An ambitious plan to transform Edinburgh's city centre is set to go before the Transport and Environment Committee for approval this week, 16 May.

The draft Edinburgh City Centre Transformation Strategy sets out how the City of Edinburgh Council and its partners will meet the challenges faced while improving community, economic and cultural life.

This plan includes improvement to public spaces and the prioritisation of movement on foot, by bike and by public transport.

Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Lesley Macinnes, said: "This is an exciting and ambitious strategy, one which will deliver transformative benefits across the city and for a whole range of people travelling to and within Edinburgh. We want everyone to share in Edinburgh's success and reimagining our city centre and its purpose will help make this happen.

"Here we have a blueprint to move the city forward. The proposals are designed to prompt debate - they aren't finalised designs or ideas. They are examples of what we could do to deliver the city centre that residents are telling us they want.

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"By creating public spaces that are more welcoming and enjoyable, making walking and cycling in the city centre easier and safer and improving access to public transport networks we want to equip the city for the future. Key to achieving this is to create a consistent and coordinated approach to city centre planning and management. This means continuing to link the Transformation Strategy with policies and projects including Low Emission Zone, City Mobility Plan, City Plan 2030."

Proposals are closely interlinked with the Council's broader ambitions to develop sustainability and connectivity across the city, including plans for Low Emission Zones (LEZ) and the City Mobility Plan.

They include:

• A pedestrian priority zone and a network of car-free streets creating a walkable core at the heart of the World Heritage Site.

• Improvements to streets and public spaces which complement the city’s unique heritage. 

• A connected network across the city centre of segregated and safe cycle routes including a new walking and cycling bridge connecting the Old Town and the New Town.

• A free city centre hopper bus to support people moving around the city without a car.

• Lifts or other forms of vertical connections at key points to help people, especially those with mobility restrictions, explore the different street levels.

• Reducing the presence of cars to free up space for other users, including a significant reduction of on-street parking with priority given to residents and blue badge parking.

A six-week public consultation will be launched on the programme if approved by the Transport and Environment Committee.

(CM/JG)