The former garage and associated properties at 78A and 86-90 are to be taken down as part of the Aberdeen City Council scheme, which will work with other major roads projects to help alleviate traffic congestion around the city.

David Smith Contractors Ltd, which was awarded the contract to carry out the demolition work last month, took over the site on Monday. The firm will remove and dispose of asbestos containing materials and asbestos contamination. It will also demolish the existing building’s superstructure and sub-structure including lower ground floor storey, floor slabs, foundations, basements, associated stone and concrete retaining walls, underground fuel tanks, inspection pits, and external retaining walls.

The work will further involve site clearance and preparation including removal of existing external vehicle ramp, access roads and site hard landscaping of either concrete or tarmac, all necessary site excavations, the supply and erection of a new security fence and new timber knee rail fence, and supply and installation of a new kerb at rear of pavement.

Aberdeen City Council transport and regeneration spokesman, Councillor Ross Grant, said: “I’m sure residents will be looking forward to these eyesore buildings being demolished, especially as part of improving our roads network to make getting around the city easier for our residents and visitors

“The £26.4m Berryden Corridor Improvement Scheme will benefit motorists, cyclists and pedestrians and will be a major upgrade to the roads network in the area and for the whole of the city.

“The Berryden Corridor will also further support wider network policies such as the City Centre Masterplan, and will also help with the delivery of other infrastructure routes.”

The Berryden Corridor Improvement Scheme is an important part of the city’s roads network as without further improvement, there is a risk of increased congestion in the immediate area and the surrounding network.

It is one of several major infrastructure projects worth a total of £560m which are leading one of the biggest transformations the city has had – these include the third Don crossing, the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR/B-T), and the A96 Dyce Park and Choose and Link Road.

The works to the buildings are due to be completed in spring, weather and site depending.