An estimated 300,000 pieces of gum will be blasted from the streets of Aberdeen during another city centre deep clean.
Specialists are set to swing into action next week and will spend a fortnight power-washing pavements, walls, planters, signs and street furniture.
The Aberdeen City Council blitz is starting in the Merchant Quarter in the Green and will include the length of Union Street. In all, gum and grime will be removed from more than 300,000 square feet of pavement.
This will be the fifth deep clean by contractors since an enhanced maintenance regime was introduced in autumn 2016 under the City Centre Masterplan, a 25-year regeneration blueprint containing 50 projects.
The Council’s own “hit squad” have also been working to ensure the city centre is at its best by tackling litter and repairing street furniture. And another round of painting posts, railings and benches will take place this summer.
Councillor Marie Boulton, the lead on the Masterplan, said: “In addition to deep cleans, the project has included the creation of our own dedicated team to keep Union Street and the surrounding area in top condition.
“Their work to date has made a noticeable difference and is continuing under the City Centre Masterplan.
“As part of a separate focus, the Council and Historic Environment Scotland are together delivering the Union Street Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme by offering grants to repair and renovate historic buildings.”
Operation Union Street Rejuvenation is being supported by Aberdeen Inspired, the Business Improvement District operator.
Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, said: “Many of our businesses report a much cleaner city centre and of course we all have a responsibility to keep it that way, respecting the City Council has rightly invested a great deal of time and effort in leading on this.
“It is a fundamental that our city centre is clean and safe and in relative terms we have made significant progress of late.”
