A flagship redevelopment project is to be re-examined after it was savaged by Aberdeen City Council’s own disability watchdog.
The architects of the revamp of Broad Street have been accused of putting “pretty pictures” before safety and ignoring pleas for changes.
Work on turning the road into a part-pedetrianised civic square is due to start in February and the authority asked its Disability Equity Partnership to examine the proposals.
The new body – chaired by ex-MP Anne Begg – raised concerns about the materials being used, the removal of blue badge parking and “trip hazard” street furniture.
But angry members claimed that when they met with the city planners and private firms who drew up the blueprint they were confronted by “a complete failure of understanding”.
While it was welcome that the council was seeking to avoid previous access problems by consulting in advance, it had become a “tick-box exercise”, they warned.
Dame Anne told a meeting of the DEP the architects appeared “only interested in aesthetics rather than the safety of people”.
“We’ve influenced them in some ways so it’s not all wasted but it’s still not good enough.”
She said paving an area shared with vehicles in “shades of grey” could be hard for visually impaired pedestrians to navigate – and slippery for everyone.
Fellow wheelchair user Ron Holding complained that a vital parking space was being removed to make way for trees.
“There’s not just a lack of understanding, there is a complete absence. They are putting the foliage before us and this has to be rethought,” he told the meeting.
Katrina Michie, of Shopmobility Aberdeen, said: “The architect just didn’t get it. He could not see past his pretty picture. He just couldn’t understand why there was a problem.”
Council finance convenor Willie Young said the council would “get back around the table” with the designers to seek improvements – but stressed that budgets were limited.
“It is disappointing that they felt that way,” he said.
“We absolutely have to listen and our door is always open. I have contacted Anne Begg to see what we can do to help and to make sure we understand.
“Safety always takes priority however we do not have unlimited pots of cash.
“There is a middle ground somewhere that will satisfy us both.”
