city council – Page 118 – The NEN

First Minister announces cautious easing of Level 4 restrictions

More people will be able to socialise outdoors following good progress in suppressing Coronavirus (COVID-19), the First Minister has announced.

Up to four adults from two households will be able to meet locally in any outdoor space, including in private gardens, for social and recreational purposes as well as exercise from Friday 12 March. People should only go indoors if it is essential in order to reach a back garden, or to go to the toilet.

Outdoor non-contact sports and group exercise will also resume for adults in groups of up to to 15 people from this date.

Young people aged 12 to 17 will be able to meet outdoors in groups of up to four people from four different households, participate in outdoor non-contact sports, and other organised activities in groups of up to 15 and travel across local authority boundaries to participate in such activities.

Should progress suppressing the virus continue, the Scottish Government intends to reopen places of worship with attendance limits increased from 20 to 50 where there is space for social distancing on Friday 26 March.

A final decision will be taken on Tuesday 23 March ahead of Passover, Easter, Ramadan and Vaisakhi.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “In recent weeks, we have seen a significant fall in new cases, deaths and hospital admissions, and the vaccination programme is progressing beyond our initial expectations. All of this is excellent news, and provides strong grounds for hope, but that hope must also be balanced by caution.

“The changes announced today, while modest, are important, and are designed to help people’s health and well-being by enabling group exercise and allowing more social interaction. They will also let children see more of their friends, and exercise and play more normally.

“With continued progress, we believe the reopening of places of worship can be achieved relatively safely, and will hopefully enable more people to draw strength, comfort and inspiration from acts of collective worship.

“I expect that further, more substantial changes will be possible in the weeks ahead, and I will set out as much detail as I can about that in Parliament next week. If the data allows us to relax more restrictions more quickly than we have previously indicated, we will not hesitate to do so.

“We all have a part to play in keeping case numbers down while the vaccinators do their work, children get back to school and we all take tentative but firm steps back to life as we once knew it, so please continue to stay within the rules and follow the FACTS advice.”

The easing has been welcomed by council leaders. Council Leader Adam McVey said: “This latest announcement is a clear sign that positive progress is being made in the fight against Covid.

“More people will be able to mix outdoors from Friday including young people meeting their friends, outdoor non-contact sport and organised group exercise, which will be allowed for 15 people, and up to 50 will be allowed to take part in communal worship.

“The First Minister announced that further easing of restrictions to help Scotland’s economy sector will be made public next week. It’s essential that our businesses are able to safely open again to resume a more normal version of trading and we very much hope that circumstances allow that to happen. We will of course make sure that we continue to support our local traders, as we have done since the start of this pandemic.

“It is critical that we all continue to follow the national guidance to keep our communities safe. There’s no doubt that by sticking to the rules we have all played our part in driving down infections with the numbers for Edinburgh at one of the lowest levels since Spring last year.

“We can’t afford to let our guard slip and start ignoring all the precautions we’ve been following so carefully in the past few months. It’s important to continue observing the restrictions that are still in place and all work together to follow this path out of lockdown safely.

Depute Leader Cammy Day said: “Today’s update for the latest lifting of restrictions is another positive step forward as we look to move out of lockdown towards some semblance of normality.

“Increasing the number of people who can meet up outdoors allows us to spend more time with loved ones and friends. It’s really good news that groups of four young people from different households will be able to meet as their wellbeing is so important. All our primary school pupils will be back next week and our high schools are preparing to welcome back pupils for face-to-face teaching as well.

“It’s essential that we observe this gradual, phased approach if we are to protect people’s health and safety while working towards the city’s successful recovery from the pandemic. We all want to keep the virus under control and everyone safe. The successful roll out of the vaccine programme and the fall in positive cases in Edinburgh is really welcome. However, right now our advice remains the same – stay at home and help to protect lives.”

The First Minister also announced a national silence on 23 March to mark the first anniversary of lockdown to remember all those who have lost their lives during the pandemic.

