Streets face changes for social distancing

Wide-ranging changes to famous streets in Edinburgh to help residents social distance are set to be approved by councillors.

A criteria for which roads in the city could be transformed to be more cycling and walking-friendly is to be discussed by councillors at a meeting of the Policy and Sustainability committee of Edinburgh City Council.

If approved, plans for several of Edinburgh’s most famous streets will then be brought forward by officers, including theclosureofwaverleybridge and the widening of pavements on George IV Bridge.

As restrictions start to be eased, the council has said it will also look at further changes including pedestrian priority at signalised road crossings, extended bus lane hours, widened pavements and a speed limit review.

The implementation of a 30mph speed limit on 40mph roads will be brought forward, as well as an “urgent review” of streets with a 30mph limits where a 20mph limit would “complement other measures being introduced”.

Several of the projects due to be brought forward are already part of the council’s approved Edinburgh City Centre Transformation plan, with temporary measures to bepaidforthroughpreviously allocated funding in the council’s budget.

Others will be dependent on a bid for part of the Scottish Government’s pledge for £10m in funding for active travel provision in cities and towns in Scotland.