Construction begins on first phase of West Edinburgh Link

Work begins at South Gyle Access.
Work begins at South Gyle Access.

Our contractor Balfour Beatty commenced works yesterday (December 3), which are expected to last until Summer 2026.

The West Edinburgh Link (WEL) will transform provision for cycling, walking, and accessibility around one of Scotland’s key business parks, whilst better connecting local communities to places of work, retail, leisure, and education.

WEL will also link up with key active travel routes to the city centre, including Quiet Route 8, the Union Canal and the Water of Leith Path.

Some of the work we’re undertaking in the first phase includes new segregated cycleways on South Gyle Access and Bankhead Avenue, along with widening, surfacing, and improving lighting on the Torwood Path.

Full details on phase one and the wider project are available on our website.

Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Stephen Jenkinson said:

“It’s brilliant to see this new work getting underway in the west of the city.

“Properly connecting our communities and encouraging our residents to travel in more sustainable and healthy ways remain key priorities for us. WEL is an important project under our ambitious City Mobility Plan as we keep Edinburgh moving.

“From revitalising active travel provision on the Torwood Path to improving access to Edinburgh College at Sighthill, alongside a host of other improvements, I’ve no doubt that local people will experience real benefits once this transformational project is complete.”

 

Published: December 4th 2025