Proposals to refurbish and reopen a famous "LGBTQ+ community landmark" bridge in a Scottish city have been brought forward.
The plans include a new bridge deck and an amphitheatre outdoor seating space.
The proposals include drawings by Mott MacDonald for City of Edinburgh Council and a Leith Connections engagement report for the structure.
The bridge, at the junction of North Fort Street and Lindsay Road in Newhaven, was constructed in 18th century and originally carried cars over the North Leith branch of the Caledonian Railway but was closed to vehicles in 1998 and until recently was used as a link for walking, wheeling and cycling.
The Leith Connections report states: “The southern end of the bridge was in recent years used as an outdoor seating area/community space.
“Furthermore, a community-backed project painted the bridge in rainbow colours in August/September 2021, which led to the bridge being referred to locally as the ‘Pride’ or ‘Rainbow’ bridge.
“The bridge has been closed to all users in November 2021 due to its poor condition.
“Given the close proximity to the Leith Connections Hawthornvale to Seafield route this phase of the project aims to construct a new bridge deck and make other improvements, which will provide a well-lit, direct route for active travel users and allow continued use as a community space.”
The report continued: “This design is being funded by Sustrans Places for Everyone Fund and is expected to be completed by the end of 2024.
“Once the design is finalised, an application for construction funding will be made to Transport Scotland.
“The Transport and Environmental Committee identified three main aims, which the proposals aim to address: re-establish a direct, safe and segregated active travel route for commuters, local residents and businesses; restore a well-used community space; and reinstate an important LGBTQ+ landmark.”
The proposal is to reduce the bridge from three sections to one, filling in the underneath section nearest the Dreadnought Pub and spanning in a single jump from the existing south pier to the existing north end of the bridge.
The proposal also includes removing a stone pier, which blocks sightlines through the park area under the bridge and reduces the usable space under the bridge. Paved surfacing will also be introduced to make this area more attractive and practical to use. These improvements will open the greenspace below the bridge to more leisure users, including those who are wheeling and those who want somewhere to sit.
Regeneration project of bridge aims to undertake a full deck replacement of the existing ‘Pride Bridge’ which is a local LGBTQ+ community landmark”.
The report added: “Whilst the works to the bridge, parapets and surrounding carriageway come under permitted development, the associated enhancements to the surrounding urban realm are subject to this planning permission application including amphitheatre, paved surfacing areas, seating areas, and planting.”
Public consultation launched on Edinburgh 'tourist tax'
A new public consultation has been launched by City of Edinburgh Council to get local views on a potential tourist tax in the region.
Residents, business, and visitors are being invited to have their say on the final plans to raise upwards of £100 million by 2030 from tourism to support the capital.
Under the plans for the tourist tax, which is being dubbed the visitor levy scheme by the local authority, a charge of five per cent will be imposed on overnight stays for a maximum of seven nights.
City centre venue to close in December amid financial troubles
A Glasgow arts venue is to close in December as it navigates 'unprecedented' financial uncertainty.
The Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA) said challenges caused by the pandemic and fires at the Glasgow School of Art had taken their toll on the business and in recent weeks it had learned that its financial position "is no longer viable".
The CCA venue on Sauchiehall Street, which was originally set up as the Third Eye Centre, is home to a number of cultural tenants. It will be closed from December to March 2025 "to focus on restructuring and ensuring financial recovery".
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