The temporary closure of a north-east town centre will be great news for locals in the long run, a councillor has said.
Yesterday Aberdeenshire Council announced that sections of Chapel Street and Broad Street in Peterhead will be closed for six weeks from mid-January.
During the closure, “various carriageway and footway works” will be done to allow the completion of a new budget hotel and the reintroduction of traffic to the area.
Peterhead’s Chapel Street and Marischal Street were shut to cars more than a decade ago in a bid to boost trade in the town centre, but in recent years pedestrian numbers have fallen away.
In 2015 the council has been working to reintroduce traffic to the roads, in an effort to lure shoppers back and regenerate the area – a scheme approved by local councillors in April.
Last night independent councillor Tom Malone said: “To say I’m pleased would be an understatement. I’m delighted. The fact we are approaching both the completion of Travelodge and the opening up of Chapel Street is absolutely great news.
“Clearly it will cause some inconvenience, but it is well worth the trouble given that these issues have been problematic for years.”
Mr Malone added: “To see both the flats and the street revitalised and rejuvenated as part of the bigger picture of regeneration, is a win-win situation.”
The Chapel Street works will allow budget hotel chain Travelodge to complete part of their refurbishment on derelict flats in the street.
The development is part of a £75million investment across Scotland by the firm, and the 60-bed hotel is due to open in the spring.
During the six week closure – which begins on Monday, January 11 – an alternative route for traffic will be available via Backgate, Ellis Street and Longate. Pedestrian and emergency access will be maintained.
A local authority spokeswoman added: “Aberdeenshire Council apologises for any inconvenience the works may cause.”