The City of Edinburgh Council has unveiled final proposed concept designs for the transformation of historic George Street.

Detailed designs by LDA Design, with a 3D fly-through by Luma 3D Interactive, offer a glimpse of what George Street and the surrounding area could look like in 2025.

Significantly widened pavements, improved lighting, inviting spaces for play and relaxation, and a cycling thoroughfare, largely car free, make for a more people-focussed setting. By retaining symmetry and removing street clutter alongside urban greening, the designs both protect the area’s heritage and enhance the environment. The impact of heavy rain and floods will be reduced through the sustainable management of surface water, including soft landscaping and areas of permeable surfacing.

The scheme is a key element of the Edinburgh City Centre Transformation, which includes walking, wheeling and cycling connections to the forthcoming Meadows to George Street and City Centre West to East Link routes. It also supports the City Mobility Plan, a ten-year strategy to overhaul transport and mobility in the Scottish capital to deliver a sustainable, net-zero carbon and inclusive future, where travel by active and public transport is easy and reliable.

The final concept designs follow several years of development and engagement with the public and stakeholders to refine design objectives, including community councils and heritage groups such as Edinburgh World Heritage, and business, walking, cycling and accessibility groups. During February and March, further engagement will take place with key groups and the public. Final designs will be brought to the Transport and Environment Committee in April before a statutory TRO process begins