Further plans for easing restrictions on the economy and tourism industry will be announced next week.

Letters: Racism in Schools

As the Chair of Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equality Council, I want to make it very clear that we do not agree with the article in the Edinburgh Evening News which states that the Council found that, “there is no culture of racism in the city schools”.

We get many complaints from parents telling us about incidents in schools all the time and reports of racism has increased since the Black Lives Movement. This is not just the case in schools but many other institutions.

There has been a culture of racism in many schools both public and private for a long time.

We promoted and assisted with some work dealing with racism in schools, however some schools have dealt with it better than others by acknowledging that there is a problem and then making sure something is done about it quickly.

We have always said that no child should be facing or dealing with racism and educational institutions should be protecting our young people and Councils should be doing more to alleviate racism in schools and this starts with the curriculum and with external help.

Racism will not disappear until we all work together, from government level to schools. However, some schools need to acknowledge there is a problem, and seek help. If this truth is not accepted, racism will continue to damage our children. This is totally unacceptable.

Foysol Choudhury MBE

Chair, Edinburgh & Lothians Regional Equality Council

14 Forth Street, Edinburgh EH1 3LH

(T) 0131 556 0441

(E) foysolchoudhury@aol.com

(W) www.elrec.org.uk

Spaces for People consultation: Don’t forget to have your say

The city Council is considering whether to keep in place some of the temporary ‘Spaces for People’ measures that are helping people to physically distance and travel safely during the Covid-19 pandemic.

This is because many of the temporary measures are likely to help us achieve the Council’s long-term objectives to improve how we travel, making it easier for people to get about and to help us meet our net carbon-free targets.

These plans include:

encouraging people to switch to more sustainable ways to travel
making it more pleasant, easier and safer for people to explore their local area
supporting high street and city centre businesses by providing more space for people
improving road safety
improving health
reducing carbon dioxide emissions, to help the city achieve its net zero carbon by 2030.

The council says trialling schemes for a longer period – or making them permanent – will allow them to ‘change the way people and communities interact and connect across our city’.

Once we have decided whether to keep any measures on a trial or permanent basis, we will of course follow the normal legal processes for Experimental Traffic Regulation Orders (ETRO) or Traffic Regulation Orders (TRO).

This will include an opportunity for residents, businesses and stakeholders to comment and formally object.

Give us your views

Tell us how you’ve used the temporary measures and how you think we should move forward

Tell us what you think

Whether an existing temporary scheme is on your street, your family’s street(s), your local high street or somewhere you visit or pass through on your journeys, we would like to know what you think.

After hearing people’s views and assessing the temporary measures that are in place, we’ll make recommendations to councillors on whether to keep them either on a trial basis for a longer period or perhaps more permanently.

Women from Edinburgh’s present celebrate those from its past to mark International Women’s Day

Marking International Women’s Day 2021 curators from Museums & Galleries Edinburgh have taken the opportunity to shine a spotlight on a selection of fascinating women from Edinburgh’s past.

Running from 8th – 12th March the series profiles five pioneering women whose lives are reflected in the city’s history collections.

They include; Ella Morrison Millar (1869-1959) (above) Edinburgh’s first female Town Councillor chosen by chosen by History Curator, Victoria Garrington, Nannie (Agnes Henderson) Brown (1866 -1943), a prominent Edinburgh-born suffragist chosen by History Curator, Anna MacQuarrie; Lileen Hardy (1872-1947) who opened the St. Saviour’s Child Garden in 1906 in the Canongate chosen by Museum of Childhood Curator, Lyn Stevens; Helen Monro Turner (1901-1977) who founded the studio glass department at Edinburgh College of Art chosen by Applied Art Curator, Helen Edwards; and Ena Thomson (1907-1989) who served as an Air Raid Warden in Edinburgh’s Air Raid Precaution corps, or ARP during WWII chosen by Collections Care Officer, Gwen Thomas.

