New roles for park-and-ride sites
space could be used for transport training
Published:
PARK-AND-RIDE facilities in Aberdeen could soon be used for one-off training courses for motorcyclists, drivers and cyclists.
Hot food stands and car wash facilities could also be erected in the car parks at Kingswells and Bridge of Don if councillors agree to look at ways of better utilising the areas.
About 35% of the 900 spaces at the Kingswells site are regularly filled, while at Bridge of Don motorists fill about 75% of the 700 spaces.
Councillors are to consider a report at next week’s enterprise, planning and infrastructure meeting, which lays out ways of maximising the use of the car parks – primarily Kingswells, as it is fully owned and managed by Aberdeen City Council.
The Bridge of Don site is leased from Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre.
Possible uses for the car park fall into temporary and permanent categories, with examples of ad-hoc events ranging from community days to training and promotional events which encourage walking, cycling and the use of public transport.
The report also notes that Aberdeen City Council has also been approached by commercial groups keen to use the car parking facilities.
It adds: “It is recognised that as a council delivering best value to its community, and seeking to maximise the assets that we own and control, there may be an opportunity to consider additional complementary uses within those sites within our control, without undermining the primary function of the facility.
“In both of the above categories, there should at the very least be no additional costs to the council in supporting facilities or enabling any agreed complementary uses.
“The council and partner organisations have clear transportation strategies which support the key element of park-and-ride facilities, which we continue to deliver, promote and support.
“Complementary uses could be accommodated when the car park sites are not fully utilised.”The committee will consider the recommendations on Tuesday.
