Union St D-Day (16976)
Today Aberdeen councillors will decide whether to proceed with plans that include permanently pedestrianising the main part of Union Street or to reject the plans.
No one denies the need for change. Union St has been in free fall for 30 years now. But Aberdonians remember the pedestrianisation of Castle Gate that killed off the area. Aberdonians have also seen how successful pedestrianisations can be achieved in other cities. Key to those has been enabling access to shops and facilities by public transport users. Those users have been vocal that the current “temporary” arrangements are not working here. Shops have closed on the temporary area since buses were pulled out last year. The council have chosen not to engage with the bus operators on proposals and wish to see a pedestrianise now, work out access and traffic flow later proposal. Will counsellors listen to those that have not been engaged in the proposals and push for changes to the plans or accept them regardless?
A busy city centre bus stop can be seen here earlier in the week. Despite the bus shelter being closed, wooden trip hazards being built in front of the stop, real-time being switched off these users are still using the stop. Look at their shopping bags from shops around the bus stops. But other users have not returned. What will be the long term impact on the remaining shops from these proposals?
Union St D-Day (16976)
Today Aberdeen councillors will decide whether to proceed with plans that include permanently pedestrianising the main part of Union Street or to reject the plans.
No one denies the need for change. Union St has been in free fall for 30 years now. But Aberdonians remember the pedestrianisation of Castle Gate that killed off the area. Aberdonians have also seen how successful pedestrianisations can be achieved in other cities. Key to those has been enabling access to shops and facilities by public transport users. Those users have been vocal that the current “temporary” arrangements are not working here. Shops have closed on the temporary area since buses were pulled out last year. The council have chosen not to engage with the bus operators on proposals and wish to see a pedestrianise now, work out access and traffic flow later proposal. Will counsellors listen to those that have not been engaged in the proposals and push for changes to the plans or accept them regardless?
A busy city centre bus stop can be seen here earlier in the week. Despite the bus shelter being closed, wooden trip hazards being built in front of the stop, real-time being switched off these users are still using the stop. Look at their shopping bags from shops around the bus stops. But other users have not returned. What will be the long term impact on the remaining shops from these proposals?