A split has emerged in Aberdeen’s ruling council administration over plans to create a new civic square in the heart of the city.
The Press and Journal understands that there is a dispute behind-the-scenes over whether to fully pedestrianise Broad Street as part of the controversial Marischal Square development.
Councillors previously backed a complete ban on vehicles from the area outside Marischal College, in order to create a new civic space in the city centre.
The move was considered following the abandonment of the Sir Ian Wood-backed revamp of Union Terrace Gardens in 2012.
However, the council’s newly adopted city centre masterplan proposes “retaining bus movements on a day-to-day basis”, although it makes clear that it would be “designed in a manner so that it can be transformed into an event ready space on special occasions”.
It is understood that some members of the Labour-Conservative-Independent coalition back that proposal, while others want to remove all traffic from the area.
City centre councillor Nathan Morrison, a Labour member for the George Street and Harbour ward, revealed he supported the complete pedestrianisation.
“I think a civic square there, along with improvements to the Castlegate and Queen Street, would be very good and would bring people into the city,” he said.
“Full pedestrianisation, I think, would be the best thing.
“Obviously we’ll have to see what happens. I’m speaking as a local member, and I think it’s very important.
“I think that a number of people within the administration would like to see this happen.”