Construction Begins on West Edinburgh Link: Major Active Travel Project Transforms Cycling and Walking

Published on December 6, 2025

Edinburgh has taken a decisive step toward its vision of becoming a net-zero city by 2030 with the commencement of construction on the West Edinburgh Link (WEL). This major active travel project, undertaken by contractor Balfour Beatty, is set to transform the cycling, walking, and accessibility infrastructure across one of Scotland’s key economic hubs, better connecting residential areas to employment, education, and leisure facilities.

The WEL project is a crucial component of the city’s ambitious City Mobility Plan, prioritizing sustainable and healthy travel options over reliance on private cars. The initial phase of construction is already underway and is expected to continue until Summer 2026.

The Vision: Connecting Communities and Commerce

The West Edinburgh Link aims to create high-quality, safe, and direct active travel routes within and around the large business districts of South Gyle and Edinburgh Park. These areas are major employment centres for the region, and the new links are designed to make cycling and walking the natural choice for everyday commuting.

The project encompasses a wide geographic area, delivering improvements within Glasgow Road, South Gyle, Bankhead, Sighthill, Wester Hailes, and Clovenstone.

Key Improvements in Phase One

The initial construction phase is focused on implementing essential links that upgrade existing corridors and introduce dedicated, safe spaces for cyclists and pedestrians:

• Segregated Cycleways: New, protected cycleways are being built on key roads, specifically South Gyle Access and Bankhead Avenue, separating cyclists from motor traffic to enhance safety and comfort.
• Path Revitalisation: The Torwood Path will see significant improvements, including widening, resurfacing, and improved lighting, transforming it into a more inviting and accessible route for pedestrians and cyclists alike.
• Access to Education: The project is designed to improve access to essential amenities, including better links to Edinburgh College at Sighthill.
• Network Integration: Crucially, the WEL will connect to Edinburgh’s wider active travel network, linking directly to routes like Quiet Route 8, the Union Canal, and the Water of Leith Path, providing continuous, off-road access toward the city centre.

Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Stephen Jenkinson, emphasised that the project is about more than just transport. “Properly connecting our communities and encouraging our residents to travel in more sustainable and healthy ways remain key priorities for us,” he said.

The Bigger Picture: Edinburgh’s Active Travel Network

The West Edinburgh Link is one of several ambitious active travel projects underway in the city, signaling a comprehensive commitment to transforming the travel landscape under the City Mobility Plan. Other projects include the recently completed City Centre West to East Link (CCWEL), which connects Roseburn to Leith Walk via the city center, and the ongoing Meadows to George Street scheme.

The WEL project itself was awarded funding as part of the Places for Everyone program (formerly Community Links PLUS), a Scottish Government-funded initiative delivered by Sustrans Scotland aimed at creating safer, more attractive places by increasing everyday trips made by walking and cycling.

This initiative highlights a concerted effort to shift the city’s transport paradigm, moving away from past policies that focused on building new roads to accommodate rising car use, and focusing instead on building a cleaner, healthier, and more accessible future for all of West Edinburgh.

Beyond the Tarmac: An Investment in Everyday Well-being

The true conclusion of the WEL is not just the laying of the final asphalt strip in 2026, but the human stories it will enable. It’s the parent who can now confidently cycle with their child to school along the segregated path on Bankhead Avenue, knowing they are protected from traffic. It’s the student at Edinburgh College who saves money and improves their health by walking or cycling the newly lit and widened Torwood Path, rather than relying on a bus for a short journey. And it’s the worker in Edinburgh Park who begins their day energized, having chosen an active commute over the stress of traffic congestion.

By providing safe, high-quality, and direct routes, the city is removing the friction that currently prevents many residents from making sustainable choices. The WEL, linking residential areas to major employment and retail hubs, bridges the gap between intention and action, making active travel not just an option, but the most convenient choice.