Major roadworks on on a key section of Union Street has faced delays, with the council attributing the sluggish progress to “contractor productivity”.
The extensive project, which involves broadening sidewalks and establishing dedicated bike lanes, has effectively closed off nearly the entire street between Market Street and Bridge Street since the summer of 2024.
According to The Press and Journal, this disruption is now expected to extend for an additional year.
Initially, it was anticipated that the work would be completed by the end of 2025; however, this timeline has now been extended to spring 2026.
In a report scheduled for presentation to a council finance committee next week, chief capital officer John Wilson detailed various factors contributing to the delays, including “less than required contractor productivity”.
Scottish Conservative North East MSP and former council co-leader Douglas Lumsden commented: “This announcement is extremely disappointing and highlights the shambolic handling of the redevelopment of Union Street by this SNP-Lib Dem administration.
“The council has taken their eye off the ball and the blame lies solely at their door – not the workers.
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“Businesses that have remained loyal to Union Street throughout these works now face paying the price for the council’s negligence in allowing timescales to slip.
“This is compounded by the council’s appalling decision to implement permanent bus gates and LEZs which are starving businesses of footfall.
“The future prosperity of Aberdeen relies on breathing new life into our city centre, but this SNP-Lib Dem administration seem hell-bent on doing the opposite.”
