A full design for the project has now been approved by the City of Edinburgh Council’s transport and environment committee, completing the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) stage 4 technical design.

The wider project was included to proceed under the City Mobility Plan Prioritisation programme in May 2025, following a rigorous assessment of feasibility.

The full design will contain the following features:

• plans for natural stone material throughout (including yorkstone slabs on the footway, re-laid traditional setts in the parking areas, whinstone kerbs and setts on the carriageway);
• dwell zones with incorporated raised planters and seating;
• eight trees (four at the Charlotte Square end, four at the St Andrew Square end) along with low-level planting within a sustainable urban drainage system (SuDs), linking to the existing drainage system; and
• a full suite of hostile vehicle measures (HVM) at all junctions and associated utility diversions.

Under the current timeline, construction is due to begin in autumn 2027 and take approximately two years with a further one year defect period.   

The appropriate road orders will now be implemented before moving on to final budget confirmation and ultimately to RIBA stage 4B (tender) and securing of statutory consents. Final approval will then be sought to proceed to RIBA stage 5 (construction).

Councillor Stephen Jenkinson, the council’s transport and environment convener, said: “I’m really pleased that we’ve taken the decision today to move forward with the George Street and First New Town project. 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.

“Whilst we’re committed to this important project, we’re also committed to making broader improvements across the city for the benefit of all our residents.”