Dundee Street Fountainbridge Active Travel Project

The project area includes

• Dundee Street and Fountainbridge (between Angle Park Terrace and Ponton Street), including some side road treatments
• Ashley Drive, Ogilvie Terrace, Harrison Gardens, West Bryson Road, Bryson Road and Fowler Terrace.

This project is part of a bigger plan to help people walk, wheel and cycle all across Edinburgh. It will connect to other routes including

• the new Roseburn to Union Canal
• Meadows to Union Canal
• Dalry Road
• Lothian Road

Once in place these projects will form a crucial part of the city’s active travel network, connecting communities with alternative and sustainable travel to work, study and leisure.

Question - When will the work start and how long will it take?

There is no firm construction date. A construction phasing plan will be developed in co-ordination with all the planned changes in the area. A priority for phasing will be to minimise disruption to residents, businesses, and those travelling through the area. At present it is anticipated that construction will be phased over 2026 to 2028.

Question - How much will the project cost and where will the money come from?

The estimated cost of the project is £10 million. This will be funded by a combination of Scottish Government/Transport Scotland and relevant City of Edinburgh Council funding earmarked for active travel. It is also possible that some of the work will be delivered as part of the adjacent development masterplans.

Securing funding from multiple sources helps ensure best value for public investment.

Question - What will happen to parking?

As part of the proposed changes, there will be some adjustments to parking provision in the area.

Some disabled parking bays may be moved slightly but there will be no change in the number of disabled bays.

Permit holder bays may be moved slightly but there will be no change in the overall length of dedicated permit holder bays available.

There will be some changes made to the length available for uncontrolled (single yellow lines and unmarked areas) and pay and display parking.

Question - What will happen to loading, servicing and deliveries?

For the most part, loading will remain unchanged from the current situation. Where this isn’t feasible, loading provision will be relocated to nearby locations such as side streets to ensure continued access for servicing and deliveries.

In 2024 we invited the 83 businesses adjacent to the Dundee Street and Fountainbridge section of the route to contribute comments via a survey. While the majority of respondents were positive about the active travel proposals introduced to date, some businesses identified a desire to improve loading arrangements. We commit to work with traders to provide adequate arrangements as we develop the designs further following consultation.

Question - How will this affect local businesses?

We understand how important it is to support local businesses during and after the delivery of this project.

The proposals are intended to make it easier and safer for people to walk, wheel and cycle in the area in order to help create a more attractive and welcoming environment for customers, encouraging footfall, and make the area a more pleasant place to spend time. By improving the connections to the wider city, we anticipate the project will also help bring more people into the area from nearby neighbourhoods and across the city.

We recognise there will be a period of change during and after implementation. To support business operations, access for loading and deliveries will be retained or relocated to nearby side streets. We will continue to work with local businesses through the design stages.

Question - What will happen to the traffic?

The City of Edinburgh has a strategic plan for traffic circulation called Future Streets. This designates Primary routes – those suitable for through traffic, Secondary routes – suitable for local traffic distribution, and Local streets intended for local access only.    This requires a number of changes to improve safety and accessibility for everyone using the streets and to encourage more sustainable travel choices and to encourage through traffic to use Primary routes.

The proposals complement this by recognising Dundee Street/ Fountainbridge as a Secondary route. For example, to help reduce through-traffic and make the area safer, vehicles will no longer be allowed into Henderson Terrace from Dundee Street. This change is designed to encourage through traffic to use the West Approach Road instead, which is better suited for higher traffic volumes.

We’re also introducing new signalised junctions and crossings, including at Yeaman Place to make it safer and easier to access both sides of the street. These crossings may have a small impact on vehicle journey times, but they are essential for improving safety and accessibility for people walking, wheeling and cycling.

Traffic modelling has been undertaken to understand the changes to traffic circulation that may result from this project, in combination with other proposals in the nearby area, such as Dalry Living Well Locally. The results of the modelling indicate that the proposals will have the impact of complementing the Future Streets network by encouraging traffic to use Primary routes and reducing traffic on Local streets.

Question - Why are there changes to traffic movements of Ashley Drive and Fowler Terrace proposed?

