Works around Aberdeen’s art gallery are expected to take “several weeks” and are expected to begin imminently.
But council chiefs have insisted the repairs on a telecom box near the war memorial will not interfere in the solemn Armistice Day commemorations on November 11 – just a month away.
BT will conduct the works to allow for further development of the street next year around the historic art gallery which is currently undergoing a £30million revamp.
Pavements around the gallery are to be widened ahead of its opening next year, with the improvements set to coincide with the closure of Robert Gordon’s College.
Last night a local authority spokesman said the telecoms work ataround the western end of the building would start in mid-October and are “expected to take several weeks”.
He added that the authority was confident work would be finished before Armistice Day.
Car access to Schoolhill and Blackfriars Street will not be significantly affected by the works and measures will be put in place to maintain pedestrian access to crossing points, the spokesman added.
The slip road outside Robert Gordon’s College is being retained and realigned and will remain open during both throughout the October project and during construction work next year.
Last month it emerged that the reopening of Aberdeen’s art gallery has been delayed again, with council leaders confirming it will not open until Autumn 2019 at the earliest.
The gallery, Cowdray Hall and the Remembrance Hall were expected to open late this year or, at the worst, early next year.
Last night George Street and Harbour SNP councillor Michael Hutchison said: “There’s been a significant amount of work in this area lately, a lot of which has overrun and added to disruption for people.
“It would be a nice change if this work could be delivered on time to minimise disruption.”
Liberal Democrat Martin Greig added: “The remembrance service is an extremely important annual event.
“It is vital that the ceremony is able to proceed in the usual way with the minimum of disruption.”
Council masterplan spokeswoman Marie Boulton said: “The Schoohill improvement scheme and long term plans for the area are very much aligned with the city centre masterplan’s vision of Aberdeen as a greener, safer, more inclusive city.”
