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Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
National
Sian Traynor

Edinburgh Meadows to George Street route will have narrow roads and cycle paths

The final plans on how Edinburgh's city centre will be modified will be filed later this year after multiple consultations.

The council's proposals will see the route between the Meadows and George Street completely overhauled to allow for more walking and cycling space.

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A number of the city's most iconic streets will be affected, with the new changes running from Teviot Place, along Forrest Road and George IV Bridge, down the Mound and over to Hanover Street.

A new artists impression has given an inside look into what the plans might look like, with the road on George IV Bridge narrowed to one lane to allow for a new separate cycle path and widened pavements.

The segregated cycle routes will play a main role in the new proposals, which are hoped to begin in 2024, which is also when plans are set to pedestrianise George Street.

According to the council, a consultation over the Meadows to George Street in 2019 has now seen some ammendments made in the plans.

Amongst these, the two-way cycle track at Hanover Street is changing to one-way cycle lanes on either side of the road to better tie in with the proposed George Street junction.

A bus gate is also being introduced on Market Street to reduce through-traffic in the area, while footways along the route have been widened further and a new safe cycle crossing over Princes Street tram tracks has been added.

Speaking about the major redevelopment plans, Councillor Lesley Macinnes, Transport and Environment Convener, said:

"The transformation of Edinburgh’s city centre will lead to a truly connected, people-friendly place to live, work and spend time in.

"The Meadows to George Street project is one of the first steps to achieving this, as well as supporting our net zero goals by promoting sustainable travel, so it’s really exciting to see the final designs.

"We’ve worked hard over recent years to develop proposals which balance the needs of all those who use the street while prioritising safe and accessible travel by foot, wheel or bike. These plans provide a snapshot of how the route will look and operate in the near future, as part of our broader ambitions for the city."

Simon Strain, Head of Programme, Places for Everyone, at Sustrans said: "Sustrans have been working closely with The City of Edinburgh Council over the last few years to ensure designs for the MGS project meet the wants and needs of the people of Edinburgh. It’s great to see the final designs for the MGS project now shared.

"Once complete, the MGS project will make walking, wheeling, and cycling across Edinburgh city centre a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone, connecting the Old Town to the New Town like never before."

Find out more about the Meadows to George Street project and view the final designs online.

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