A new active travel route has officially been opened in Edinburgh as part of the £1.3 billion regeneration of Granton Waterfront.
The 860m route includes a segregated cycle track, new and improved footways and crossing points, and resting points. Trees have been planted to improve bio-diversity, while the section which joins Forthquarter Park has been significantly improved, making this green public space more accessible.
The design of the route has been planned to link in with another major walking, wheeling and cycling project, north Edinburgh active travel (NEAT) Connections, which seeks to deliver improvements at Pennywell Road Roundabout and connecting routes.
Further improvements to West Shore Road, east of Gypsy Brea, will be delivered as part of future phases of Granton Waterfront regeneration. The route has also been designed to make sure it allows for bus routes to be extended in the future, where necessary, to accommodate housing and population growth in the area.
Councillor Stephen Jenkinson, transport and environment convener at the City of Edinburgh Council, said, “It’s important that our £1.3 billion regeneration of Granton Waterfront is designed to make it easy for local people to get around and visitors to access the area. Making sure this new section joins up with future active travel routes is essential in ensuring pedestrian and cyclist priority where we can. This allows people to choose clean, sustainable modes of transport while supporting our net zero 2030 goals, improving air quality and reducing congestion.”
The project was made possible through over £1 million funding from the Scottish Government, via the Places for Everyone programme managed by Walk Wheel Cycle Trust (formerly Sustrans).
Scottish Government cabinet secretary for transport, Fiona Hyslop, added, “I’m pleased that over £1 million from the Scottish Government’s Places for Everyone programme has helped deliver this new active travel route in North Edinburgh. This link between Pennywell Roundabout and Gypsy Brae Promenade will make walking, wheeling and cycling safer and more attractive for local people, while supporting the regeneration of Granton Waterfront.
“By creating high-quality, accessible routes that connect communities and green spaces, we’re giving people more choices to travel sustainably. This project is a great example of how investment in active travel can improve health, reduce emissions and enhance quality of life.”
