Leith Walk is to get a welcome boost through a £5.5 million improvement programme, the City of Edinburgh Council announced today (25 July).
The plans will be considered for approval by the Finance and Resources Committee on 31 July and include extensive road resurfacing, environmental improvements and the reinstallation of art work that was removed to accommodate tram works.
Utility works which were undertaken as part of the Edinburgh trams project will now be completed, following the decision to terminate the line at York Place.
Leith Walk and Constitution Street will benefit from resurfacing from Picardy Place Roundabout to Bernard Street Junction. London Road roundabout will also be reinstated with landscaping, as will traffic islands and pedestrian refuge islands.
Junctions and crossings are also to be upgraded if the plans are approved.
A number of environmental improvements are also included in the proposals, including additional soft landscaping, tree planting, and the replacement of broken paving on the footpaths.
The iconic art works and monuments that will make a return to the area, include the Sherlock Holmes statue, the London Road Clock, and the pudgy bronze Pigeons.
Funding for the programme has been identified from the Tram project budget (£2.3 million) and as a result of efficiencies in the Council’s Capital programme (£3.2 million).
Transport Convener, Councillor Lesley Hinds, said: “Residents and businesses have been affected by the tram works so I think it’s only fair that this iconic street is now returned to its former glory. This programme goes even further than that to provide environmental improvements such as landscaping and general upgrading that will provide a significant benefit for many years to come."
She added: “We will continue to meet with members of the local community to make sure that our plans meet with their expectations and we will work with them to reduce disruption as far as possible.”