The story of each woman is explored and showcased using linked objects from the collection which include: a studio portrait of Nannie Brown, a pair of Ella Morrison Miller’s gold leather purchased from Edinburgh’s well-known department store Darlings in the 1930’s and WWII ARP identification papers for Ena Thomson.

These objects and many others have been unearthed as part of the ongoing Auld Reekie Retold inventory project which is working to connect Edinburgh’s people to its collections.

From the 8th March, the curators will reveal full details of each woman’s story alongside the items from the collection which connects their own unique history, providing compelling insight into our city’s history from just a few of the women who helped shape the Edinburgh we know today.

The series – which is introduced by Councillor Amy McNeese-Mechan, Vice Convenor of Culture & Communities – will be shared online via the Museums & Galleries Edinburgh social media channels and website between 8th-12th March.

The series is accompanied by a fascinating programme of free digital lectures and family events including:

Scots Women who Chose to Challenge with Jackie Sangster. a Learning Manager at Historic Environment Scotland,

Aunts: In Fact & Fiction with Ruthanne Baxter, Museums Manager and Prescribe Culture Lead at the University of Edinburgh,

An (Almost) A to Z of Modern Scottish Women Artists with Alice Strang, Senior Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art at the National Galleries of Scotland.

Look Outside, a family craft event inspired by the work of artist Kate Downie. and

Votes for Women – The Keystone to Liberty, a digital performance from Edinburgh Living History.

For full details and bookings visit – www.edinburghmuseums.org.uk/whats-on

Commenting on the series, Councillor McNeese-Mechan said: “It is fascinating to learn about how our collections both preserve and mirror the work of women in Edinburgh’s civic and cultural life.

“This series shines a light on five women who made significant contributions to our city’s history but who sadly are far from well known.

“I hope the stories of these wonderful women will inspire you and I look forward to more discoveries from the Auld Reekie Retold project.”

Helen Edwards, Applied Art Curator with Museums & Galleries Edinburgh, said: “Working on the Auld Reekie Retold project has given us the opportunity to research some of the hidden histories behind our collections.

“It’s been fascinating looking into some of the stories of the pioneering women from Edinburgh, and International Women’s day is a real chance to get their stories out to a wider audience and let their voices be heard.”

Full steam ahead! £4.75 million for Granton Station transformation

The Edwardian B-listed former Granton Station, set in the heart of the city’s planned new sustainable Granton Waterfront district, is to be restored by the Council at a cost of up to £4.75m.

The council’s Finance and Resources Committee yesterday appointed Kier Construction Ltd to carry out the work.

The project will be part-funded through Scottish Government regeneration capital grant funding and town centre funding. The latter was previously agreed by the Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Committee in June 2019 and by Council in November 2020.

Work will commence to bring the historic former Granton Station building back into use by early 2022 as a high-quality creative workspace and the derelict land in front of the building will once again be used as a public square for community events and recreation to be enjoyed by residents and visitors to the area.

The station site is part of Granton Waterfront, a key sustainable £1.3bn regeneration project for Scotland, which will make a significant contribution to Edinburgh’s target to become a net zero carbon city by 2030.

Work has already begun to provide around 450 homes for sale and affordable rent at Western Villages and at the end of last year construction firm Hart Builders was also appointed to begin work to design around 150 brand new affordable homes at the former Silverlea care home site in the area.

Cllr Rob Munn, Convener of the Finance and Resources Committee, said: “Granton Station is an important link to the rich industrial heritage of the area, and I look forward to seeing it back in use once again.

“As it did in Edwardian times, the building will serve the local community but now as a vibrant and modern business hub with open public space outside for everyone to enjoy.

“The project will provide jobs while being constructed and long after completion, as a new enterprise hub generating local employment opportunities for the area and our citizens throughout Edinburgh.”

Cllr Cammy Day, Depute Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “Regenerating Granton Waterfront is no longer just a vision. Spades will soon go in the ground to turn this historic building into a gateway for one of Scotland’s newest sustainable districts for people to enjoy for decades to come.

