Aberdeen motorists are set to encounter significant disruption as South College Street, a crucial city centre thoroughfare, will implement a full closure for three months starting Monday, September 7, 2026.
The extensive works are being undertaken by SSEN Transmission as part of a vital underground electricity cable replacement project designed to bolster the city’s power infrastructure.
The closure, scheduled from 4am on September 7 until 5pm on Friday, December 18, 2026, is essential for repairing an underground duct system and installing new cabling beneath the road surface. This critical infrastructure upgrade aims to replace decades-old components connecting the Redmoss and Clayhills substations, ensuring a secure and reliable electricity supply for Aberdeen for future decades.
The necessity for a full road closure stems from an identified issue of water ingress affecting a section of the underground duct system, which has prevented the installation of the remaining cable.
According to Hannah Fergie, Project Manager at SSEN Transmission: “During the final stage of this major cable replacement project, we identified water entering part of the underground duct system, which must be addressed before the final section of cable can be installed. Unfortunately, because of the location of the affected ducting, a full closure of South College Street is required to allow repairs to be carried out safely.”
The works will involve excavation extending from the current site at the junction of Millburn Street and South College Street towards the Clayhills substation. Efforts will be made to complete the repairs in sections, with areas being reinstated following replacement and testing of the ducting.
To mitigate the impact on city centre traffic, Aberdeen City Council will suspend the bus gates on both Bridge Street and Guild Street in both directions for the duration of the works. Access for residents and businesses will be maintained via Palmerston Place, subject to height restrictions, with clearly signed diversion routes in place.
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Diversion routes will guide northbound traffic via North Esplanade West, Market Street, and Guild Street, while southbound motorists will be directed along Wellington Place, Crown Street, Ferryhill Road, Whinhill Road, Great Southern Road, and Riverside Drive. It is noteworthy that these works will overlap for at least four days with separate SSEN operations on nearby Riverside Drive, which are due to conclude at 5pm on Thursday, September 10, 2026.
South College Street has been the focus of substantial investment in recent years, including an almost £11 million upgrade between 2022 and 2023 as part of the Aberdeen City Centre Masterplan. These previous improvements were designed to increase capacity, enhance traffic flow, and facilitate quicker bus journey times through the city centre, making the current three-month closure a significant challenge for local commuters and businesses.
SSEN Transmission has acknowledged the patience of residents, businesses, and road users, stating: “We will do everything possible to reopen the road at the earliest opportunity, circumstances permitting. Once completed, this project will help maintain a secure and reliable electricity supply for Aberdeen for decades to come.”
