Plans to permanently ban buses from a stretch of Union Street have been left mired in uncertainty following a contentious council showdown this week.
The debate on the future of Aberdeen’s famous Granite Mile has raged for many months – with passionate arguments made for and against pedestrianisation.
Monday’s momentous meeting and its aftermath, have thrown up numerous questions about where Aberdeen goes from here…
What was the big debate about?
The council’s ruling Labour and Conservative group wanted to push ahead with plans to permanently close off the Union Street stretch first shut in the spring of 2020 under Covid social distancing measures.
They say it’s the only way to boost footfall and inspire more investment in the once-bustling shopping district.
Their SNP and Liberal Democrat rivals, along with independent Marie Boulton, argued that the changes were only ever intended to be temporary.
They wanted rid of them, claiming they exclude disabled and elderly people from that part of the city.
So what happened?
Councillors instead backed an alternative vision out forward by Marie Boulton, including the possibility of keeping Union Street open to traffic.
Does this mean the end for pedestrianisation?
The scheme is now left swinging in the wind.
A local authority insider told us it could be difficult to revive the plans once buses are back on the stretch.
He reckons that once people get used to traffic being back on the disputed section, it will be even harder to secure support for pedestrianisation.
Council leader Jenny Laing was less pessimistic, but she believes the upcoming elections could essentially act as a barometer for public opinion.
This video was released by the council showing how a traffic-free Union Street could look:
In that case, it will depend on which side the future ruling administration takes.
As the insider put it, “they are off the table… Unless someone puts them back on the table”.
And that could happen at upcoming major meetings in June and August.
What is going to happen now?
Following a later, separate vote, it was decided to do away with the Spaces for People measures as soon as possible – and reopen the street to buses and taxis.
But this will take at least 12 weeks.
Why the wait?
There is currently hoarding surrounding the old BHS building at the bottom end of the stretch and Union Terrace Gardens at the top. Both jut out into the road.
Council officers say demolishing the former department store will take 12 weeks.
During that time, work will take place preparing Union Street for a return of traffic and letting residents know about the changes.
This is estimated to cost about £10,000.
Couldn’t it be reopened to two lanes of traffic?
This was discussed in the meeting, but ruled out as it would mean buses queuing behind one another at stops – creating a frustrating situation for passengers forced to wait in a snaking line of coaches.
So the indoor market is still being built at the site of the old BHS?
It’s not been called off, but concerns have been raised that £20m pledged by the UK Government could be in jeopardy.
There have previously been warnings that the grant is tied directly to pedestrianising the area in front of the old shop.
It will be for the UK Government to decide whether the decision is reviewed.
Does this mean the end of the bus gate that has netted thousands in fines for Aberdeen City Council?
Yes, the one between Sports Direct and Greggs will be removed, but don’t start celebrating too soon…
There will be another one erected – and already fears are being raised that it could be more confusing for drivers.
The new one, between Market Street and Bridge Street, will allow access for buses and taxis.
During the stormy meeting, some concerns were voiced that motorists may face fines should they be duped into thinking they are allowed on the stretch by seeing taxis there.
You can read more here.
Just how many empty units ARE there?
Council leader Jenny Laing questioned the need for the return of buses to the central stretch of Union Street.
As she bluntly put it in the meeting, there are barely any shops there for people to visit.
We had a look, and counted a dozen empty units along the portion in question.
More than double that number are filled, catering for shoppers’ needs whether they be in the mood for tacos, lingerie, vintage vinyl or vaping fluid.
Will buses help to boost businesses?
That remains to be seen.
A group of property gurus told us, on the eve of the meeting, that clients would be far more interested in opening on a pedestrianised Union Street.
One of the commercial property surveyors tweeted his disappointment after the meeting:
As Jim Bowen used to say….. “This is what you could have won” 🎯🐃😩 https://t.co/E57ynqVR9g
— derren mcrae (@derrenm) March 2, 2022
But Lib Dem leader Ian Yuill said that banning public transport could leave the spruced-up thoroughfare as little more than an “attractive desert”.
And Alex McLellan, in putting forth his successful argument to reopen the stretch, suggested that shops along the west end of the city centre are succeeding because they remain open to traffic.
What else was decided in the meeting?
There was more than just pedestrianisation on the packed agenda.
The council voted to progress its beach masterplan, swatting aside calls to exclude a new Dons stadium from the planning process.
Plans to create a “cafe culture” on Belmont Street were also passed.
And officers will also start work on improving the condition of buildings along Union Street.
That’s a lot of news in one day, did anything else happen?
Moments after the marathon session finally wrapped up, Jenny Laing announced she was stepping down from the council in May.
There were immediate suspicions this was a direct response to the Union Street setback, given that she had already been selected to stand in her Midstocket and Rosemount ward.
But Mrs Laing told us it was for family reasons, and a decision she reached at the weekend.
She says she wanted to wait until after the meeting to announce it after 9pm on Monday.
Why did the meeting last so long?
There were various other important matters on the menu, such as changes to the council’s rule book and its net zero aims.
But it was the discussion on the city centre that dominated proceedings, with so many members determined to have their say.
At one point, Depute Provost Jennifer Stewart issued a polite plea for elected members to keep in mind that officers were staying rather late while the talks rolled on.
The marathon running time may also have tested the patience of all but the most ardent armchair local democracy fans watching online.
You can watch the webcast here.
Read more about the controversial meeting and its fallout:
Rebecca Buchan: Use your council vote wisely to unlock Aberdeen’s full potential
Here’s where Union Street’s new bus gate will be
WATCH: Union Street vision which now faces scrapheap
Council to investigate turning Aberdeen’s John Lewis into museum