BALFOUR Beatty is set to commence work in Edinburgh to transform public spaces along a route between Roseburn and the Union Canal.
It will see the creation of a £12.5 million green corridor and cycleway, as well as bringing disused areas back into community use, and creating a ‘key’ link in Edinburgh’s active travel network.
Site preparation works are set to get underway on January 30, with the City of Edinburgh Council anticipating that the project will be completed in April 2024 – with it being split into three sections of Sauchiebank Gardens, Duff Street Woodland, and Dalry Community Park.
Amongst improvements are two new bridges crossing over the Mid Calder railway line and Dalry Road leading to Dalry Community Park, community gardens at Sauchiebank, and Duff Street, as well as upgrades to the sports pitch and playpark at Dalry Community Park, designs for which were developed in consultation with Dalry Primary School pupils.
Edinburgh’s active travel network will be boosted through the delivery of a new pedestrian and cycle path connecting the north Edinburgh path network to Fountainbridge alongside new pedestrian crossings and access points.
Furthermore, a ‘comprehensive’ planting strategy will allow the active management of currently underused and largely inaccessible woodland, which the council said will help to create ‘healthier and more diverse’ woodland with longer-term opportunities to enhance its ecological value.
This will involve planting almost 5,000 woodland and semi-mature trees. Approximately 450 trees will be felled in order to deliver the project, including trees which have been identified as ash and would be removed as part of long-term maintenance planning.
Councillor Scott Arthur, transport and environment convener at the City of Edinburgh Council, said, “This project will transform the route between Roseburn and the Union Canal, where disused and inaccessible areas will become welcoming, green community spaces encouraging biodiversity and play.
“It will also plug a gap in the city’s active travel network by providing a high-quality pedestrian and cycle path between Fountainbridge and the extremely popular North Edinburgh Path Network, as well as leading to the city centre west to east link, which is currently under construction.”
