WATCH: Work begins on new Edinburgh walking and cycling route
The 19.4 Million pound project will link the east and west of Edinburgh for cyclists and walkers
Ground has been broken on a new cycling and walking route that will link the east and west of Edinburgh.
The £19.4 Million project will join Roseburn with Leith Walk.
But it will mean disruption for road users, with work expected to be completed in around 18 months.
Workers from Balfour Beatty will even use E-bikes to get to travel between sections of construction.
Plus Site compounds will utilise ‘EcoSense’ cabins in conjunction with an ECONET power management system, which significantly reduces energy consumption and water usage.
Councillor Lesley Macinnes, Transport and Environment Convener, said:
"I’m thrilled that we’re now delivering the CCWEL, one of the largest pieces of safe walking, wheeling and cycling infrastructure the Capital has seen yet.
"It’s been really exciting to visit the site and see work get underway – before long, this route will benefit so many people walking, wheeling and cycling to and from the city.
"The CCWEL project is just one of a range of bold initiatives to transform the way we travel around Edinburgh.
"We are committed to becoming a net zero city by 2030 and a key element of this is encouraging and supporting clean and sustainable modes of transport through projects like this."
Minister for Active Travel Patrick Harvie said:
"I’m pleased to see Scottish Government funding enable the construction of the City Centre West to East Link. It’s a vital connection which will help people to walk, wheel and cycle in Edinburgh as the natural choice, leading to better health, less congestion and a better environment.
"I want to see many more schemes similar to this in communities across Scotland. That’s why we’re nearly tripling what Scotland invests in active travel over the next three years to at least £320 million a year.
"I’m committed to making sure those record levels of investment lead to real change in our cities, towns and neighbourhoods, delivering safe, attractive places for many more people to walk, wheel and cycle."