“With work progressing well on two affordable housing sites and plans underway to illuminate the former gas holder in the area with Edinburgh College, we’re making great progress to build a sustainable new district where people will be proud to live, work and visit.

“And we’re speaking to the local community to make sure the new district enhances and blends well into what is already a well-established area surrounding the site.”

Solar panels installed on City of Edinburgh Council HQ

A rooftop installation of solar panels has commenced on Waverley Court, the City of Edinburgh Council headquarters.

Waverley Court is the sixth public building to be fitted with community-owned solar panels as part of the second phase of one of the largest community-owned renewable energy projects in the UK.

Delivered by Edinburgh Community Solar Co-operative (ECSC) in partnership with The City of Edinburgh Council, the first public share offer in 2015 enabled the project to install solar PV panels on 24 council and Edinburgh Leisure buildings across the city.

Last year the amount of renewable energy generated from the scheme was 866,405.78 kWh; enough to power 282 homes for a year1. Following a successful second public share offer in September 2020, a further six installations have now been added to the portfolio with Waverley Court being the largest.

The 160.46 kW installation on Waverley Court is anticipated to generate approximately 128,005 kWh per year; enough to power 41 homes for a year1. The project is due to be completed by 5th March 2021.

Surplus profits made by the project will be reinvested locally through a Community Benefit Fund.

Council Leader, Councillor Adam McVey, said: “We’re really pleased to be working in partnership with the Solar Co-operative on the installation and running of solar panels on council buildings.

“This is funded by community share offers and is a fantastic way we’ve been able to connect with residents who want to help tackle climate change.

“As well as supplying clean electricity to the council buildings the panels have helped reduce the council’s carbon emissions, supporting our target of net zero emissions by 2030.

“Additionally, the panels generate revenue which is put to good use through the community benefit fund by supporting new sustainable energy projects across the city.”

Lesley Hinds, Chair of ECSC added “Edinburgh Community Solar Co-operative are delighted to once again work in partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council to have achieved Solar Panel installations on 30 buildings in Edinburgh.

“The support from the Edinburgh community and beyond by investing in our Share Offer, shows their commitment to reduce the carbon footprint in Edinburgh. Waverley Court is the first building to be installed in the City Centre and will be a visible beacon for renewable energy in Edinburgh.”

ECSC have the possibility of adding more buildings to their portfolio later in the year which could result in a further share offer.

ECSC is supported and assisted by Energy4All Limited, the leading social enterprise in the UK for delivering community owned renewable energy schemes.

Energy4All projects have raised over £82 million to build and operate community renewable energy generation all over the UK.

For more information please visit www.energy4all.co.uk

Revised schedule for City Plan

A report outlining a revised timetable for the City of Edinburgh Council’s City Plan 2030 will be now be considered by councillors on Wednesday, 10 March.

The report, which will be made public on Thursday (4 March), will say that the proposed plan will now be considered by councillors in the summer with the preference being for a committee in August.

The proposed plan was due to be considered by the Planning Committee this month but Scottish Environment Protection Agency was subject to a significant cyber attack just before Christmas which is still affecting its services.

This is having an impact on work on the Strategic Flood Risk Assessment required for the proposed plan as well as many other matters.

The proposed plan was originally due to be considered by councillors in December but disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic has led to some technical reports not being fully completed.

Cllr Neil Gardiner, Planning Convener, said: “The proposed plan will be ambitious and will help us build a more sustainable future as the Capital grows in the coming years. When complete, the proposed plan needs to be robust and not open to challenge on the credibility of the flood risk evidence, which is why we need to postpone its completion.

“I have every sympathy with SEPA and the challenges they are experiencing as a result of this incident and appreciate they are rightly focusing at the moment on immediate risks of flooding or significant breaches of the other regulatory responsibilities they have.”

Funding boost for Corstorphine Cougars

The City of Edinburgh Council and Corstorphine Cougars RFC is celebrating a £50,000.00 funding boost from SUEZ Communities Trust and the FCC Communities Foundation for a rugby pitch drainage project at Union Park.

