Massive new road plans could be introduced to slash the use of cars in a major UK city with councillors supporting the “bold” proposals.
Our Future Streets – an action plan for Edinburgh – will be debated at the Transport and Environment Committee on Thursday, February 1, and will analyse how space is allocated on streets.
This could involve cutting vehicle traffic from key routes in the city centre of the Scottish capital in a bid to cut the use of cars.
As part of the proposals, through traffic would be removed from North and South Bridges, the Canongate and the Cowgate, as well as other suggestions including extending tram routes.
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The measures are set to be debated on February 1
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The council is also recommending the evolution of the Edinburgh City Centre Transformation (ECCT) to improve conditions for pedestrians and placemaking.
Edinburgh is aiming to reduce the number of car kilometres travelled by 30 per cent by the end of the decade.
Councillor Scott Arthur, Transport and Environment Convener, said: “We’re lucky to live in a beautiful, historic city, and Edinburgh’s rapidly increasing population is testament to that. But as our city continues to grow, so too do the challenges posed by congestion, air pollution and carbon emissions.
“We need to be bold and move faster if we are to support the people who live, work and visit here to move around the Capital sustainably and safely, while protecting Edinburgh’s unique heritage.
“By making it easier to walk, wheel, cycle and use public transport we can create better, healthier transport links, supporting net zero 2030 goals and helping to drive down car kms travelled.
“I know that many people in Edinburgh can't afford a car or are not able to drive - making it easier for these residents to move around Edinburgh is at the heart of these plans.”
One of the largest measures being taken to experiment with more ambitious aims includes closing through traffic for Cowgate later in 2024.
An artist’s impression shows a new seating area replacing the roundabout opposite the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
Councillor Arthur, who represents the Colinton/Fairmilehead ward, said the area had learnt lessons from progressive cities who were adopting “strategic approaches”, pointing out that reallocating space would bring the most benefits.
The Labour councillor also identified the city centre as a particular challenge because of the high levels of traffic and footfall.
Data from the Council’s “Actions to Deliver Edinburgh’s City Mobility Plan” consultation in 2023 found that almost two-thirds (64 per cent) of residents supported more restrictions to through-traffic.
He continued, saying: “Our proposals for the city centre build on Edinburgh City Centre Transformation to further reduce traffic whilst improving public transport, with short-term trial measures to help test the impacts on the wider city.
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An artist's impression of what the city could look like with the traffic measures in place
Edinburgh City Council
“The council has been talking about these types of changes since before I moved here in 1996.
“It is now listening to residents and businesses and will be bolder, think bigger and act faster.”