Traders look forward to distancing measures being lifted from streets

Traders in Aberdeen’s West End have learned when their streets will return to normal – after more than a year of disruption in the name of physical distancing.

Council staff have been working across the city to restore the roads changed as part of a £1.76 million physical distancing project, which resulted in a one-way system.

And now, business owners in Chapel Street, Rose Street and Thistle Street have been told removal of the Spaces For People measures will begin on September 21.

The news was welcomed by the majority of bosses, the chairwoman of the West End Traders’ Association, Maura Tighe, said.

“Just visually, it doesn’t look great – it is almost a mental barrier, never mind physical, as it looks like things are closed off.

“So just having all the street architecture removed will just open up the area so we can welcome people back.

“There is a feeling there is plenty of space to enable people to move about safely. Overall businesses are all saying they are looking forward to people getting back to enjoy it the way it was.”

Planners had wooden seating installed outside hospitality businesses in the area as part of the work, which Ms Tighe, of Gallery Heinzel in Thistle Street, said would not be missed.

She added: “Access has been an issue for the restaurants along Chapel Street and Rose Street, with the increase in delivery and takeaway orders during the pandemic. So actually, access for cars is almost more important to them than people sitting outside in the street.”

The West End was one of the first to be impacted by the local authority’s hasty rollout of the Spaces For People changes, which were implemented to increase space for pedestrians and cyclists.

Funded by a Scottish Government grant, it was hoped it would give more room for safe distancing in the coronavirus pandemic and boost the number of people leaving their cars at home.

The process expanded through the city, from Union Street, the West End and around Belmont Street to Torry, Rosemount, George Street and, briefly, at the beach too.

Work has already started to free the city of the Covid restrictions in some parts, though in others they will be maintained while the hospitality trade continues to make use of outdoor trading.

Legions of bollards and cones have already been lifted in George Street, while Rosemount Place returned to two-way traffic this week.

Council staff will not move on to Torry’s Victoria Road until a week on Monday.

A week later, it will be the turn of the West End – with roads chiefs announcing disruption in the area for seven days from Tuesday September 21.

New road markings being painted last year.