The City of Edinburgh Council’s transport and environment committee has approved the full design for the ambitious George Street and First New Town project, marking a major milestone in the long-awaited transformation of one of the capital’s most iconic streets. The £35 million scheme aims to create a safer, more sustainable, and accessible city centre, though concerns remain over how the project will be funded.
The approved design will see George Street repaved with natural stone, the introduction of “dwell zones” featuring raised planters and seating, and the planting of trees at each end of the street. The plans also include a new two-way cycle carriageway, widened pavements, and the installation of hostile vehicle mitigation measures at all junctions. Construction is scheduled to begin in autumn 2027 and is expected to last two years, followed by a one-year defect period.
Councillor Stephen Jenkinson, convener of the transport and environment committee, welcomed the decision:
“The project is rooted in making the area safer, more sustainable and accessible for all. This is a unique opportunity to bring one of Edinburgh’s most important streets into the modern world whilst still maintaining its unique history and features. The wider potential improvements are vast, from benefits to local residents and businesses to enhancing Edinburgh as a visitor destination, and beyond – we’re on our way to delivering a bold new vision for George Street and our city centre”
Councillor Scott Arthur, also a committee convener, highlighted the inclusion of trees and accessibility improvements:
“I know the potential inclusion of trees on George Street will be welcomed by many, now their inclusion has been approved more work will be done to ensure the position and type of trees is sympathetic to the street’s iconic character. We have also listened carefully to the Edinburgh Access Panel and have agreed blue badge holders should have full access to up to 27 blue badge spaces in the George Street and First New Town area. This latest update marks an exciting milestone in the project and it will allow us to move forward with the final stages of development before construction begins.”
Despite the committee’s approval, the project faces significant funding challenges. Conservative councillor Joanna Mowat voiced strong concerns:
“The elephant in the room is we still don’t have any money and are reliant on applying to third parties and having this money granted to us before we can put a single shovel in the ground. We should just be realistic—that’s what we’ve got, that’s what we can afford, let’s do the maintenance schedule from the parking income rather than having a £35m fantasy budget. I don’t see, given the financial climate we’re in and the pressures on government funding, that we’re suddenly going to get this money.”
The council plans to seek funding from the new visitor levy, Scottish Government, Transport Scotland, and developers’ contributions. Officials argued it is standard practice for funding to be secured in stages as projects progress.
The redesign will restrict general traffic and reroute buses, with licensed black cabs allowed limited access and private hire vehicles excluded. This has prompted criticism from private hire taxi operators. Kevin Woodburn, owner of Capital Cars, said:
“We fail to understand the reasoning and the logic. The majority of the vehicles who service the public are not allowed access while the minority are – it makes no sense to us. My concern is that we once again are being put in a position where we have no choice but to go down a legal route.”
Councillor Arthur defended the restrictions, citing data that up to 5,000 taxis enter George Street daily, which would undermine the project’s goals if unrestricted access were allowed.
The council will now implement the necessary road orders and move towards final budget confirmation, tendering, and securing statutory consents. If sufficient funding cannot be secured, less ambitious alternatives remain under consideration.
