Sustrans is working with the City of Edinburgh Council to improve public spaces and create community artworks in Leith and Corstorphine, as part of landmark interventions introduced to make it easier to walk, wheel and cycle.
Liveable neighbourhoods are places where streets are designed for people and not dominated by traffic. Credit: Sustrans, 2023.
Removing through traffic from our neighbourhoods can help make them more liveable places for everyone.
Liveable neighbourhoods give everyone the freedom of choice in how they make their journeys.
While private cars and blue badge holders can still access all homes and businesses, this low-traffic approach means crossing through the community is easier and more convenient by walking, wheeling, cycling or via public transport.
In 2023, Sustrans supported the City of Edinburgh Council in rolling out the first two major projects of this type ever trialled in Scotland.
Community engagement has been key to the success of both projects, with residents able to contribute to the plans and offer feedback on the measures introduced at each stage.
Now with changes in operation, Leith Connections and Corstorphine Connections are hoping to make healthier and more sustainable everyday journeys easier and safer for everyone.
Liveable neighbourhoods
Liveable neighbourhoods are places where streets are designed for people and not dominated by traffic.
Somewhere that children can play safely, and air pollution doesn’t threaten the health of the community.
Where walking, wheeling and cycling are safe, cost-effective and convenient ways to make short journeys, with people-first, accessible connections to public transport for longer trips.
And roads that are less congested for those who need to make essential journeys by car.
They also give more people the opportunity to connect with family, friends and neighbours.
But what does this mean in practice? And what’s happening in Edinburgh?
By creating safe, attractive and inclusive spaces in our villages, towns and cities we help more people leave the car at home and walk, wheel or cycle instead. Credit: Sustrans, 2023.
Leith Connections
The £650,000 phased project began initial construction in April 2023 and is transforming the streets and community spaces of Leith.
The project is being delivered by the City of Edinburgh Council with funding from the Scottish Government through Sustrans Scotland’s Places for Everyone programme.
For several years residents raised concerns with elected members and council officers about traffic volume and speeding vehicles in the area, and the impact this was having on local businesses and young people.
Leith Connections aims to address this by introducing traffic calming measures such as bus gates and vehicle filtering.
New dropped crossings have also been built along with pavement buildouts, making it easier for people to access Leith Links.
Improving connectivity within Leith is another key ambition of the project, with the addition of a segregated cycleway linking the Foot of the Walk to Commercial Street making it easier and safer than ever for local people to walk, wheel, cycle.
Changes will also help residents and visitors access the recently completed tram stops within the area.
But Leith Connections is about much more than active travel – it’s about creating welcoming and inclusive spaces where people want to stop and spend time.
With the help of pupils from Leith Primary School and St Marys (Leith) RC Primary School, a new colourful community road mural has not only provided somewhere for locals to relax and unwind, but also for children to play in.
Leith Connections is about creating welcoming and inclusive spaces where people want to stop and spend time. Credit: Sustrans, 2023.
This is one of several artworks based on Leith’s rich history which have been created as part of the project.
New planters filled with pollinator and native species, benches and cycle parking have also been installed.
Work on Leith Connections is ongoing with cycleway construction and high quality public realm improvements around Sandport Place bridge scheduled for 2024.
An additional phase is looking to introduce high-quality walking, wheeling and cycling and public realm improvements between the Hawthornvale Path in the west and the Seafield Road path in the east.
Corstorphine Connections
This project aims to make the streets of Corstorphine safer for children walking, wheeling and cycling to school.
As part of Corstorphine Connections, traffic calming measures were introduced near Carrick Knowe Primary School to reduce the speed and volume of traffic around pick up times.
Pupils fed into the designs and helped plan routes to and from school, as well as creating artworks which are now proudly displayed at the gates.
These changes have made travelling actively an attractive and accessible option for more children living in the area.
Corstorphine Connections aims to make the streets safer for children walking, wheeling and cycling to school. Credit: Sustrans, 2023.
And the wider Corstorphine Connections project will see these benefits felt throughout the community.
Footway improvements introduced along Corstorphine High Street, Saughton Road North, Dovecot Road, Featherhall Terrace and Kirk Loan will remove barriers to walking, while traffic restrictions on Manse Road, Featherhall Avenue and Featherhall Crescent will reduce levels of air pollution making the area safer for everyone.
A series of crossing improvements will also be added along Saughton Road North.
Construction on the project started in April 2023.
Corstorphine Connections is being delivered by the City of Edinburgh Council and was made possible by funding from the Scottish Government through Sustrans Scotland’s Places for Everyone programme.
Putting people first
Liveable neighbourhoods are a vital tool to help us combat the health, climate and cost of living crises at home in our communities.
By creating safe, attractive and inclusive spaces in our villages, towns and cities we help more people leave the car at home and walk, wheel or cycle instead.
Measuring the impact of Leith and Corstorphine Connections is going to be key to the roll out of similar schemes throughout Scotland.
Elements of both projects are being delivered on a trial basis.
During this time, feedback from the residents is being sought to ensure that the projects reflect the wants and needs of those living in the area.
At Sustrans, we will continue to support our partners and communities across Scotland to create more sustainable, liveable, and better-connected places which have a positive impact on the lives of everyone living and working within them.
Find out more about the exciting projects funded through Places for Everyone.
