Business bosses have banded together in a last-ditch push for pedestrianisation ahead of the council again voting on the controversial Union Street plans.
An open letter signed by 138 senior figures has been sent to all councillors ahead of tomorrow’s crunch meeting on the future of the Granite Mile.
Local authority planners have urged full pedestrianisation of the Market Street to Bridge Street stretch.
Union Street pedestrianisation: The options
That recommendation came last week, only hours before buses and taxis made their long-awaited return to the disputed 300-metre strip.
The work proposed would widen pavements, create a new central cyclist-priority zone, and allow service vehicle access at restricted times.
Other options on the shortlist include returning Union Street to its pre-2020 layout or bus, bike and taxi access.
Along with proposals for a revamp of the beachfront, it’s part of the £150 million masterplan to revitalise the city.
Union Street pedestrianisation is also tied to the £50m new market project.
Business chiefs urged Union Street pedestrianisation on the eve of vote
Now, on the eve of the vote, business improvement body Aberdeen Inspired has pulled together dozens of major names urging councillors to “unlock a brighter future for the city centre”.
The signatories said: “It will signal positive and progressive change that will ultimately transform the heart and fortunes of our city, which was sadly on a downward trajectory even before Covid.
“Removing traffic and creating an attractive oasis will encourage people back into the city and allow the café culture we have come to enjoy during the pandemic to flourish.
“We cannot afford to miss this opportunity to halt the further decline of Union Street and revitalise our city centre.
“Without pedestrianisation, we risk losing even more retailers from the city centre and will be severely hampered in our ability to attract new enterprises.”
Who has signed the Union Street letter to Aberdeen councillors?
Aberdeen Inspired chief executive Adrian Watson is joined by heavyweights including:
- Aberdeen Asset Management co-founder Martin Gilbert
- Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce chairman Bob Keiller
- Construction mogul and former Aberdeen FC chairman Stewart Milne
- Knight Property Group founder James Barrack
It also includes representatives from food and drink venues such as Amarone, Chaophraya, McGinty’s Group boss Allan Henderson – as well as managers at his pubs – and Fierce Beer.
Do you agree? Read on to have your say in our P&J poll on Union Street pedestrianisation
Architects and surveyors, barbers and salon owners, florists, the headmaster of Albyn School, senior Dons director Rob Wicks and many others acting as individuals have also lent their name to the cause.
Together, they claim pedestrianisation is the way to pull other big city projects, such as Union Terrace Gardens, Marischal Square, Marischal College, the Art Gallery and the new Aberdeen market together.
Almost 8,000 citizens who took part in a council consultation on city centre priorities placed pedestrianisation of Union Street as a top priority.
A Chamber of Commerce survey showed nearly four in five businesses backed a vehicle-free plaza on the Granite Mile.
Accessibility concerns ‘can and must be addressed’, say business bosses
In February, the SNP and Liberal Democrats – now in charge – voted against pedestrianisation, fearing it would exclude those with disabilities from the area if public transport were cut off.
New bus stops would be installed close to the closed-off stretch, as well as more blue badge spaces and taxi ranks.
The business bosses agree there are “legitimate concerns about accessibility”, though they say these “can and must be addressed”.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak last week told The P&J £20m in funding for the new market could be on the line if the main thoroughfare is not closed.
Have YOUR say on the big questions ahead of crunch council meeting on Aberdeen’s future
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