THE draft masterplan for Aberdeen proposes a mostly car-free city centre where public transport, bikes and pedestrians take priority.

A car-free Union Street is depicted for much of its length.

Buses and taxis would still have access to the main thoroughfare but pavements would be “wider”.

The masterplan proposes removing “private cars from some streets, creating approximately 11 acres of additional public space for pedestrians and cyclists”.

The train station could also be transformed and a “local rail service and network of stations” promoted along with park and ride.

The draft masterplan said: “An inner relief road is proposed that forms a traffic cordon connecting city centre car parks, so that non-essential traffic cannot enter the city centre.

It also proposes closing Broad Street off to traffic.

The plan said: “Private car traffic would be removed and streets redesigned to create a better environment for pedestrians and cyclists.”

The famous Mounthooly roundabout would be “converted to crossroads” to make it easier for cyclists and pedestrians to negotiate.

A new pedestrian and cycle bridge is proposed across the River Dee with a “direct high-quality crossing on North Esplanade”.

Parking charges would be “revised to discourage commuter parking”.