An Aberdeen waterway will cut through a new city park for the first time since the end of World War II under ambitious plans in the Granite City.
A sod-cutting ceremony was held yesterday for the start of a £1.5million project which will create a new community park out of scrubland in Middlefield.
The Middlefield Project will include raising the Scatterburn from underground to above ground to work as a flood alleviation scheme, while creating new pedestrian and cycle-friendly paths, improved pavements on two streets beside the development, and installing new landscaping.
The Scatterburn used to be above ground, but it is believed town planners put it underground just after WWII.
The project is being split into phases with the ground-clearing and Scatterburn work included in the first phase.
The authority’s infrastructure convener, Yvonne Allan, said: “It’s fantastic that work has started on the Middlefield Project, because it will make a big difference in the lives of people who live in the area to have an attractive park on their doorstep.
“The community will also be involved in helping to design the new planting areas of the park which will complement some of the existing natural features in the area.
“I look forward to watching the work progressing in the coming months and we are pleased to be working with our partners.”
Mike Cantlay, chairman of Scottish Natural Heritage, the organisation which is helping to fund the project, is equally enthusiastic about the initiative.
He added: “The impact of a robust green infrastructure on a community can be revolutionary, from improving physical and mental health, attracting business to an area, to reducing flood risk and improving biodiversity.”
Tom Bishop, community links manager at Sustrans Scotland, said: “We welcome the development at Middlefield and look forward to seeing the space developed to become a community amenity that supports active travel in Aberdeen.”