Edinburgh Council introduces its 2021-2030 City Mobility Plan

This February, the Scottish Capital Edinburgh published its City Mobility Plan (2021-2030) for urban mobility development for the next 10 years. The main aim is to create a joined up transport network that is carbon emission free, efficient, accessible and affordable. The plan development included an intensive stakeholder and citizen consultation resulting in more than 1,800 comments to the draft plan and a broad support for the policy measures.

In 2023 the city wants to:

• develop a new tram route;
• carry out a review of the bus routes; 
• have a workplace parking levy in place; and
• for the low emission zone to be running.

Additionally, local public transport companies will face a reform to increase interoperability and cost efficiency.

2025 will see:

• the finalisation of a mass rapid transit plan for the city and its regions based on further new bus and tram lines, which will be ready for service in the same year for some part;
• a review of the bus route network results of 2023; 
• main historical and touristic streets starting to be traffic-free;
• a walking and cycling network encouraging active travel for all; and
•  the first results of the '20 minute' neighbourhood concept, where all daily needs can be covered within the distance of a 20 minute walk. 

By 2030 Edinburgh will see the mass transit network extended and operational, P+R facilities modernised, cycling highways along the main traffic arteries, an almost car-free city centre, as well as a sustainable city logistics system in place too.

Transport and Environment Convener Councillor Lesley Macinnes commented the new city mobility plan saying: “The finalised City Mobility Plan recognises the need to revolutionise the way we move around the Capital if we are to tackle the host of challenges we face, both locally and on a global scale. Transport is the biggest generator of carbon emissions in Edinburgh and our commitment to be net zero carbon by 2030 depends on a step-change in the way we travel, a change which would also significantly impact on air quality, congestion and road safety.”

Please find the city mobility plan of Edinburgh here.

Article published first at The Edinburgh Reporter on 12th of February 2021.