Calls to turn Beach Leisure Centre site into car park amid traffic chaos fears when new playpark opens

Calls have been made for Aberdeen’s flattened former Beach Leisure Centre site to be used as a temporary car park amid fears over traffic chaos when the new seafront playpark opens.

The council is spending millions transforming the coastline into an attractive destination.

And the piece de resistance will be the eye-catching rope factory playpark, which will be the biggest of its kind in the UK.

Bosses hope the free-to-use play area will serve as a mecca, luring excited youngsters to the seafront from far and wide.

Along with the futuristic play equipment, there will be an events arena capable of welcoming 11,000 revellers at a time.

But concerns are now beginning to emerge that accompanying problems could soon materialise if the beach project proves to be as popular as hoped.

Already, there can be problems getting parked in the area on busy occasions – such as during big Dons games or sunny weather.

North East Scotland MSP Liam Kerr has now raised concerns about whether there will be enough parking to cope with the expected influx of visitors.

And he is pushing for more to be done before families flock to the new attraction.

Could flattened leisure centre be turned into parking?

Writing to Aberdeen City Council’s chief executive Angela Scott and council co-leaders Christian Allard and Ian Yuill, the Conservative MSP asks about the need for extra parking.

He pointed to the parking chaos that followed the opening of Hazlehead Park’s new playground a few years ago.

He wrote: “You will recall vehicles lining the streets for miles when the playground at Hazlehead Park opened two years ago.

“The lack of sufficient parking there led to significant disruption, with tailbacks extending to the roundabouts at Hazlehead Avenue, Queen’s Road and King’s Gate.

“I, like many others, am concerned that a similar situation may occur again, this time on Links Road, Constitution Street, and even along the Beach Boulevard to the roundabout at Commerce Street.”

Mr Kerr reckons that some families will end up parking at Codona’s or the Queens Links— neither of which are owned by the council — if they fail to find a space elsewhere.

He asked if any consideration had been given to using the land at the razed Beach Leisure Centre as a car park, even on a temporary basis to “ensure a smooth opening” to the project.

He finished: “Safe and accessible parking should be a priority, and I hope that appropriate measures are being considered to ensure families can enjoy the new facility safely.”

What has the council said about beach parking?

Following the letter, a council spokeswoman said officers are “continuing to consider” traffic and parking for the area.

She added that people will still be able to park along the beachfront, while additional blue badge spaces at the park have been created.

But, when The P&J asked whether the leisure centre site had been considered, the spokeswoman remained tight-lipped.

She said: “The Chief Executive will respond directly to Mr Kerr.

“Officers are continuing to consider the wider access arrangements for the area, including parking, public transport and the potential impact on surrounding streets and businesses.”

[Source: Press and Journal]