Corstorphine Cougars Rugby Club lease two rugby pitches from the City of Edinburgh Council at Union Park in Carrick Knowe.

One of the pitches is floodlit to facilitate evening training sessions. The growth in playing numbers in recent years has meant that the pitch is regularly in demand 7 days a week.

The club’s success, notably in recruiting primary and secondary schoolchildren (girls and boys) and senior women players, has been undermined by poor drainage effectively making it unusable for long periods during the winter months.

This funding will enable the installation of an environmentally sustainable drainage solution (SuDS) at the park. The project is planned to be completed in late March by Groundwater Dynamics using their patented EGRP technology.

Councillor Amy McNeese-Mechan, Culture and Communities Vice Convener welcomed the news: “As a Council we are committed to promoting and supporting access to sport and physical wellbeing and this is a fantastic result for Union Park.

“I look forward to seeing work get underway to install the environmentally sustainable draining solution and seeing the pitches being enjoyed all year round.

“We will continue to work with sports clubs across the capital to look at how we can best manage facilities.”

Stewart Pilkington, Corstorphine Cougars RFC President, said: “We’ve been very successful in growing the club in the last few years.

“This project will be a game changer in improving the club’s training and playing facilities as we push forward with our development plans and continue to encourage participation in rugby in the west of Edinburgh. We are very grateful to each of the funders for their valuable contributions.”

SUEZ Communities Trust and FCC Communities Foundation each contributed £25,000 through the Scottish Landfill Communities Fund to the £65,000 project.

Funding from the City of Edinburgh Council’s North West Locality Community Grants Fund, the Scottish Rugby Union, Friends of Scottish Rugby and the rugby club itself made up the balance.

Green light for Bonnington Build-to-Rent scheme

PLATFORM_’s planning application for a Build-to-Rent (BTR) scheme at Bonnington Road Lane was ‘minded to grant with conditions’ by the City of Edinburgh Council Development Management Sub-Committee yesterday.

PLATFORM_ intends to build 453 BTR units, including 25% affordable housing. BTR is an innovative housing solution where homes are built, rented, and managed over the longer term. They are not for sale.

The site extends from the former Bonnington Resource Centre at the southern edge and over the recently demolished John Lewis depot to the north.

The development is a mixture of one, two and three-bedroom apartments, duplexes, and studios, and will benefit from on-site concierge and maintenance staff. The proposals also include communal amenity spaces such as a residents’ lounge, roof terraces, a Bike Café and Workshop and gym.

To help create a vibrant atmosphere, the proposals also include retail and employment space at ground level which will be available to residents, start-up companies, and other workers.

Additionally, the development will create a public pocket park, a new pedestrian priority public street connecting Bonnington Road Lane and Anderson Place, and will replant 80 additional trees across the site.

PLATFORM_ has undertaken an extensive community and stakeholder engagement programme.

A community consultation was held in December 2019 and readvertised again in December 2020 to demonstrate improvements made since the original May 2020 submission.

Proposals were recommended for approval ahead of yesterday’s meeting after thorough discussions and collaboration with city planners.

Turley provided planning support and architectural design was produced by jmarchitects. Hirst were the landscape architects and Harley Haddow the project engineers.

A spokesperson for PLATFORM_ said: “We are very pleased to have received approval for our high-quality Build-to-Rent scheme at Bonnington Road Lane.

“The development will offer residents flexibility on a wide range of housing needs. The project will support the delivery of regeneration within the local area.

“Our key aim is to create quality, sustainable, and responsibly managed properties and we are looking forward to delivering this for Edinburgh.

“We will continue to update the community as the project develops and look forward to working with our partners across Edinburgh to deliver this exciting development.”

George Street ‘transformation’ plans unveiled

View along whole of George Street with new design

The final proposed concept design for the transformation of George Street has been unveiled.

