Anyone walking or cycling along the Water of Leith Walkway should notice some big differences following a series of upgrades to the path. The popular green corridor which snakes the 13 miles of the river from the Pentland Hills to the port at Leith, sees an estimated 120,000 people tramping and riding along it each year.
Thanks to project funding of £30,000 from WREN and around £15,000 from Edinburgh City Council, the muddy parts of the Water of Leith Walkway should be less muddy after the rains and those with wheels should find the going a little smoother.
Councillor Robert Aldridge, Environmental Leader, said: “We have been successfully working in partnership with WREN to bring some of the best community facilities to Edinburgh. Not only will these latest improvements benefit local people but they will bring huge benefits for the larger wider community who use the walkway to cycle to and from work."
Caroline Sanderson, Grant Manager from WREN, added: “It is a great project and we hope everyone using the walkway will be as pleased as we are with the improvements.
Water of Leith Walkway upgrades
Significant improvements have been made to the walkway between Roseburn Cliff and Dean Village.
The section of path at Dean Village, between the Belford Steps and the Dean Path Steps has also been re-surfaced. Roseburn Cliff Steps have also been resurfaced.
Cobbles have been replaced and a new cycle ramp has been installed to the side of the steps.
New drainage has also been installed on the section of path which runs from Wester Coates to Magdala Steps and the path has also been re-surfaced.
Timber has been replaced and steps have been re-surfaced on cycleway steps which link the Water of Leith Walkway to North Edinburgh Cycleway.
And a concrete cycle ramp has also been installed to the side of the steps allowing cyclists to push their bike up or down the steps rather than carrying it.
Belford Steps is a well used route, particularly by tourists travelling to and from the National Galleries.
Now, timber risers have been replaced, the steps have been re-surfaced and a new handrail installed on the lower section of the steps.
Dean Path Steps have also been fully renovated with a new set of steps, consisting of timber risers and new handrails.
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