Roseburn to Union Canal

Project overview and vision

Image of the Roseburn to Union Canal project logo.

The Roseburn to Union Canal link is a £12.5 million active travel scheme that will transform public spaces along a route between Roseburn and the Union Canal, creating a green corridor and cycleway and bringing disused areas back into community use.

It is a key part of our actions for active travel to encourage more people to make greener travel choices such as walking, wheeling or cycling which was approved for consultation in February 2023.

We have developed the project over many years, consulting with local communities, including residents, businesses, ward Councillors and Community Councils.

It reflects our ambition to be net zero by 2030 and the wider vision for the city as set out in our key strategies including:

  • City Mobility Plan 2021-2030 a 10 year strategy to transform the way people, goods and services travel around the city.
  • City Plan 2030 the new Local Development Plan for Edinburgh which will set out policies and proposals for development in Edinburgh between 2020 and 2030. 
  • City Centre Transformation an ambitious 10 year strategy and delivery plan that aims to provide a people focused city centre, which is a desirable place to live, work and visit.

Read more about how we are shaping our city for future generations.  

Funding

The cost of the project will be approximately £12.5 million.

It is part of a multi-year funding agreement from Sustrans Scotland, who will fund 100% of design costs and up to 70% of construction costs through the Places for Everyone funding programme.

Places for Everyone is an active travel infrastructure fund supported by Transport Scotland which helps deliver walking, wheeling and cycling improvements across Scotland.

The impact on the Council’s budget is expected to be approximately £3.75 million, and this will be met from funding approved for the delivery of the Council’s Active Travel Investment programme.