Plans to pedestrianise large parts of capita

LARGE parts of Edinburgh city centre are likely to be given over to pedestrians in the next two years as part of efforts to boost the heart of the capital in the run-up to the tram system starting.

Sections of the Royal Mile, George Street and Chambers Street are set to be transformed under radical efforts to make the city more people-friendly.

Planning leader Ian Perry has pledged the council will be much “bolder” than in recent years following criticism by the Danish design guru Jan Gehl said that his recommendations for the city had not been acted on.

He said the time to make changes was before the trams start running.

New traffic curbs are expected to be explored for the likes of Cockburn Street and Victoria Street.