Leith Connections: Hawthornvale to Seafield

Overview

Through our Leith Connections project, we are changing streets in Leith making it more comfortable for anyone walking, wheeling or cycling and creating new community spaces.

The Local Development Plan (LDP) and City Plan 2030 have identified significant areas of new residential development in the Leith area. Related action programmes have been developed to look at what improvements are needed to existing infrastructure and what new infrastructure is needed to provide safe and high-quality routes to enable more people to travel in sustainable ways. Proposals presented here will contribute to the delivery of these action programmes.

The project supports the City of Edinburgh Council’s City Mobility Plan. This aims to help Edinburgh connect through a safer and more inclusive carbon neutral transport system - delivering a healthier, thriving, fairer and compact capital city and a higher quality of life for all residents.

Please see Future Edinburgh for further details on how we are looking to change how people, goods and services move into and around Edinburgh that benefits everyone.

The Leith Connections project comprises the following changes:

• Delivering a more liveable neighbourhood - we have taken measures to reduce non-residential through traffic in the area but ensured that you can still access all properties and businesses by vehicle. 

• Foot of the Walk to Ocean Terminal route - active travel and public realm improvements

• Lindsay Road Bridge – bringing back this bridge into use for walking, wheeling and cycling 

• Hawthornvale to Seafield route - active travel and public realm improvements along the Lindsay Road to Salamander Street corridor between the Hawthornvale Path in the west and Seafield shared use path in the east.

In summer 2022, we sought feedback from the local community on the concept designs for the Hawthornvale to Seafield section of the project. This will create a high-quality active travel route and improved public realm. The design of this section of the project is being funded by Transport Scotland through the Sustrans Places for Everyone programme.

The consultation revealed strong support, with 72%-78% of respondents agreeing with the proposed approach to improve walking, wheeling and cycling conditions in each of the areas. Additionally, 67% of respondents said that the proposals would make them more likely to walk or wheel for short journeys. There was also significant backing for elements like trees, other planting, seating, and cycle parking along the Hawthornvale Path and Bernard Street areas.

We have since refined the design, incorporating the valuable feedback we received.

You can see our full developed design drawings below and can find a link to download these at the bottom of this page.

Why your views matter

Recent research in Edinburgh shows that 66% of residents make trips by walking at least five days a week and 22% per cent of residents cycle at least once a week. The research also shows what residents feel needs to be done to improve conditions to enable even more people to travel by foot, wheel or bike, particularly for shorter journeys. 

We are keen to hear from the local community what your view are on the proposed developed designs. Your feedback will help us better understand the community's views on the proposals for your local area.

Data will be handled in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulations that came into effect in May 2018. Data related to this survey is anonymised and will be used solely for the purpose of appraising the developed design.