Several key streets may be pedestrianised as Aberdeen City Council moves ahead with its 25-year masterplan for the city centre.
A spokesman for the authority revealed the proposals last night for “enhancing evening activity” on Justice Mill Lane, Langstane Place and Windmill Brae.
The plan is to make the three streets pedestrian and cycle only in the evenings, through the night and into the early morning, seven days a week.
Also under consideration is a ban on vehicles from a short stretch of Langstane Place between Dee Street and Crown Street, at all times, and the permanent introduction of a section of one-way on Windmill Brae between Crown Street and Bath Street.
Council chiefs said leaflets have been distributed in the area and comments are being collected until October 31.
Discussions have been ongoing in recent weeks about a potential change of course for Broad Street – which has been designated as a “partial pedestrianisation” open only to buses and bikes.
Some leading councillors have called for all traffic to be banned.
But the suggestion has met stiff opposition from bus firms which say it is an essential part of their routes.
Marie Boulton, the ruling coalition’s city centre spokeswoman, said: “The feedback will allow us to work up the detail of the proposals and how the scheme might operate. It’s important to get a feel from local residents and businesses about the opportunities and challenges.
“During consultation on the masterplan it became clear that people wanted more pedestrian priority. We are committed to enhancing the city centre experience and can do that best by taking a partnership approach to projects.”
Opposition SNP infrastructure spokesman Michael Hutchison said: “Given the night time economy here, and the low levels of traffic at these times, I think that making these streets pedestrian and cycle only is simple common sense.”
Liberal Democrat group leader Ian Yuill said his group would decide on each individual project as part of the 25-year scheme and that the masterplan wasn’t “written on tablets of stone”.
He said: “The key thing here is that proper consultation is carried out with the public.
“The Labour, Conservative, Independent administration over the past five years has been very good at telling people what is good for them without being sure that is what they want.”
A report is expected to go to the council early next year.
