Bus lane and LEZ fine cash to fund 'greening' of city centre
Aberdeen City Council co-leader Councillor Ian Yuill said: 'We are working to make the city centre an even better place for people to spend time. Improvements to street lighting, and to the city centre environment help achieve that.'
Net Zero, Environment, and Transport vice-convenor Miranda Radley added: "The budget allocated today will allow the Council, working with partners, to brighten the city centre, improve pedestrian access and encourage more people to enjoy the space we have in the city centre."
The Council's Finance and Resources Committee approved in March the funding surplus for bus lane enforcement of £2,635,268 and LEZ £669,000 and that the projects would be agreed by the Net Zero, Environment and Transport Committee.
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The report to committee said discussions have been ongoing with partners such as Aberdeen Inspired to identify impactful projects that could be progressed and be aligned to the delivery of the wider City Centre Masterplan, using the bus lane enforcement money.
These include £200,000 for lighting improvements and £300,000 to enhance the pedestrian environment around Guild Street, and to improve journeys and wayfinding between Union Square and Union Street.
In March 2025, Council agreed to spend £200,000 to support the re-establishment of a bicycle rental scheme in Aberdeen to be funded from the LEZ surplus. Discussions have been ongoing between the council's Environmental Manager and partners to consider projects that could be progressed.
An additional £71,000 was also allocated by Committee on Wednesday under the 'Greening the City Centre' theme.
Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, said: 'We are grateful to Aberdeen City Council for its continued engagement and support on ways to improve the city centre to attract more footfall and help boost the economy.
'We look forward to working with the council on any and all initiatives to help regenerate the heart of the Granite City.'
Bob Keillor, of Our Union Street, said: 'This is excellent news and we look forward to working with Aberdeen City Council colleagues to bring much needed colour and greenery to a section of Union Street. Our army of volunteers 'The Street Union' will be delighted too as they have seen the difference that their cleanup efforts are making every week.'
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