Aberdeen evening express

The water fountain at the heart of Aberdeen’s Broad Street has been officially switched on.

With around 60 illuminated jets of water, the fountain’s designers say it is capable of limitless patterns and sequences.

The feature forms part of the £3.2 million development in the area, which includes a raised grass area, trees benches and a flexible event space – which has already been used for a number of events including Celebrate Aberdeen.

Councillor Ross Grant said: “Overwhelming feedback from the public during the City Centre Masterplan consultation was for more pedestrian-friendly areas.

“As the east end of the city centre continues with its transformation the new shared space on Broad Street, complete with enhanced public realm, is now a more functional, attractive and cleaner place for people designed to encourage people to linger longer which is also a fit for purpose event ready space to accommodate Aberdeen’s growing programme of events and festivals that take place year round.

“The Broad Street layout is the first of its kind in the city and, as a new space for the city centre, we’d ask all users of Broad Street to continue to be considerate and mindful of all other users.”

Sustrans Scotland community links manager Dave Keane said: “Creating safe and attractive spaces to walk and cycle is at the heart of our Community Links programme and we are proud to have supported the changes made to Broad Street as part of the City Centre Masterplan.

“By creating a street which prioritises people on foot and bike, Broad Street becomes a more attractive place for everyone, that will improve health and wellbeing, increase footfall for local business and bring communities together.”

Muse Developments regional director (Scotland) Steve Turner said: “The redevelopment of Broad Street is the latest phase of a remarkable transformation of this city centre location.

“The new open pedestrian-priority design complements Marischal Square which is already proving to be a vibrant and popular civic space.

“I believe this will further enhance the City Centre Masterplan ambitions to bring life back into heart of Aberdeen.”

Speaking last month, Peter Dawson, director of fountain designer OCMIS, said the city of Aberdeen was one close to the company’s heart after previous projects in the region.

He said: “The fountain in Aberdeen is really good because it’s intensive and exciting.

“We were discussing the idea back in 2014 so it’s been a long time in inception.

“It has 61 jets and each nozzle can be programmed to perform a different height or sequence so the options are limitless.

“Sometimes with fountains the public can get a bit bored when the sequence is the same, it can become part of the background, but this way the council can keep it interesting.”