Multi-million-pound plans to reclaim space at the Beach Boulevard for pedestrians and cyclists have been unveiled.
Road capacity on the strip could be radically reduced from four lanes to two as part of a much larger scheme to limit traffic along the seafront.
And city planners have produced two designs hoped to address long held safety concerns for the Beach Boulevard/Commerce Street roundabout, which also leads down to the harbour.
Both priced at nearly £12.3 million, the proposals could improve the roundabout with segregated bike lanes – or remove it altogether to make way for traffic lights.
But councillors are being recommended to rubber stamp maintaining the junction in its current form – albeit reprioritised to focus on non car users.
The plans are part of a wider shift in attitudes, as city chiefs try to prioritise pedestrians, cyclists and other active travel over motor traffic.
Work could begin next summer and is expected to take two years.
What would the £12m Beach Boulevard roundabout work achieve?
Commissioning director Gale Beattie says the new setup would allow more space for pedestrians and cyclists negotiating the busy roundabout.
The new crossings installed would shorten walking distances and reduce time spent waiting for the green man to appear.
An improved roundabout would have little impact on traffic queuing and – it is hoped – lower speeds of vehicles.
A bird’s eye view of the planned changes at the Beach Boulevard roundabout in Aberdeen:
- Planning documents show the proposed new bike lanes in orange.
- Pedestrian areas are marked in yellow.
- Green sections highlight planned spots for trees and landscaping.
Work would also create new segregated cycle lanes, connecting the city centre with a new-look Beach Boulevard.
That is despite roads planners admitting the new layout could be “confusing” for some – including pedestrians who would have to cross the multiple bike lanes.
On the other hand, lobbyists for improved cycling infrastructure have long raised concerns about the Beach Boulevard roundabout, calling for the segregated lanes.
Compared to the traffic light option, the facelift would maintain access to all roads currently leading into the roundabout.
Why not pursue traffic lights option?
Axing the roundabout would halt access to the Beach Boulevard from little-used Justice Street and pose problems for access to Aberdeen Health Village in Frederick Street.
Although traffic lights are priced at the same £12.3 million as the roundabout improvements, that price could “considerably increase” when required improvements to surrounding roads to be used as diversions are taken into account.
New-look Beach Boulevard could be reduced from four lanes to two
Meanwhile, leading people down towards the seafront, the Beach Boulevard could be in for a facelift.
Currently around tw0 thirds of the street’s 27.5m (90ft) width is dedicated to vehicles.
But new plans drawn up are an attempt to tip the scales in favour of pedestrians and cyclists there too.
However, these blueprints are yet to be properly tested to ensure they can cope with the volume of traffic that will use the route.
The wide road, with ample parking, is being sized up for a reduction down to a single lane each way.
Plans for a community garden are also being considered near the boulevard’s junction with Links Road.
Beyond that crossroads, new parks are planned to line either side of a pedestrianised road – as part of a major shake up at the beachfront.
There’s no sign of an Aberdeen cableway despite private plans for the multi-million-pound venture, exclusively revealed in The Press and Journal earlier this month.
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