Forth Ports' rival unveils Leith Docks proposal

Published on Monday 18 February 2008 09:53

THE group behind a rival bid for the redevelopment of Leith Docks has outlined detailed proposals for the area.

Co-ordinated by Leith-based Art in Architecture (AiA), experts including city arts impresario Richard De Marco and top London architect Peter Barber have set out a radically alternative blueprint from that proposed by Forth Ports, which currently has an application before the council.

Proposals by the group behind the rival bid, which is named Jump, include a 5km road and rail bridge between Leith and Fife to improve transport links to the area. Jump – under the stewardship of AiA partner Ross McEwan – also wants to dry out 70 per cent of the docks and reuse them as forest, parkland and a cultural resource.

A new ferry port, a car-free zone and a network of canals connecting to the sea would also be included in the scheme.

Mr McEwan said: "Leith is one of my favourite places in the world and what happens there will be there for hundreds of years.

"We have to get it right and that means getting as many views and experts round the table as possible."

He added: "As it stands, Leith will become a dormitory, but we want it to add to what is already the most cultural city in the world."