Work to enhance the main entrance to the University of Aberdeen's historic King's Campus will get underway this month.
It will see the current narrow gates widened at the junction to King Street to improve road safety.The redesigned main entrance will provide a more visible focal point for the campus and will create the necessary space for a separate pedestrian footpath.
The recent development of the Aberdeen Aquatic Centre on Regent Walk and Aberdeen Sports Village on Linksfield Way has increased the number of pedestrians crossing King Street to and from the campus at this point.
The development will complement work already undertaken on King Street to improve the crossings at the junction.
As part of the scheme a pedestrian crossing zone will also be created on Regent Walk and an access route will be made to link together two University car parks to facilitate the movement of vehicles within the campus and reduce traffic flows onto King Street at peak times.
Caroline Inglis, Secretary to the University of Aberdeen said: “King’s College is one of the most scenic parts of the city and the centrepiece of Old Aberdeen but the campus is largely hidden from view.
“This work will not only improve road safety in the area but will also open up the campus onto King Street creating a main entrance more in keeping with the significance of the University of Aberdeen.
“It is important that our campus is a welcoming space for all visitors and we take the safety of all those who use the area extremely seriously. This work will improve visibility for drivers and pedestrians and is an essential part of our plans for campus improvement.
“Work has been phased to maintain access to this part of the campus and to minimise disruption.”
In order to facilitate the work five trees will be removed from the edge of King’s Playing field. They will be replaced by eight new trees planted in the area around the MacRobert building with two more near the playing fields. A small section of grass outwith the formal playing pitches will also be removed but will not affect use of the fields.
Granite taken from the existing boundary walls will be reused in the new entrance, which will also be constructed from Aberdeen’s famous stone.
Enabling works will be begin on Sunday (April 10) to remove a small number of trees when the Regent car park will be closed. The phased development will get underway on Monday April 18, beginning with work to link the Regent Walk and MacRobert car parks. Pedestrian access to Regent Walk will be maintained throughout the project.