Aberdeen Merchant Quarter

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Project status prepare

Project Overview

We are working to address flooding in the Merchant Quarter in Aberdeen, which is caused largely by incapacity in the current sewer network – as well as other factors including its low-lying position in the city, surface water, groundwater and tidal impact. 

At a Glance

  • Underground test drilling
  • Ongoing work to alleviate local flooding issues
  • Delivered by Caledonia Water Alliance

Traffic is shown on Trinity Quay in Aberdeen

Test drilling

This work will involve a full road closure of the westbound section of Trinity Quay and Virginia Street

What are we doing?

Over recent years a number of options have been explored in detail and future work has been identified as: 

  • interventions in the Merchant Quarter area to reduce flooding from sewers.
  • interventions at York Place pumping station to make its operation more resilient, and to reduce surcharge levels in the low-level sewer, further reducing flood risk
  • surface water management in Merchant Quarter to reduce the impact of flooding in extreme events
  • sewer enhancement interventions in the Merchant Quarter area

In 2022, extensive site investigations were carried out and we received advice from specialist surveys and contractors. This work has concluded that the safest way to proceed with the project is through an ‘open-cut’ method which involves excavation of the road surface. This is particularly challenging as there are a large and complex network of other utilities – such as the electricity and gas lines – below ground.

Why are we doing it?

The Merchant Quarter has been impacted by a number of severe flood events in the past and we’re taking action to identify ways to reduce the risk of flooding to homes and business in the city caused by sewer and surface water flooding. 

Update - June 2026

We are planning to carry out underground test drilling work to establish ground conditions which will allow us for the planning of future work to alleviate flooding issues in the Merchant Quarter. 

This will require a full road closure on the westbound carriageway of Virginia Street and Trinity Quay between Commerce Street and Market Street from 7am on Tuesday 7 July. 

A diversion route will be in place via Commerce Street, East North Street, King Street, Union Street and Market Street. 

During the works there will be no access to or from Theatre Lane and Shore Lane from Virgina Street. Local access to businesses on Virginia Street will be available from James Street, exiting via Weigh House Square. Existing one-way restrictions on Regent Quay (between Marischal Street and Trinity Quay) and on Shore Road will be temporarily removed to allow for local access. There will be no access from Regent Quay on to Trinity Quay. 

We recognise the road closure will inevitably cause inconvenience and some delays so we ask people to allow extra time for journeys while this essential work is taking place and would like to thank everyone affected for their patience and understanding. 

Local businesses will remain open as usual and our operatives will do everything they can to minimise disruption.