Two Edinburgh active travel projects have been successful in the final judging of the Sustrans Scotland’s Community Links PLUS (CLPLUS) competition.
The competition delivers pioneering and game-changing projects which inspire public bodies in Scotland to design better places and spaces for people to live, walk and cycle in for everyday journeys.
Projects are awarded a grant of up to 50 per cent of the total costs and each project is expected to start within the next two months.
Both Meadows to George Street and the West Edinburgh Active Travel Network are forecast to be complete by Summer 2022.
Minister for Transport Humza Yousaf said: “The panel who evaluated the bids were impressed by the local authorities’ high level of design and innovation.
“Our Active Nation initiative is designed to encourage many more of us to make everyday and leisure journeys sustainably – on foot and by bike. To achieve this vision, we are doubling our investment in active travel, from £40 to £80 million each year, demonstrating our commitment to make our towns and cities more walking and cycling friendly.”
The West Edinburgh Active Travel Network will transform the west of Edinburgh into a high quality Dutch-inspired cycle and pedestrian friendly neighbourhood.
Included in plans is the creation of an attractive, direct and convenient cycling and walking route from the Roseburn area to the major business district of Edinburgh Park. The route will connect popular locations within a cycleable distance of 1-5km.
Destinations along the route include the Edinburgh Napier University and Heriot-Watt campuses, the Gyle Shopping Centre and business park, new housing developments at East Craigs and Cammo, and existing communities Stenhouse, Broomhouse, Saughton, Sighthill and Wester Hailes.
This major overhaul will result in one of the most car-dominated parts of Edinburgh being transformed into an active travel hotspot.
The Meadows to George Street – Streets for People project proposes to create a direct cycle link between The Meadows and George Street as well as the Old and New Towns of the city centre along Hanover Street, The Mound, Bank Street, North Bank Street, George IV Bridge and Forrest Road.
It will provide a major redesign for walking and cycling in the city, creating safe, coherent and attractive routes through the city centre.
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