Reinforced columns are being driven into the ground

The �200m Union Square development is under construction next to Aberdeen Railway Station.

It will have retail, leisure, catering, cinema and parking facilities. The project will also see improvements made to the railway station.

Piling work is now under way, which will allow the foundations to be laid. Completion is scheduled for 2009.

This phase of the project is expected to take about five weeks to complete.

Work taking place at present involves driving 400 reinforced concrete columns into the ground to a depth of 20m using specialist piling rigs.

'On track'

The superstructure of the development will then be built on top of the network of reinforced columns.

Simon Travis, assistant director of developers Hammerson, said: "This is a major piece of engineering work that will lay the foundations on which the Union Square development will be built.

"The works signal that we are on track with our build timetable.

"Given the nature of the works, we understand that it is important to complete this particular phase as quickly as possible, so as to ensure minimum disruption to those living and working near the site.

"We have a set our main contractors a tight timescale to complete the process."

Hammerson is investing more than �6m in station upgrade works, including new lifts and the upgrading of existing lifts in College Street car park, providing disabled access to all station platforms.