Here's how Edinburgh's new Roseburn to Union Canal travel route will look

Glimpse of how new green corridor will improve area

The project will provide a "missing link" between Roseburn and Fountainbridge. Image: HarrisonStevens

NEW images reveal just what a new green corridor from Roseburn to Fountainbridge will look like, with bridge crossings, park improvements and nearly 5,000 new trees.

The Roseburn to Union Canal active travel route is intended to encourage commuters to walk or cycle to work.

And the route, which partly uses former railway land, has even been compared to a high-profile elevated linear park in New York.

A new bridge will be built over Dalry Road. Image: HarrisonStevens

Stuart Hay, director of Living Streets, tweeted: “This looks genuinely exciting and transformative and has something of the NY High Line about it where active travel meets green infrastructure.”

The High Line is a 1.45-mile-long elevated linear park, greenway and rail trail created on a former New York Central Railroad spur on the west side of Manhattan.

Mr Hay said: “This is a really welcome project - it’s walking, cycling and green space in a densely packed part of Edinburgh.

“It’s exactly the type of project we need in the pandemic for people getting out, walking, cycling in the city.”

The multi-million pound project aims to fill a “missing link” in the Capital’s walking and cycling network with a new off-road cycleway and pedestrian paths, with major environmental improvements along the way.

Dalry Community Park will receive a new playpark, resurfacing of the sports pitch, lighting, seating, shared-use pathways, and improved access points.

A new bridge crossing over Dalry Road and the Mid Calder railway line will be completed to connect the North Edinburgh Path Network to Fountainbridge.

And an overhaul of unused spaces, adjacent to Russell Road and West Approach Road will also be transformed under the new proposal.

The council aims to plant 4,795 woodland and semimature trees across the site, although some trees will also be lost as part of the project.

The council said the latest project designs build on its consultation with the local community in 2015/16, when 95 per cent of respondents expressed their support for the measures, as well as subsequent engagement carried out in 2019.

Among the changes made to the initial proposals as a result of feedback are the development of a tree protection strategy, improved access points and the increase of path widths to four metres, providing additional space for both pedestrians and cyclists.

Transport and Environment Convener Councillor Lesley Macinnes said: “These visualisations bring the exciting plans to life, and demonstrate just what a positive impact they will have on the local community and its surroundings.

“Not only will this project provide an essential link in our cycling and walking network, it will considerably enhance the nearby greenspaces and biodiversity, benefiting all those who live and travel here.”

Enabling works are expected to start this month, involving site clearance, ground investigation and excavations.

A protected species/habitat survey will also be carried out, and the council said it would work with contractors to explore ways of minimising the loss of trees as a result of the project.

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