in the former British Home Sores building and reinforcing the concrete walls of the former market building in preparation for the next phase of construction.

Project Works – Beach

Work has been completed on establishing the project site, including the installation of welfare cabins. Earthworks are continuing on Broadhill in line with the programme and also with enabling earthworks on the events park.

Festive Shutdown

The project sites will be closed from Friday 20 December 2024 until Monday 6 January 2025 for the festive holiday period. Full security will be in place at all the sites during that period.

Project Works – Castlegate

The temporary resurfacing is almost complete, with the remaining repairs due to be completed this week, weather dependent. The temporary surface solution will remain in place until the commencement of the Castlegate streetscape in the summer of 2025, following the visit of the Tall Ships race.

Engagement and communications

The engagement teams for the Union Street Central, Market and Beach projects continue to work with businesses and residents to address any queries or concerns they may have on issues such as deliveries, parking and traffic management.

Following discussions with local businesses, additional lighting has been installed along the Hadden Street walkway. Additional signage will be installed shortly and also in January.

Denburn Road Carriageway Closure

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As part of the improvement works on Union Street Central, investigation works will need to be carried out on the underside of the Union Bridge.

To facilitate these investigations safely, the southbound carriageway of Denburn Road, from the Woolmanhill Roundabout to the Wapping Street junction will be closed on Sunday 17 November from 9am to 4pm.

Southbound traffic will be diverted via Skene Street, Rosemount Viaduct, Union Terrace, and Bridge Street. The bus gate on Bridge Street will be temporarily suspended between 9am and 4pm to facilitate diverted traffic.

The northbound carriageway of Denburn Road will remain open as normal.

Anyone who has any questions about the closure can contact the Union Street Central site team on streetscape-market@morrisonconstruction.co.uk.

Aberdeen City Centre & Beach Master Plan Update – Week Commencing 4 November 2024

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 Project Works – Union Street Central

The installation of road drainage gullies and their associated connection pipes have been completed on the first section of works. The concrete slab below the road surface has been cut into sections and will be removed over the next four weeks along with the preparation for installing a reinforced kerb log, which provides structural support to the road surface and maintains the integrity of the pavement. Concrete pouring will then begin for the new kerb log and new concrete slab in the carriageway.

Advance excavations will also commence with a 35-metre trial trench in the area between Jamieson & Carry and Primark. This is being carried out in the centre of the street, behind heras panel fencing and will allow the site team to identify any unknown utility services in advance of the main construction activity later. While these investigations are under way, the site team will install the main drainage pipe in the trench, which will help reduce the timescale for later construction activity.

Authorised vehicles will still be able to travel one-way, west to east, along Union Street during these works.

 

Project Works – Market

The site boundary has been successfully extended to the pavement on the south side of Hadden Street. Preparations for installing welfare cabins for the site team have been carried out along with setting up essential on-site infrastructure. Work is also under way on new lift and escalator pits, which are specially constructed spaces for housing essential machinery, providing structural support and ensuring safe operation.

Over the next four weeks, the site team will continue concreate repairs and modifications to the former British Home Stores building and the foundation slab and existing walls of the former Market building. They also being the reinforcement and waterproofing of the former Market foundation slab.

 

Project Works – Beach

Site establishment works, including setting up welfare cabins, continue and are due to be completed week commencing 18 November 2024. Earthworks are progressing on Broadhill as per the programme. Earthworks are also progressing on the Events park. Removal of vegetation around the site perimeter on the Esplanade will commence this week.

 

Project Works – Castlegate 

Temporary resurfacing works commenced week beginning 4 November and are expected to be complete over the next 6 weeks, weather permitting.  The temporary surface is the most cost effective way to ensure public safety and will remain in place until the new streetscape project commences on site in summer 2025.

 

Engagement and communications 

The engagement teams for the Union Street Central, Market and Beach projects continue to work with businesses and residents to address any queries or concerns they may have on issues such as deliveries, parking and traffic management.

Extra Open for Business signage is being installed around the Market site and reviewed. The overhead Open for Business signage on Union Street Central is being replaced with the city centre Christmas lights. Additional signage requirements continue to be assessed.

Work to provide temporary road surfacing repairs to the Castlegate will begin this week. These works will improve the safety of the current surface around the Mercat Cross.

Aberdeen City Centre & Beach Master Plan Update – Week Commencing 14 October 2024

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Project Works – Union Street Central 

The east section carrier drain has been installed. Unknown utilities and buried structures meant additional work to negotiate obstructions. Two bus shelters on east section now removed. Existing granite kerbs from east section being retained for reuse elsewhere by Aberdeen City Council roads staff. Suitable existing Caithness paving slabs on east section being retained for reuse on Market project. New kerbs, granite setts and slabs have been delivered to project storage compound ready for installation.

 

Project Works – Market

Structural alterations to 91-93 Union Street underway with removal of protruding concrete sections on East Green elevations. Internal crash deck under construction ahead of removal of Union Street floor slab and concrete beams. Cutting underway on existing concrete slab and retaining walls on former Market building site. Preparations for extending work site boundary on Hadden Street to south side pavement on 21 October 2024.

