Edinburgh tourist tax to fund long-awaited revamp of George Street
The long-awaited revamp of Edinburgh's George Street is set to go ahead, funded from borrowing financed by the tourist tax.
The plan will be debated at next week’s transport committee and, if supported there, will go to the full council for approval at its budget-setting meeting next month.
Transport and environment convener Stephen Jenkinson said the new Visitor Levy - which will come into effect in July - opened up new opportunities to deliver key projects.
And he described George Street as "one of the crown jewels of Edinburgh" and an economic driver not just for Edinburgh but for Scotland.
He said: "We've been debating George Street for over a decade and it's time to be bold. We've got an opportunity in a way we haven't had before to deliver the project and I think it's a great chance to transform George Street. It is an investment in the future of Edinburgh."
Other projects proposed to be funded by the Visitor Levy include new and upgraded public toilets; improved litter bins; increased graffiti removal; additional street cleaning; footway improvements; accelerated renewal of setted streets; upgrading the car park at Cramond foreshore; and developing a masterplan for Portobello prom.
The £31.75 million project to turn George Street into a pedestrian and cycle-friendly zone is due to see the current parking down the centre of the street removed, the central carriageway turned into a “cycle street” and general traffic banned between 10.30am and 7pm, Monday to Saturday, and between 12.30pm and 7pm on Sundays.
The plans also include trees at either end of the street, raised planters, upmarket benches and anti-terrorism barriers at all junctions.
There would also be widening of the footways in Frederick Street and Hanover Street and the renewal of setts in Frederick Street.
The current timetable is for construction to start after the Festival in August 2027, with a completion date of August or September 2030.
Cllr Jenkinson said: “This street is one of the crown jewels of Edinburgh, it's a World Heritage Site, and I've always been confident that if we're going to do something we should do it right.
"It's a big investment, but ultimately what we're talking about is the premier leisure/retail street in Scotland's capital city and a real economic driver for growth not only in Edinburgh but in Scotland's economy as well.
"We've spent endless committees discussing how it could look, but the big question has always been 'How are you funding it?' Now we have the answer. The Visitor Levy unlocks the mechanism to find the delivery of George Street."
A report to the transport committee notes that the independent Edinburgh Visitor Levy Advisory Forum (EVLAF) “were supportive of Visitor Levy funding being utilised to fund a specific aspect of the George Street project e.g. public realm, planting”. But it added: “They were, however, opposed to the Visitor Levy funding the George Street project in its entirety.”
Cllr Jenkinson said he welcomed the forum’s feedback. “It’s an important check and balance in the system, but ultimately it’s for the committee to make the decision. We’ve got a significant public realm project we’re looking to deliver and I feel the Visitor Levy is the most appropriate way of unlocking the finance to achieve that.”
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