Warnings have been issued ahead of expected major traffic delays around Aberdeen this weekend.
Motorists are advised to seek alternative routes in the city this weekend as two parts of the city are expected to be particularly busy.
A new IKEA store opened in the city today in Wellington Circle and the roads around there are predicted to have a significant amount of extra traffic on Saturday and Sunday as shoppers take full advantage of their first chance to visit the store.
In addition, on Sunday, the Baker Hughes 10k is taking place, while Aberdeen host Ross County at Pittodrie.
The route for the Baker Hughes 10k will start at the Race Village on Beach Boulevard and take runners out towards Aberdeen Harbour before heading along the Beach Esplanade and looping back round the King’s Links golf course.
Aberdeen City Council Communities, Housing and Infrastructure convener Councillor Neil Cooney said: “The last match of the football season and the Baker Hughes 10k race are always big events for the city and it was unfortunate there was a clash this year.
“The opening of the new IKEA Aberdeen Order and Collection point is also an exciting and long-awaited event for many people in Aberdeen and the surrounding areas and people will naturally want to go there at the weekend.
“We’d ask motorists not travelling to these places to consider finding an alternative route if possible as the roads around the beach/King Street and Wellington Circle areas are sure to be much more busy than normal.”
So what do drivers need to know?
- From 6am, the Beach Esplanade from King Street at Bridge of Don to New Pier Road and Pittodrie Street will be closed, reopening in the afternoon.
- Beach Boulevard from Links Road to the Beach Esplanade will be closed from 8am until 2pm, with the road from Links Road to Wellington Street closed until noon.
- Elsewhere, a number of other routes will be closed to traffic from 9am until 10.30am to make way for the crowds, including Wellington Street to Waterloo Quay, York Place heading to York Street, Pocra Quay and New Pier Road.
- There will be no traffic access on Commerce Street southbound from Virginia Street and Miller Street to Waterloo Quay.
- Regent Walk at Golf Road eastbound, and Seaton Crescent to Seaton Road, Seaton Drive, Seaton Walk to King Street will all be closed from 8am to 1pm.
- Kick-off between the Dons and Ross County is at 12.30pm and people should be aware Pittodrie Street between Ardarroch Road and Golf Road will be closed from 6.30am except to those with valid AFC passes.
