Section of Union Street to be permanently pedestrianised
Councillors voted on the matter today, with much debate around buses and taxis
Last updated 12th Nov 2021
The section of Union Street which became pedestrianised as part of the spaces for people programme is set to become a permanent fixture.
Aberdeen City Councillors today voted to implement the change.
The section, referred to as Central Union Street, sits between Union Terrace Gardens and Market Street.
Work will have to be undertaken, and that could be completed by Spring next year.
The topic has proven to be a divisive one, with Councillor Marie Boulton who is actually part of the Council administration submitting an amendment to the proposal.
As did the leaders of the SNP and Lib Dem groups.
However both Councillor Boulton and Lib Dem Leader Ian Yuill saw there amendments fail to gain a seconder, and therefore they were not taken on.
The motion tied 4-4 with Convener Ryan Houghton, the Leader of the Conservative group in the Council then being granted the deciding vote.
A late attempt by SNP Leader Councillor Alex Nicoll to bring the matter before full Council was denied.
Much of the debate surrounded allowing buses and taxis onto the central section of the street - but the main proposal suggested the zone would be exempt to all vehicles.
Earlier in the city growth and resource committee meeting Councillors heard from Mr Hussein Patwa from the Aberdeen City Disability Equity Partnership.
He made a plea for Councillors to "pause" on the move, and take at least six months for further consultation.
He highlighted possible accessibility issues, especially for those with disabilities, with public transport and parking.
Frank Whitaker of Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Hotels Association however suggested the change could be a major tourism boost.
The committee also voted to have officers provide an Outline Business Case (OBC) for a potential new joint facility with Aberdeen Football Club, and that the OBC considers a funding model that requires both the Council and Aberdeen Football Club to fund their share with no cross subsidy.