Newly-installed bicycle parking is set to open in areas of Edinburgh, it has been announced.

The local authority has said it will trial three types of on-street storage, which have been constructed to address cycle parking issues in the area.

Edinburgh will offer the facilities to residents through a partnership with CHAMP, a European project that promotes cycling provision in seven leading cities. The facilities being installed are lockers, hinged units and roll-top units.

They are currently being installed in five locations throughout the city, with four situated in the Southside – South Oxford Street, Lonsdale Terrace and two sites in Warrender Park Crescent – and one in the West End, in Douglas Crescent.

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A waiting list will be established for locals to use the units and will be selected on a first come, first served basis. It is thought the units will be ready for use by the end of August.

Commenting on the scheme, Transport Convener, Councillor Lesley Hinds, said: "We have pledged to promote active travel and sustainable transport, and such want to make cycling as accessible as possible for everyone here in Edinburgh.

"By making bicycle parking easier for those living in tenements we hope to encourage even more people to take up cycling, helping us to achieve our ambitious target to have 10% of all trips and 15% of journeys to work by bike by 2020."

Use of the facilities will be free initially, but a small charge of around £5 a month is expected to come into effect at a later stage to assist with the maintenance and management of the facilities.

(JP/CD)