Two active travel projects in Edinburgh have secured funding from Sustrans Scotland.

The West Edinburgh Active Travel Network and Meadows to George Street proposals were named among five other Scottish schemes as winners of the Sustrans Scotland Community Links PLUS funding competition.

The West Edinburgh Active Travel Network proposes to transform part of Edinburgh into a high quality Dutch-inspired cycle and pedestrian-friendly environment. Features include the creation of new direct and convenient cycling and walking routes linking the major business district of South Gyle/Edinburgh Park to residential areas to the north and south.

With the route connecting popular locations within a cycleable distance of 1.5km, the overhaul would see the west of Edinburgh transformed into an active travel hotspot, helping Edinburgh towards its vision of being home to one of the greenest, healthiest and most accessible transport systems in northern Europe by 2030.

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Elsewhere, the Meadows to George Street project proposes to create a direct cycle link between the Old and New Towns via Forrest Road, George IV Bridge, the Mound and Hanover Street.

With funding now secured, work will begin to further progress both projects. Reports setting out the next steps will be brought forward for consideration by the Transport and Environment Committee in the coming months.

Cllr Lesley Macinnes said: "We are absolutely delighted that not one but two City of Edinburgh Council active travel projects have been awarded this vitally important funding. As the fastest growing city in Scotland - and second fastest in the UK - it's critical that we put people at the very heart of our transport infrastructure.

"Making Edinburgh as easy as possible to get around on foot, by bike and by public transport helps everyone in this city. It will greatly improve residents' and visitors' health and wellbeing, reduce frustrating traffic congestion and harmful pollution and send a clear signal to the world that the Capital is a people-friendly place where all road users are equally as important."

The other winners of the Community Links PLUS competition include: the Inverness City Active Travel Network; Walk, Cycle, Live in Stirling; and Woodside Mini-Holland in Glasgow.

After an intensive three-stage process all five short-listed projects will be awarded a grant of up to 50% of the total project costs, with the grants totalling £22,540,360.

(LM)