The City of Edinburgh Council has announced that a major milestone in the ‘Meadows to George Street’ project has been reached with the statutory orders needed to progress to the construction stage now advertised.
The Meadows to George Street project is regarded as an integral part of the Edinburgh City Centre Transformation plan, which aims to help reduce car kilometres travelled by 30% by 2030.
The project is also seen as central to the ‘Our Future Streets’ approach of Edinburgh’s City Mobility Plan, which was approved by council members in February.
The scheme seeks to improve cycling, walking, accessibility, and public spaces in some of Edinburgh’s busiest and most recognisable streets; from Teviot Place along Forrest Road before crossing George IV Bridge, The Mound, Hanover Street and finishing at George Street.
The City of Edinburgh Council’s transport and environment convener, Scott Arthur, said: “I’m delighted that we’ve reached this significant stage in the Meadows to George Street project.
“This is a really important part of our wider plans to transform our city centre into one that enables our residents to enjoy a safe, connected, and sustainable place to live, work and spend time in.
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“We understand the impact these projects can have on the local community, in particular businesses, and we will be working closely with them throughout to support them and ensure the benefits are maximised.
“Through schemes such as this we’re sending a clear signal as to the sort of capital city we’re aspiring to be.
“From reaching net zero by 2030, to enhancing our already excellent public transport networks and making sure our residents are at the heart of everything we do, I’m really excited to see what the future holds.”
The Meadows project will create an outdoor space with high-quality cycling and walking facilities such as segregated cycleways, wider pavements, and pedestrian priority areas.
The project will integrate with the George Street and First New Town project at Hanover Street, where it will connect to the west of the city via the City Centre West to East Link, which officially opened last month, and to the north via Leith Walk.
The City of Edinburgh Council has engaged local residents, businesses and community representatives as it moves forward with the scheme.
All financial contributions to the project by the council are being matched by the Scottish government.
Achievements and innovations in transport planning will be celebrated at the third annual CiTTi Awards, which will be held on 26 November 2024 at De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London. Nominations are open now! Please visit www.cittiawards.co.uk to learn more about this unmissable event for the UK’s transportation sector.