 

Project Works – Beach

Boundary fencing erected around the beach and Broadhill sites. Site compounds and facilities established. Upgrading works on Broadhill path network underway. Boulevard closed off to traffic between Links Road and Esplanade with no issues.

 

Engagement and communications

Following Market stakeholder meeting and implementation of temporary traffic order, additional lighting and CCTV has been installed in Hadden Street to cover the footway area. Additional signage to signpost local businesses is being installed and will be in place when the Hadden Street site boundary is extended on 21 October 2024.

These measures have been communicated to local businesses directly and via the Generation Aberdeen website. In addition, Kirstie Golightly, public liaison manager for main contractor Morrison Construction, has been engaging directly with businesses and residents to assist with queries around traffic management, deliveries and parking.

Kirstie Golightly has also been engaging directly with businesses around the Union Street Central area on queries around access and deliveries. An on-going issue with food delivery cyclists and other cycle users ignoring the one-way system on Union Street has previously been raised with Police Scotland and is being monitored.

Additional Open for Business signage has been added to the Union Street Central hoarding with marketing materials distributed to businesses in the area. Radio and bus advertising to promote Open for Business is continuing across the city and shire.

For the beach projects, David Kindness, community liaison manager for main contractor Robertson Construction, has been engaging directly with local businesses about the setting up of the sites and the temporary closure of the Beach Boulevard between Links Road and the Esplanade. Details were also publicised via a letter drop to businesses and residents, on social media and via the Generation Aberdeen website.

Going forward, the Open for Business campaign will be extended to the beach area and stepped up for both Union Street Central and the Market.

Bus priority measures introduced by Aberdeen City Council in 2020, in line with the City Centre Masterplan goal of increasing sustainable travel, were made permanent at a meeting of the full Council on Friday 10 October 2024. A ban on vehicles making right turns from Union Terrace on to Rosemount Viaduct was lifted.

The bus priority measures from the Adelphi on to Market Street have been temporarily lifted for the duration of the new Market construction, which will allow vehicles to access Shiprow and Virginia Street from Market Street.

 

 

Temporary traffic restrictions for new Market construction

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Temporary traffic restrictions for Aberdeen’s Merchant Quarter will take effect from Monday 7 October 2024 to allow construction of the new Market.

The restrictions will be in place until 31 October 2025 and will involve temporary road closures, diversions and restricted access and parking for vehicles. These restrictions are necessary to allow essential works, some of which will involve large construction plant and is to ensure the safety of the public and the site workforce.

Access for businesses and residents will be maintained wherever possible and the diagram below outlines the restrictions that will be in place.

Hadden Street between Stirling Street and Market Street will be closed and the construction site boundary extended to include that area for essential works traffic. Pedestrian access to businesses in Hadden Street will be maintained. Hadden Street will remain open to vehicles between Stirling Street and Correction Wynd.

The Green will be closed with access only for works traffic and authorised delivery vehicles. There will be parking restrictions on Rennies Wynd. Parking restrictions may be required at times for construction purposes in Carmelite Lane and Imperial Place but advance notification will be given.

Anyone requiring further information can contact the project team directly on streetscape-market@morrisonconstruction.co.uk.

Next stage of improvement works will see temporary closure of Beach Boulevard

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A temporary closure of the Beach Boulevard between Links Road and the Esplanade will take place from 6pm on Sunday 29 September 2024 as part of the City Centre and Beachfront Masterplan.

This closure is to allow work to begin on the sites for the new beach park and events field by the main contractor, Robertson Construction Group. The area will be fenced off to allow construction to be carried out safely.

Clearly signposted diversion routes via Links Road and the Esplanade will be in operation. Two-way traffic on the Esplanade past the Queens Links Leisure Park will continue. The temporary closure will remain in place until the beach park and events field works are completed in 2026.

These works will be the biggest redevelopment of the beach area for 35-years and are part of a £50 million programme to create a transformational waterfront destination which will benefit businesses, residents and visitors.

The beach park will include an iconic play feature, the Rope Factory, which was developed through workshops with local school children and young people and was inspired by the city’s rope making heritage.

The events field will have an amphitheatre and will be able to host festivals, larger concerts and gatherings.

Other works being carried out at the beach include the upgrading of Broadhill, one of Aberdeen’s best known landmarks, and the demolition of the former beach leisure centre.

Planning application lodged for Queen Street urban park

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A planning application for a £15 million urban park in Queen Street has been made by Aberdeen City Council.

The park would be a key element in the redevelopment of Queen Street, which is part of the council’s City Centre and Beach Masterplan to transform Aberdeen.

It will include outdoor seating, informal performance spaces, a terraced garden, a sensory garden and enhanced street greening. The application follows several months of consultation with neighbouring organisations and other stakeholders.

The new park will be located on land on the other side of Queen Street from the former police headquarters building. Options for the former police building are currently being reviewed by the council.

Each space within the urban park will perform a range of environmental and social functions which will be categorised by the overarching themes of urban nature, community, heritage and arts and culture.

It will also improve pedestrian and cycle movement between the city centre and the beach.

It is also hoped that the new park will help encourage investment by the surrounding private buildings and landowners.

The planning application can be viewed via reference number 241111/DPP at Simple Search (aberdeencity.gov.uk).