http://www.broughtonspurtle.org.uk/...files/backissues/Spurtle 271 Final Hi Res.pdf
A Green Party motion prioritising development of the Powderhall railway line as a footpath/cycleway drew unanimous support from the North East Localities Committee on 19 February.
The route is already safeguarded under the Edinburgh Local Development Plan, but this new move aims to give the proposal extra impetus.
Officers said scheduling work was impossible for now as talks with Network Rail have not yet established the likely extent/cost of repairs (especially to bridges or embankments) or other liabilities or indeed the length of line to be released. (The current best guess is from Powderhall to the Lochend Butterfly.)
Cllr Susan Rae (Ward 12) sees potential for the route to include public art impelled by the area’s ‘bucketloads’ of ‘imagination, drive … ambition and intelligence’. Vice Convener Amy Mcneese-Mechan (Ward 12) said she is ‘1,000% behind the plan’.
Sustrans may now be approached to fund a feasibility study, and progress will be reported in the NEL Committee’s business bulletin in 6 months’ time. The Transport & Environment and Finance & Resources Committees will be kept informed.