As part of the project, we’re also delivering the Union Canal Link to encourage commuting cyclists to use the streets rather than the constrained section of the Canal approaching Lochrin Basin. This incorporates changes to the Local routes of Ashley Drive, Ogilvie Terrace, Harrison Gardens, West Bryson Road, Bryson Road and Fowler Terrace, and will include:

• Traffic calming measures, such as modal filters, to reduce vehicle volumes
• Improved pavements and crossings for people walking and wheeling
• Reduced traffic on some streets to make them safer and more peaceful

These changes will enhance the local access role of these streets by minimising through traffic movements to help create a safer, more attractive environment for residents, while maintaining local vehicle access and encouraging faster cyclists to use the streets rather than the Union Canal.

Question - What will be the impact on buses and bus passengers?

Changes are proposed that we hope will benefit safer and more accessible streets for everyone, including access for bus passengers.

As part of the proposals, bus stops will be moved a short distance to better align to places with more waiting space for passengers. As a result, in some cases we expect to be able to introduce shelters where there currently is none.

The introduction of new signalised junctions and pedestrian crossings may have a small impact on vehicle journey times, including buses. However, we have to balance that with the essential need to improve safety and accessibility for people who wish to get to and from the bus as well as to cross the streets for other reasons.

Overall, the project aims to create a more balanced street environment that supports all modes of travel, including public transport, and encourages more people to choose sustainable ways of getting around. Consultation has been undertaken with bus operators and is ongoing.

Question - What is a bus stop bypass?

Where a cycle track goes past a bus stop, a bus stop bypass is normally provided. This is where the cycle track continues past the bus stop. Most of the time it is positioned between the main pavement and the bus stop waiting area. This avoids people cycling being put in the same space as bus vehicles or pedestrians, provides a dedicated space for bus passengers to wait, and keeps the main pavement clear. To help people move between the main pavement and the bus, zebra crossings are provided over the cycle track.

Question - What will be the impact on pedestrians, including pedestrians with disabilities?

A primary aim of the project is to improve conditions for pedestrians, including those with visual or mobility impairments.

We’re upgrading and widening pavements and crossings throughout the project area to make them safer, more accessible and easier to use. This includes the introduction of new signalised pedestrian crossings, which will help people cross busy roads more safely and confidently.

The proposals also include traffic calming measures and changes to street layouts that will reduce vehicle speeds and volumes, creating quieter and more comfortable environments for walking and wheeling.

We’re committed to ensuring that the final designs meet accessibility standards and respond to the needs of all users. Feedback from local people with lived experience of disability is especially welcome because while we also actively consult with representative stakeholders to seek guidance at all stages of the design process, this does not always capture the local priorities.

Question - Will the roads be repaired as part of the project?

Yes — some roads within the project area will be resurfaced as part of the works, particularly where changes to layout, crossings or cycle infrastructure are being introduced.

Other sections may not be resurfaced directly through this project, but could be addressed separately through the Council’s wider road maintenance and resurfacing programme, depending on condition and prioritisation.

We’re working closely with relevant teams to coordinate improvements wherever possible, aiming to deliver a consistent and high-quality finish across the area while making best use of available resources. The specific areas that are resurfaced are subject to assessment at future design stages.

Question - How will my feedback influence the proposals?

Your feedback is really important and will play a key role in shaping the final design.

The proposals are currently at the concept design stage, which means there is still flexibility to make changes based on what we hear from the community. We’re keen to understand what works well, what could be improved, and any specific ideas you may have.

All comments received during the consultation will be carefully reviewed and considered by the project team. This includes feedback from residents, businesses, community groups and people who travel through the area.

Following the consultation, we’ll use your input to help refine the designs before moving to the next stage. We’ll also share a summary of what we heard and how it influenced the proposals, so you can see how your views have helped shape the project.

Question - What will happen next?

The public consultation is open until 12 January 2026, and we encourage everyone to share their views before then.

Once the consultation closes, we’ll carefully review all feedback received from residents, businesses, community groups and other stakeholders. This input will help us refine the proposals, which are currently at the concept design stage, before moving on to more detailed design work.

We’ll publish a summary of the feedback and explain how it has influenced the next stage of the project. This ensures transparency and shows how community input is helping to shape the final design.

Further updates will be shared as the project progresses, including opportunities to stay involved and informed.

Route overview: Dundee Street and Fountainbridge

Route overview: Union Canal Link