Open Streets Edinburgh

Overview

The City of Edinburgh Council wishes to develop an ‘Open Streets’ programme of vehicle-free days on the first Sunday of each month (10am–5pm) in key parts of the city centre and town centres.

Through the temporary closure of selected streets to motor traffic, the programme will allow the city centre and town centres to be experienced as quieter, more people-focussed places, where the city’s heritage, shops, cafes, restaurants and cultural attractions can be enjoyed by all without the impact of traffic congestion and air pollution.

Temporary closures will help shape longer-term plans for transforming the city and town centres to prioritise access on foot, by bike and public transport by allowing local aspirations for change to be tested and evaluated before any design work is carried out.

The programme follows the positive response from Edinburgh’s Summer Summit (21 and 22 June 2018), which saw part of George Street turned into a vehicle-free public space.

Why your views matter

The Council is seeking feedback from residents and businesses to help us plan the location and implementation of Open Streets days in Edinburgh.