Council chiefs were castigated for cancelling the Union Street event yesterday due to public safety issues.
Aberdeen’s In Town Without My Car Day was called off just an hour before the event was due to start, which meant that lots of disappointed people had already travelled to the city.
Citing the “persistent gusting winds” as the main reason for the decision, a council statement said the weather conditions meant public safety would have been risked.
But some visitors said there was “hardly any wind at all” and questioned the decision to cancel.
Today’s In Town Without My Car Day cancelled due to “gusting winds”
A would-be daredevil, Allison Brown, from Tillydrone had made the trip to Union Street with her 13-year-old son and was angered at the “last minute” decision to cancel.
She said: “I’m not happy – it is hardly even windy at all – and I think some of the stuff could still have gone ahead.
“Because of the Sunday bus service, we had to leave much earlier than usual. My son has autism and it took me a while to calm him down.
Social Media Outrage
People voiced their frustration at the cancelled event posting on the Aberdeen City Council Facebook page.
“Luckily, he didn’t have a massive meltdown, but he was angry and I’ve had to buy him something to pacify him. He had been so excited about the zip wire as he’s a bit of a daredevil.”
The annual event was due to start at 10am, and was aimed at encouraging people to leave their vehicles at home, and to use public transport, cycling, or walking as alternatives.
The initiative included several stalls, inflatable obstacles, a bungee run and face painting.
A first for Aberdeen, a giant zip wire called Skyfall had also been planned for those brave enough to slide at height along Union Street.
Rosemount resident Alison Daly had also been planning to attend with her daughter and seven-year-old granddaughter.
She said: “We were really looking forward to the event, as we hadn’t been in previous years.
“I think an earlier decision should have been made. My granddaughter was really looking forward to the zip slide.”
A statement released by Aberdeen City Council yesterday morning said: “Please be advised that we have taken the decision to cancel In Town Without My Car Day in the interests of public safety.
“Due to the content of the event which includes inflatables, temporary demountable structures and activities at height, the persistent gusting winds are hampering safe installation of the activities across the event site.
“This decision has been arrived at following the ongoing review of weather forecasts since 5.00am on Sunday, on site wind speed readings as per our wind management plan and safe site build under CDM 2015 regulations.
“We apologise for any inconvenience caused, and look forward to hosting the event in Aberdeen city centre in 2019.”