The next phase of a multi-million pound pedestrianisation project in Aberdeen city centre will proceed on Monday- with council chiefs confident the project will be complete by the spring.
A schedule of works obtained by the Press and Journal shows that paving will be laid on Queen Street with work expected to last eight weeks as part of the £3.2million Broad Street scheme.
From Monday, pavement works on Gallowgate and Broad Street will begin alongside the beginning of the construction of a fountain.
The schedule states that the project should be complete by “spring/summer”.
Once it is complete, Broad Street will be open to pedestrians, buses and bicyles. However, a motion is due at next month’s full council to reconsider closing the street to all traffic.
Council masterplan spokeswoman Marie Boulton said the Queen Street works were intended to “frame” the street ahead of major upcoming renovation as part of the 25-year plan for the site.
She added: “Broad Street is really progressing now, and we are testing out the water tank ahead of the water feature we have planned outside Marischal College.
“We want to create a cultural quarter around Queens Street and these works are really a frame for that. We hope that it could move forward towards the end of the month.
“When finished, we hope that part of town will almost have the feel of a little village.
“I think that when the project is finished, people will be really satisfied with it.”
Opposition Liberal Democrat infrastructure spokesman Steve Delaney said: “This project has been hit by one delay after another, just like everything else this administration has tried to deliver.
“Everyone will be pleased to see these ongoing works completed but I’d like to think that common sense will prevail at next month’s council meeting when we look once more at pedestrianisation of Broad Street.
“This is a measure which would improve accessibility for disabled people and enhance the shopping/pedestrian experience for everyone”