Groundbreaking work for a new cross-city walking and cycling route connecting the East and West of Edinburgh has officially got underway ahead of the £19 million project starting in earnest this year.
The City Centre West to East Cycle Link and Street Improvements Project (CCWEL), will connect Leith Walk and Roseburn with a direct active travel corridor when work finishes in 2023 at around the same time as the Trams to Newhaven extension.
The route, which will take around 18 months to complete, will link up with the newly pedestrianised George Street when the major city centre thoroughfare becomes a ‘European-style boulevard’ by 2030.
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Lane closures and changes to parking and bus stops during the first phase, between Roseburn and West Coates, are set to be put in place during construction.
City of Edinburgh Council transport and environment convener Lesley Macinnes and minister for zero carbon buildings, active travel and tenants' rights, Patrick Harvie, officially opened the £19.4m development, funded by the Scottish Government via Sustrans, on Tuesday, February 8.
Cllr Macinnes said: "The CCWEL project is just one of a range of bold initiatives to transform the way we travel around Edinburgh.
"We are committed to becoming a net zero city by 2030 and a key element of this is encouraging and supporting clean and sustainable modes of transport through projects like this."
Further two-way cycle lanes connecting George Street with Picardy Place via St David Street, Queen Street and York Place will also be introduced in later sections.
Council chiefs have also promised “significant” improvements to public spaces along the length of the network, with additional pedestrian crossings, trees and upgraded pavements.
The route will connect with the newly pedestrianised George Street via Hanover Street when that redevelopment is completed in 2025.
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Planned resurfacing of the A8 will be carried out alongside the CCWEL construction, funded separately by the Council.
The initial phase will see footpath works on Kew Terrace take place between February 7 and April 1 before further works get underway on the junction with Wester Coates Terrace on March 28.
Mr Harvie said: "I’m pleased to see Scottish Government funding enable the construction of the City Centre West to East Link.
"It’s a vital connection which will help people to walk, wheel and cycle in Edinburgh as the natural choice, leading to better health, less congestion and a better environment."
