Work begins on new cycle route

CONSTRUCTION work has begun on the creation of a cycling, walking and ‘wheeling’ path connecting Roseburn, to the west of Edinburgh city centre, with near the top of Leith Walk, to the east.

The City Centre West to East Link (here) is to begin on the city’s Roseburn Terrace before snaking its way via West Coates, Haymarket Terrace, Rosebery Crescent, Melville Street, Randolph Place and St David Street, before finishing on York Place.

Says a City of Edinburgh Council media release (here): “The £19.4m CCWEL project, which includes a £13m construction contract with Balfour Beatty, will be principally funded by Transport Scotland through Sustrans’ Places for Everyone programme, with additional funding from the Scottish Government and the council’s transport budget. To minimise disruption, the programmed resurfacing of the A8 will be carried out alongside CCWEL construction, funded separately by the council.”

The pathway links into urban realm improvements (here) planned for the city centre boulevard of George Street, and there are also plans afoot (here) to improve cycling and walking infrastructure between the Meadows (to the south of the city centre) with George Street.

Pictured: Roseburn Terrance, Edinburgh, Picture credit: Place Design Scotland