Polwarth Junction Redesign Proposals 2025

The design options are now available – your input will make a difference!

We welcome CEC’s proposed designs.  The Merchiston and Districts Community Council (MDCC) has long campaigned for a safer intersection at the Polwarth roundabout. The Council have listened to the community and responded to many of the concerns raised in our 2023 Polwarth Roundabout report.  Once implemented (likely in 2026/27), the changes will bring huge improvements for residents and local businesses. 

• MDCC has prepared its own response to the proposed designs, which you can read here. 

Please get involved and give CEC your views.  When City Councillors take final decisions on the designs, they consider community feedback and the overall  level of community support.  Your input will ensure the final decision reflects the community’s views as far as possible. Instructions on how to give input are at the end of this page.

All visuals on this page were prepared for MDCC by Jenny Elliot, a locally-based urban designer and landscape architect, based on CEC technical plans. Please note these are artist’s impressions and the final design may vary.

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What are the new designs?

CEC have produced two options – numbered 1 and 2 on the plans and visuals below.

Options 1 & 2 – Common features

The two options share some very welcome common features, including:

• A ‘T’ junction instead of a roundabout
• Widened pavements
• Tighter junctions at Merchiston Avenue, Polwarth Gardens and Polwarth Crescent
• A new zebra crossing at the south end of Polwarth Crescent
• An enhanced zebra crossing at Polwarth Gardens, which is enlarged and moved slightly east
• Removal of ineffective railings and redundant street furniture
• Two new dedicated disabled parking spaces
• New designated loading bays serving local businesses
• Dropped kerbs
• Bus stop improvements at Polwarth Gardens
• Short-stay cycle parking
• New greenery and seating
• Contraflow cycling on the northern part of Merchiston Avenue

Taken together these features should help moderate traffic speeds; provide a safer environment for disabled people, pedestrians and cyclists; benefit shops and services through increased footfall and a more pleasant retail area; and discourage some of the heavier HGVs from using the cut-through from Dalry to Colinton.  

Options 1 & 2 – The differences

There are key differences between Options 1 & 2, relating to the eastern end of the junction, near Merchiston ave.

Option 1 retains a pedestrian refuge for people crossing at the eastern end of the junction, in front of the pharmacy: this refuge would be wider than the current version, which will better accommodate prams, buggies and wheelchairs and would be slightly repositioned.  Pavements in front of the pharmacy and physiotherapist would be widened. 

Option 2 removes the pedestrian refuge at the eastern end of the junction; pavements on the southern edge would be narrowed to allow for a third loading bay in front of the businesses at no. 6-12 Polwarth Gardens.

Comparison of design option 1 and 2

Additional features to note

Greenery

The current design adds some much-needed greenery to the junction area. The designs incorporate proposals for planters, including one with a seat. These could be a really positive feature if they are properly looked after.  The City Council have made clear it will be up to the community to maintain these planters.  CEC will be glad to know if residents are keen to see green features of this kind in the finished design. Would you be interested in helping to maintain the planters? Please get in touch with MDCC.

Residential cycle hangars

CEC are aware that Polwarth residents have long pressed for secure on-street cycle parking in this area. Although provision of hangars is not part of the junction redesign, CEC encourages residents to contact the team who manage the cycle hangar provision programme and request a hangar by completing a form. You can also contact the team directly at cycle.hangars@edinburgh.gov.uk. 

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