Detailed artist’s impressions and a 3D fly-through illustrate how the street and surrounding area within the UNESCO World Heritage Site could look under the George Street and First New Town Public Realm Improvements Project.

Significantly widened pavements, landscaped spaces for play and relaxation and a cycling thoroughfare, where motor traffic is largely removed, will create a people-friendly setting. By retaining symmetry and removing street clutter alongside ‘urban greening’ through shrubs and hedging, the designs both protect the area’s heritage and enhance the environment.

Improvements are being delivered as part of a coordinated package of projects under Edinburgh City Centre Transformation.

This includes the forthcoming Meadows to George Street and City Centre West to East Link schemes, which will transform walking, wheeling and cycling routes and connections across the city centre. These schemes also support the City Mobility Plan, a ten-year strategy to overhaul transport and mobility in the Capital to deliver a sustainable, net zero carbon and inclusive future.

The concept design for George Street, which has been progressed by a design team led by Tetratech with LDA Landscape Design, follows several years of development and engagement to refine design objectives with the public and stakeholders, including community councils and heritage, business, walking, cycling and accessibility groups.

During February and March, further engagement will take place with key groups, while the public will be able to see the design for themselves and tell us how they might enjoy a revitalised George Street.

Feedback gathered in February and March will inform a final iteration of the design proposal before being brought to Transport and Environment Committee in April. The required statutory processes under which the scheme will be constructed would begin this summer.

https://youtu.be/YaWvPP4QFTQ

Transport and Environment Convener Councillor Lesley Macinnes said: “These animated concept designs offer an exciting glimpse into what George Street and the surrounding area could look like in 2025 – a welcoming, relaxing and unique space, where people will want to spend time, to visit local shops, cafes and restaurants and to travel to and through the city centre.

“This vision has been years in the making and follows significant engagement with the public and a range of groups representing different interests. It’s essential that its design works for everyone, which is why we’ve spent time ensuring it meets people’s access needs, that it allows residents to go about their daily lives and that it will encourage local businesses to flourish, particularly as we look to make a strong, green recovery from the COVID crisis.”

Transport and Environment Vice Convener Councillor Karen Doran said: “I was thrilled to see the concept designs for this project brought to life and look forward to hearing the responses of all those who watch our video or see the beautiful, detailed illustrations.

“This initiative offers the opportunity to transform one of Edinburgh’s iconic streets for the better, creating an accessible, inviting space, where both the historic environment is protected and biodiversity promoted, and where people can relax and spend time on foot, bike or wheelchair.”

The Transport and Environment Committee first agreed to increase pedestrian space in the city centre in 2013 and in 2014 and 2015 a new layout was trialled on George Street, with stakeholder engagement and a subsequent series of user surveys demonstrating a strong appetite for change.

Since then, a vision and design principles have been developed and the project was widened to include the interconnecting Castle, Frederick and Hanover Streets and the junctions with Charlotte and St Andrew Squares. Further, significant engagement with the public and stakeholders has led to the designs published today.

Key considerations for the project have been putting people first, protecting the area’s heritage, promoting the environment and biodiversity and providing accessible transport links.

Elements of the concept design relating to each include –

Putting people first:

Increased pedestrian space; adaptable, landscaped areas with seating, space for play and opportunities for events; space for outdoor seating for cafes and restaurants; better lighting to animate the streets after dark; level access crossings at street junctions for unimpeded crossing; disabled parking bays on George Street and interconnected streets

Protecting heritage:

Retaining symmetry on George Street; removing unnecessary street clutter; removing parking to reduce the dominance of motor traffic; upgrading pavements with high quality materials

Enhancing the environment:

Suitably scaled soft landscaping including shrubs and hedging, reducing the impact of heavy rain and floods; permeably paved areas to allow drainage

Improved walking, cycling and wheeling connections;

Largely car-free; cycling is prioritised in George Street and directly connects with the Meadows to George Street and CCWEL cycle route schemes at Hanover Street, St Andrew Square and Charlotte Square; improved pedestrian crossings at junctions; loading retained for businesses

The George Street and First New Town Public Realm Project responds to and supports various Council initiatives, such as Edinburgh City Centre Transformation, the City Mobility Plan and the Active Travel Action Plan, as well as projects like Trams to Newhaven and Low Emission Zones.

