The City of Edinburgh Council has appointed Balfour Beatty as construction contractor for its West to East cycle link, with work expected to begin in January.
The £13m City Centre West to East Cycle Link and Street Improvements Project (CCWEL) will connect Roseburn to Leith Walk with a safe and direct cycle route. The council added the link will enhance streets for those walking, wheeling and spending time there.
Councillor Rob Munn, finance and resources convener, said: “It has taken a number of years to get to this stage, so we’re delighted that we’re now on the cusp of delivering the CCWEL route. This is a milestone project for Edinburgh, providing a segregated cycleway connecting key parts of our existing network to and through the city centre, with significant improvements to the streetscape along the way.
“As our neighbours Glasgow prepare to host the COP26 summit the need to support clean, carbon neutral transport is more relevant than ever, and this scheme will provide a safe, accessible walking, cycling and wheeling link between the east and west of the city. Not only will this help us to limit our impact on the environment, but it will give people the opportunity to experience the associated benefits to health, wellbeing and our purses.”
Preliminary designs for CCWEL were approved in December 2016, following engagement with the public, and have since been subject to the relevant statutory orders.
The route, which is split into three sections, will include two-way segregated cycleways from Roseburn to Haymarket connecting to one-way segregated cycleways on each side of Melville Street. Two-way cycleways connecting George Street with Picardy Place via St David Street, Queen Street and York Place will also be introduced.
Improvements to public spaces along the route are also planned, as well as new pedestrian crossings and enhanced pavements. The work is expected to take 18-months and will be funded by Sustrans, the Scottish government and councils transport budget.
