Edinburgh Council is seeking input from residents and visitors of Craigmillar and Niddrie on improving the look and feel of Niddrie Mains Road and its high street.

The council is aiming to improve access to local facilities and greenspaces by active and sustainable travel, and the provision of a new primary school in Greendykes.

This is the latest project within Edinburgh's 20-Minute Neighbourhood strategy, which seeks to deliver better community-focussed places where everyone can meet most of their daily needs within a short walk, wheel or cycle from their home.

A community coffee morning with play activities available for younger children, will be held on Saturday 13th May between 9:30am – 1:30pm at Greengables Family Centre, where people will have the opportunity to discuss the projects in more detail, share feedback and ask questions.

People can also share their thoughts either online or in person at Craigmillar Library. The online survey is available until 7th July. Paper copies of the survey and feedback cards are available to fill in and submit by the community board at Craigmillar Library.

Plans for the local area also include proposals for a new primary school in Greendykes. This project brings exciting opportunities to explore ways the new school can provide extra use and community benefits for the local area. A specific survey for the proposed new Greendykes Primary School is also open, where people can give views on the location of the new school and potential for the wider community.

Councillor Joan Griffiths, Education, Children and Families Convener, said: "Our 20-minute neighbourhood strategy is about working together to make the local area better at serving the daily needs of the local community and businesses. Schools are a key part of this and we want them to be at heart of their local communities. Projects like the proposed new primary school in Greendykes provide the opportunity to rethink how community facilities can provide wider use and benefits for everyone to live well locally.

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"Our high streets and local centres are also places that bring people together and provide excellent opportunities to live, work and spend time. Craigmillar has benefitted from some fantastic regeneration in recent years, but the High Street still has a lot of potential to become a more vibrant, attractive and inclusive space for everyone.

"We are calling for local people and businesses to share their views so we can develop a plan for school provision in the area, improved public spaces and to encourage people to access the high street, local facilities and greenspaces by active and sustainable travel."

Michael Melton, Grant Manager for Sustrans, said: "Creating safe and accessible routes to schools and businesses is a core part of what we do, and is at the heart of the plans to further regenerate the Craigmillar area.

"This exciting project will not only tailor convenient walking, wheeling and cycling options to the needs of the local area, but will also help develop the Niddrie High Street into a more relaxed and attractive setting for residents to socialise and spend time in.

“We strongly encourage everyone living and working in the area to share their views on the plans for the area to help ensure the project is as successful as possible."

The surveys are an initial opportunity for people to give their views. It will inform the development of an initial plan for school provision in the local area, and for encouraging people to access an improved high street, local facilities and greenspaces by active and sustainable travel. The Council will continue to work with the local community and businesses as this develops.

The 20-Minute Neighbourhood strategy was launched in June 2021. Its vision is to enable a net zero Edinburgh where everyone can live well locally.

The city needs this level of ambition to achieve a significant shift towards sustainable transport. Increased walking, wheeling cycling and using public transport can all help to cut congestion and reduce emissions. It will help to create more social, inclusive and accessible places. This will also support physical and mental wellbeing and help to end poverty in Edinburgh.

The City of Edinburgh Council has been awarded Places for Everyone funding to develop a concept design for an improved high street in Craigmillar. Places for Everyone is an active travel infrastructure fund backed by the Scottish Government and administered by Sustrans. The Places for Everyone programme provides support and expertise to help deliver walking, wheeling, and cycling improvements across the country.