If approved, it is intended to begin construction work on the scheme in 2023, with an anticipated completion in 2025. It is expected to cost £32m, with £20m from Transport Scotland via Sustrans.

Simon Strain, Interim Head of Infrastructure Delivery for Sustrans Scotland said: “George Street is one of the most vibrant and distinctive shopping streets in Scotland, thanks to the insightful planning of James Craig.

“We are pleased to be supporting the increased space for walking, wheeling and cycling that this project will create, upgrading one of the city’s key travel routes. The new spaces for sitting and relaxing provide both visitors and residents with comfortable spaces where they can rest and enjoy the World Heritage Site.”

Richard Grant, from Spokes, said: “George Street forms a crucial section of the Council’s flagship west-east ‘CCWEL’ cycleroute project, as well as being a major destination in its own right.

“The new George Street plans, taking lessons from European “cycle streets,” provide a wide central “cycling zone” shared with blue badge and (at restricted times) delivery vehicles treated as ‘guests.’ This replaces the previously planned segregated bidirectional cycleroute.

“This will be an innovative scheme for Scotland, which could be widely followed, and as such the Council must get it right. Given the funding from Sustrans, safe and pleasant conditions for cycling and walking are critical.

“Spokes welcomes the scheme subject to strict enforcement of the limited number and timings of permitted vehicles, as well as design details. We particularly welcome the assurance of enforcement, by automated means such as number plate recognition or in other ways, which is essential to success.”

Edinburgh Access Panel

“EAP is aware that George Street currently presents many obstacles for people with disabilities. We are delighted to be involved in a scheme which will remove so many barriers that prevent a significant proportion of the population, both residents and visitors from being able to participate fully in the many facilities that are available in this attractive central city location.”

Living Streets Edinburgh

“Edinburgh – perhaps uniquely for a European city of its size and history – lacks any significant space in the city centre where pedestrians really come first. George Street has been dominated by traffic and parking for too long and is the obvious place to put this right in the heart of the New Town. These proposals offer the prospect of George Street becoming a place where it is finally a pleasure to walk in and linger.”

George Street Association

“There is no doubt that the current pre-occupation of George Street Association members is how to recover when the prolonged coronavirus restrictions are lifted. However, we have a mutual interest with the City Council and others involved in this ambitious project to deliver the high-quality changes needed for the future success of this iconic street.

“This overdue transformation to the appearance and operation of George Street will impact on our members and affected businesses in the area will need support throughout the inevitable disruption involved.

“We appreciate the opportunity for ongoing engagement with the City Council on the final concept design and thereafter.”

Essential Edinburgh

“Essential Edinburgh welcome the proposed concept designs for George Street which are the result of extensive consultation. It is vital the design works for all its users whether they be retail and hospitality businesses, residents, office workers and people undertaking active travel.

“The design takes this into account including issues related to servicing and accessibility and we look forward to continuing to work with the Council and other stakeholders to support delivery of a plan that works for all.”

Edinburgh World Heritage

‘Edinburgh World Heritage is highly supportive of the design for the public realm improvements in George Street as currently proposed. Over time, the proposal has evolved into a simple and elegant design, removing traffic and street clutter, with the potential to enhance the character and authenticity of this significant centrepiece of the First New Town in relation to its existing state.

“New elements have been carefully introduced and will echo the symmetry and materials of the historic streetscape. Based on the current visuals, we believe these changes will improve the way the street is experienced and valued by putting pedestrians first and allowing them to enjoy the rich heritage which surrounds them. We would like to thank the City of Edinburgh Council for taking our views on board at critical stages during the design process.’

Find out more about the George Street and First New Town Public Realm Improvements Project and watch the 3D fly-through, developed by Luma3D, on the Council website.