Residents in Edinburgh are being invited to submit their views over how the design of George Street and the surrounding area should look in the future.

A series of public drop-in events are taking place this week to gather views from individuals, community groups and stakeholders over the proposals.

Design consultants WYG Environment Planning Transport, in collaboration with LDA Design, were appointed in October to draw-up a long term vision for the First New Town streets which encompass George Street, Castle Street, Frederick Street and Hanover Street.

The new preliminary design will take into account George Street's interdependence with intersecting ‘First New Town' streets Castle Street, Frederick Street and Hanover Street, as well as Charlotte and St Andrew Squares.


Participants to the drop-in events will build on stakeholder engagement and a set of design principles adopted by the local authority last year following a year-long trial to increase pedestrian and cyclist provision on George Street. The results of these events, against which future designs for the First New Town will be developed, will also feed into the Council's wider context of the Central Edinburgh Transformation project.

Cllr Lesley Macinnes said: "George Street, as part of the First New Town, is one of Edinburgh's key thoroughfares and is  central to the way our city centre operates.

"That's why it's essential that we involve as many people, organisations and businesses as possible in the discussion about its future. “Throughout the initial George Street trial we worked with the public to explore needs and desires for the street. We want to reflect this approach with the broader, longer term Central Edinburgh Transformation, creating an overarching plan for a more welcoming, accessible city centre."

The first drop-in event is being held at The City Art Centre from 1pm – 6pm today, 15 January. The second will take place at the same venue from 3pm – 6pm on Tuesday, 16 January.

(LM/MH)