Project details
Our proposals are for people-friendly, inclusive streets that are inviting and enjoyable for everyone to spend time in and walk through.
The proposals prioritise walking, cycling and public transport, and reduce general through traffic, benefitting local people, businesses and visitors.
Our Objectives
A place for people – enlarge and improve the pedestrian space, creating a safe, vibrant place for people to live in and for all to enjoy.
Strengthen the qualities of these streets for people, in ways which respect and enrich the World Heritage Site.
Sustainable and inclusive transport – prioritise dedicated space for walking and cycling, access for people with a disability or impairment, and retain public transport access.
Resilient and adaptable space – a street design that can accommodate the changing needs of these streets by season, time of day and future years’ requirements.
A thriving economy – enhance the streets as places where visitor destinations and businesses of all sizes can prosper.
Proposed designs
The overview map shows all the streets included in the project. So you can see the proposals in greater detail, we’ve divided the streets into 6 sections.
Click the red boxes on the map to see the final design for each location.
This design covers the route at Teviot Place, Bristo Place and Forrest Road. This design covers the route at Forrest Road, Candlemaker Row and George IV Bridge. This design covers the route at George IV Bridge, The Royal Mile and Bank Street. This design covers the route at North Bank Street and the Mound. This design covers the route at The Mound, Princes Street and Hanover Street. This design covers the route at Market Street.
Teviot Place, Bristo Place and Forrest Road
Forrest Road, Candlemaker Row and George IV Bridge
George IV Bridge, The Royal Mile and Bank Street
North Bank Street and the Mound
The Mound, Princes Street and Hanover Street
Market Street
Restricted Parking Zone
The project will implement a Restricted Parking Zone (RPZ) across the core project area. An RPZ removes the requirement for double yellow line restrictions, with areas for loading and parking individually marked and signed – as shown in the design plans. Parking and loading is prohibited on all other areas of carriageway.
Final Updates 2022
Hanover Street
The project team has been working closely with the George Street and First New Town project which is transforming George Street. Key developments have been made to Hanover Street in the final designs, these include:
- The 2-way cycle track is changing to 1-way cycle tracks on either side of the road
- These designs align with the new proposals for George Street junction.
- Previously proposed loading provisions and traffic operations are unchanged.
Market Street
The City Centre Transformation transport network includes the provision of a bus gate on Market Street to reduce through traffic volumes across the MGS scheme corridor. The Council’s Leadership Advisory Panel meeting on 31 March 2020 approved that this was to be adopted and delivered by the MGS scheme. The details include:
- A new bus gate is proposed at junction with Jeffrey Street, permitting access only for buses, taxis and cycles during hours of operation.
- 2 new mini roundabouts will be designed to enable traffic to access the street and station.
- Improved pedestrian crossings and including a new zebra crossing.
Concept design image, refer to proposed designs for current design information.
Public Spaces
- Pedestrianisation of Forrest Road
- Pedestrian priority on Candlemaker Row
- Expansion and improvement of the public space around Greyfriars Bobby
- Seating at key spaces and viewpoints along the streets
- New public spaces on the Mound and Bank Street
- New trees and greening
- High quality materials in keeping with cultural heritage of the area
- Exploring opportunities to incorporate play and child friendly element to the streets
- Inclusive design to ensure access for all
Walking
- Improved crossing between Middle Meadow Walk and Forrest Road
- New formalised crossing points on key desire lines, such as between Greyfriars and the Museum
- Wider, decluttered pavements and continuous footways at key points, such as Victoria Street and Candlemaker Row
Cycling
- Segregated cycleways on Forrest Road, George IV Bridge, The Mound, Bank Street and Hanover Street
- Cycle parking along the streets
- Signalised junction phases arranged to ensure cycle safety along main route
Concept design image, refer to proposed designs for current design information.
Concept design image, refer to proposed designs for current design information.
Concept design image, refer to proposed designs for current design information.
Buses and other traffic
- Bus priority corridor, with no general through traffic on Bank Street, between Market Street and Lawnmarket
- Floating bus stops
- Forrest Road, all traffic removed other than access for residents of the street and loading and servicing at certain times
Candlemaker Row, between Merchant Street and George IV Bridge, all traffic removed other than the number 2 bus service and access for residents of the street
Loading and Parking
- Loading is provided at certain locations for businesses along the route, based on requirements highlighted by feedback from businesses and survey analysis. We propose this to be restricted to certain times of day so that at other times it can be used for other street activities, such as seating and walking.
- Candlemaker Row, loading is proposed to be limited to Merchant Street and on the section of Candlemarker Row between Merchant Street and Cowgate
- All the current single yellow lines, and associated blips, along Forrest Road, George IV Bridge, Bristo Place, Bank Street would be changed double yellow, double blip markings, resulting in no parking or loading at any time
- Taxi drop off and pick up permitted on certain streets
Changes to Traffic
The proposed changes to traffic operations in the project area are an important part of the project and enable and enhance the proposed street changes. These changes are embedded within the Council’s City Centre Transformation Project and fit within the long- term vision for a future city centre traffic network. This map shows the detail of the proposed traffic changes in the Meadows to George Street project area. You can click the image to see a larger version. You can also find out more about the City Centre Transformation Project on the Council website.
Get In Touch
0131 469 3776
0131 529 7908
Waverley Court
4 East Market Street
Edinburgh
EH8 8BG
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We will be sending out regular updates about the project’s progress, and as we make decisions based on your input. You can opt into these updates through the link below.