New ‘green corridor’ to revitalise forgotten parts of Edinburgh
Work is underway to create a ‘green corridor’ to join up parts of Edinburgh and provide walking, wheeling and cycling opportunities for residents.
The £12.5m Roseburn to Union Canal Active Travel Route and Greenspace Improvements project will regenerate disused parts of the city, rebooting inaccessible open spaces.
Construction work began on January 30th and is expected to go on until April 2024 when the route can be used by residents to improve mental and physical health.
Funding from active travel charity Sustrans, through its Places for Everyone Scheme, and the Scottish government will go towards establishing the green corridor.
Cllr Scott Arthur, Transport and Environment Convener at the City of Edinburgh Council, said: ‘This project will transform the route between Roseburn and the Union Canal, where disused and inaccessible areas will become welcoming, green community spaces encouraging biodiversity and play.
‘It will also plug a gap in the city’s active travel network by providing a high-quality pedestrian and cycle path between Fountainbridge and the extremely popular North Edinburgh Path Network, as well as leading to the City Centre West to East Link, which is currently under construction.
‘We’ll do everything we can to minimise disruption over the coming year and we’ll continue to keep residents up to date as we progress the scheme.’
Two new bridges, across the Mid Calder railway line and Dalry Road leading to Dalry Community Park, will be created as part of the project, while the park will get upgrades to the sports pitch and playpark. Sauchiebank and Duff Street are also set to get community gardens.
A £4m wide pedestrian and cycle path will be created, boosting Edinburgh’s active travel network by connecting the North Edinburgh Path Network to Fountainbridge.
Michael Melton, Grant Manager for Sustrans, said: ‘We’re delighted to see works now starting on the Roseburn to Union Canal project in Edinburgh. After several years of design and engagement with the local community, this transformative project will not only provide a vital connection for walking, wheeling, and cycling in the heart of the city, but will also serve as an accessible greenspace for everyone to enjoy.’
Additionally, a planting strategy will then bring inaccessible areas of woodland back to life, with plans to plant 5000 woodland and semi-mature trees. Around 450 trees will need to be felled to deliver the project which would be removed as part of long-term maintenance planning.
Photo by Gabriele Stravinskaite