News on Spaces for People Aberdeen

A new online platform launched today (12 Jun, 2020) will empower people to share their suggestions for creating safer spaces in Aberdeen for walking, cycling and wheeling as the current Covid-19 restrictions are eased.

Funded through Scottish Government’s Spaces for People programme, and run in collaboration with Sustrans Scotland and Aberdeen City Council, the Commonplace Mapping Tool will allow users to highlight ‘pinch points’ across the city centre and neighbourhoods, where emergency temporary measures such as pavement widening and new cycle lanes could be introduced to help people maintain physical distancing and suppress a resurgence of the virus.

Aberdeen City Council recently announced its first phase of far-reaching set of suggested measures as part of its Spaces for People programme, to make it easier and safer for pedestrians, wheelers and cyclists to move around the city.

And, as well as providing extra space for distancing, the proposals also acknowledge the recent surge in active travel.

Aberdeen City Council transport spokesperson Councillor Sandra Macdonald said: “The Commonplace map tool is a very welcome additional way for people to feedback to us on the temporary measures we’re putting in place for pedestrians to move and queue safely near shops, cafes and restaurants.

“We’re installing these temporary measures, including pedestrianisation of some city centre streets, to help protect the health and wellbeing of residents and assist the NHS in reducing Covid-19 transmissions as we move out of lockdown.”

Dave Keane, Infrastructure Manager, Sustrans Scotland, said: "Aberdeen City Council has shown great ambition to make it easier for people to get around safely on foot, by bike or wheelchair as we transition out of lockdown.

“We hope people living in Aberdeen will engage with the Commonplace mapping tool – it’s really simple, clear and easy to give feedback. Most importantly, it will help the council get a clear picture of where temporary interventions are needed most."

Responses received through the Commonplace platform will be recorded and used to inform plans, with temporary interventions prioritised that offer the greatest benefit to public health, balances the needs of all users, and can be delivered in a short timeframe.

All measures that are introduced will be closely monitored and refined or adapted in response to any issues, where necessary. The design process for any interventions will consider all road users, particularly people with mobility or visual impairments, with engagement already underway with disabled people groups.