City's main thoroughfare faces long-term closure

A long-term closure of Aberdeen's central Union Street will start this month to allow for major upgrades to the city's main thoroughfare.

Aberdeen City Council has announced the work to widen pavements and create new cycle lanes will begin on 29 April.

Construction of the new Aberdeen Market will run alongside the streetscaping.

The work - which is due for completion in autumn 2025 - means buses will be unable to run between Market Street and Bridge Street.

They will be diverted via Schoolhill and Guild Street.

Businesses will not be offered any financial support during the period of disruption because there will still be access for pedestrians and delivery services.

Council co-leader Christian Allard said: "Everything will be open as normal, but it will have a different feel.

"I think businesses understand that it is worth it to make sure we have a fantastic city centre at the end of it."

The council said work on the new Aberdeen Market would create a "destination venue featuring international-style food and drink outlets".

A number of projects are ongoing to improve the fortunes of the city centre.

These include rent and business rate exemptions for new businesses and the creation of the Our Union Street body to focus on regeneration.