Segregated cycle lanes and new public spaces and footpaths could help thousands bike and walk to work and school around one of Scotland's biggest business districts, it is claimed.
City of Edinburgh Council has launched a consultation in which the public are being offered their say on "significant cycling and walking improvements" planned for the west of Edinburgh.
The council said the West Edinburgh Link project is designed to transform cycling and walking to and within one of Scotland’s key business parks, connecting South Gyle and Edinburgh Park, via high quality walking and cycling infrastructure and investment in better public spaces.
Improvements, which include proposals to create more than two miles of segregated cycle tracks, will link with local neighbourhoods to the north and the south such as East Craigs, Sighthill and Wester Hailes, as well as Edinburgh Napier University and Edinburgh College.
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Concept designs created by design consultants AECOM, to be exhibited as part of the consultation, envision a "well-connected, people-friendly environment" and build on responses to initial engagement with people working in the area, when the majority of participants - 88 per cent - said they support cycling and walking improvements. 
Lesley Macinnes, Edinburgh transport and environment convener, said: “We know from initial engagement with people working in the area just how important enhancements to walking, cycling and public spaces are here.
"We’re now excited to share early concept design ideas, which focus on active travel and people-friendly spaces, and to work closely with local communities to shape their development.
"For this reason, I’d encourage as many people as possible to come along to our drop-in events or take part in the consultation online to have their say.”
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Tierney Lovell, Sustrans Scotland infrastructure manager, said: “The West Edinburgh Link promises to make it easier for thousands of people across the west of Edinburgh to make their journeys to work, school, parks or shops by walking, cycling or wheeling.
"We’re thrilled to be working with the City of Edinburgh Council on this, and looking forward to seeing the response to the ideas that we’ve been working on to make journeys in the west of city easier and more attractive.”
A series of drop-in events are being held at the Gyle Shopping Centre, Westside Plaza, and South Gyle Crescent from March 21.
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