New drone footage has shown the scale of work to be done in Union Terrace Gardens – the day Aberdeen City Council hoped to hold a ‘soft opening’.
The Victorian park has been closed since summer 2019 to allow a £28 million refurbishment.
The revamp was initially expected to be finished last year.
But project chiefs blamed the coronavirus pandemic and severe weather for delaying their work.
‘Soft opening’ of Union Terrace Gardens called off at last minute
Now, announcing on the day of the planned ‘soft opening’ that it would not be going ahead, the council’s contractor has blamed “supply chain issues” for further hold ups.
A Balfour Beatty spokesman told the press: “External factors such as Covid-19 and more recently material supply issues continue to disrupt construction projects across the UK.
“As we move towards the anticipated completion of Union Terrace Gardens this summer we continue to work with our supply chain to minimise these effects.”
Meanwhile, council executive Angela Scott admitted all at the local authority were “naturally disappointed” the event would not be going ahead.
“We look forward to the full opening in due course,” she added.
The city’s top official did not confirm any future opening date for the public.
The council announced the ‘soft opening’ date 50 days ago, as part of the administration’s budget speech.
But the U-turn today comes just over a week before the local election.
The £28m Union Terrace Gardens revamp
For the £28m, new lifesaving barriers have been added to Union Bridge, three new pavilions have been built in an effort to draw businesses and crowds into the so-called green heart of the city centre, and a lift and ramps have been added to help more people access the iconic park.
Talks are at an advanced stage with a firm looking to take on the Rosemount pavilion, while work continues to find tenants for the other two.
Over the weekend, unbridled pedestrian access was restored to Union Bridge while Union Terrace reopened to two-way traffic.
The progress came as the footprint of the construction site was reduced as the heavy work nears completion.
In pictures: Union Terrace Gardens on cancelled ‘soft opening’ day
