More city centre road disruption as key bus route closes for four days

Aberdeen’s city centre is set to experience further traffic and public transport disruption this week, as a key arterial route ...

July 29, 2026

Aberdeen’s city centre is set to experience further traffic and public transport disruption this week, as a key arterial route near the railway station closes for four days, coinciding with ongoing long-term works on another major thoroughfare.

From 4 am on Thursday, 30th July, Guild Street will implement a full closure for the latest phase of bridge road surface repairs. This closure is scheduled to last until 5 pm on Sunday, 2nd August.

The work follows an initial phase, which began in May, involving the relaying of sett channels along the carriageway, followed by a 28-day curing period. The current phase will see the removal of the remaining setts and full resurfacing of the carriageway with asphalt.

To mitigate the impact on traffic flow, Aberdeen City Council has confirmed a temporary suspension of both the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) and bus gate measures in the area for the duration of the Guild Street works.

“A full closure will be in place from approximately July 30 2026 for about four days to remove the remaining setts and resurface the carriageway using an asphalt. The bus gates and LEZ have been suspended for the duration of the works. We apologise for any inconvenience,” an Aberdeen City Council spokesperson stated.

This imminent closure compounds existing challenges posed by the ongoing works on Virginia Street. This vital route, along with Trinity Quay (between Commerce Street and Market Street), has been closed westbound since 7th July, and is expected to remain shut until 5 pm on Friday, 7th August. Scottish Water is undertaking underground test drilling in the area to assess ground conditions. This exploratory work is crucial for planning future infrastructure improvements aimed at alleviating persistent flooding issues within the Merchant Quarter, an area frequently affected by sewer network incapacity and its low-lying position.

The extended closure of Virginia Street means a diversion route via Commerce Street, East North Street, King Street, Union Street, and Market Street. Additionally, the bus gate heading southbound on Market Street has been suspended, and temporary removal of one-way restrictions on Regent Quay (between Marischal Street and Trinity Quay) and Shore Road is in place to facilitate local access.

Extensive Bus Service Diversions Announced

Both First Bus and Stagecoach have announced extensive revisions to their timetables and routes to navigate the Guild Street closure. These changes will be effective from 4 am on Thursday, 30th July, until 5 pm on Sunday, 2nd August.

First Bus services facing significant alterations include:

Service 1B (to Dubford/Guild Street): Will divert from Castle Street via Broad Street, Upperkirkgate, Union Terrace, Bridge Street, then left onto Wapping Street before rejoining its normal route.
Services 1, 2, and 13 (to Garthdee/Scatterburn): Will reroute from Castle Street via Broad Street, Upperkirkgate, Union Terrace, onto Union Street, and then resume their normal routes.
Services 11/11A (to Countesswells/Craigiebuckler): Will divert from Gallowgate via Broad Street, Upperkirkgate, and Union Terrace before resuming their normal routes.
Services 17, 18, and 172 (to Kincorth): Will travel from Gallowgate via Broad Street, Upperkirkgate, Union Terrace, onto Union Street, and then continue on their normal routes.
Services 3, 3A, 12, 15, and 15B (from Torry to City, typically using Market Street): Will be diverted from Victoria Bridge via North Esplanade West, South College Street, and College Street to Bridge Street, before resuming their normal routes.

Stagecoach has also detailed revised routes for its services during this period. Outbound services, typically travelling towards Victoria Bridge and North Esplanade West, will be diverted from Market Street. They will proceed via Victoria Bridge, onto North Esplanade West, then to South College Street from the roundabout, onto Bridge Street, and subsequently resume their normal operations. Services impacted include routes 5, 6, 10, 35, 201, 202, 206, 218, 727, X8, X9, X18, X20, and X35.