Edinburgh's 'notorious' Picardy Place set for another redesign after traffic troubles in the area

The latest plans for the redesign of a notorious Edinburgh city centre junction have been unveiled.

For much of the last five years Picardy Place has faced continuous disruption from roadworks as a result of for the construction of the St James Quarter and ongoing tram works, giving rise to a host of traffic troubles around the area.

A long-awaited overhaul of the nuisance roundabout that connects Leith Walk, Leith Street, Broughton Street and York Place is set to get underway in January, with the council spending £2.7m on the project.

In addition, a new tram stop will be built at Picardy Place, replacing the old York Place stop, in time for the new line to Newhaven opening in Spring 2023.

Ambitious plans to redesign the central ‘island’ – which for years has been an eyesore construction site – are in the final stages and were presented to the council’s transport committee on Thursday (October 6).

They show the island re-imagined as a new public realm space with landscaping, trees, a water fountain and access for pedestrians and cyclists.

The blueprint also includes proposals for several bike stands and a ‘cycle hire location’.

Edinburgh Councillors have discussed plans for a redesign of Picardy Place.

A report stated project stakeholders including local councillors, community councils and resident groups met in August “to discuss the projects goals, constraints and provide an opportunity to raise issues that could be included or excluded from the project”.

It added work on more detailed designs and procurement will take place until December before construction begins in January, with the project set to run to spring.

“The estimated cost for the delivery of this project is £2.7m, however once the detailed designs are developed a more accurate cost estimate will be available,” the report said.

Speaking at the transport committee, City Centre Greens councillor Claire Miller urged officials to engage with the stakeholders before plans are finalised.

She added they are “aware we are working to quite tight time-scales to deliver this” and noted there has been “a bit of frustration in the past” over the level of engagement from the council.

Cllr Miller said: “I have received quite a large number of comments and questions from the stakeholders who took part in discussions that led to this and they really want to be part of that feedback.”