(Image: PA)
Edinburgh councillors could stage a ‘car-free day’ to coincide with the Grand Départ of the Tour de France under a Scottish Greens proposal.
A motion by Green councillor Lorenzo Martinico calls on officers to introduce a vehicle-free festival around the time of the race in July 2027.
George Street was notably closed to traffic for a ‘Car-Free Festival’ in September 2023, an event which drew 18,500 people to the New Town thoroughfare and "illustrated the ‘life quality’ benefits of car-free streets”.
The event also ran in 2002, while a car-free festival was also held on Waverley Bridge in 2022.
Councillor Martinico said that City of Edinburgh Council should bring back the festival next summer.
The Scottish Greens' newest councillor Lorenzo Martinico. (Image: NQ)
"More than 400 cities across the world celebrate World Car-Free Day, to great effect,” he explained.
“In Brussels, for example, Car-Free Day cuts nitrogen dioxide pollution by 80% and noise by 99%.”
The Portobello councillor has also asked officers if the council continues to support local car-free events via the Playing Out scheme.
The scheme, piloted in 2018, allows communities to request “localised street closures” for play events and other celebrations.
“Edinburgh is stuck in a prisoner’s dilemma,” he added.
“People can’t give up their cars because there aren’t enough buses and cycling doesn’t feel safe, yet it’s the sheer number of cars that makes our streets feel unsafe and slows everyone down, buses included.”
“A Car Free Day is an opportunity to temporarily create a better Edinburgh of the future, where the dangers and frustration of traffic are no longer an issue.
“Without bulky cars, our streets can be places for children to play, for neighbours to share a meal, and maybe one day to grow some food.
“It's time that Edinburgh gave World Car-Free Day a serious chance.”
Councillor Martinico’s proposal, which will be considered at the next full council meeting on October 29, comes as the official route for the opening stage of the Tour de France has been revealed.
The race, which will begin at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, will continue onto the Royal Mile before turning onto Princes Street via North Bridge.
It will then take riders along The Mound to Lawnmarket and the Castle Esplanade before continuing via Johnston Terrace, Castle Terrace, Lady Lawson Street, Grassmarket and Victoria Street.
At George IV Bridge, riders will turn onto Chambers Street and South Bridge followed by Newington Road, Cameron Toll, Liberton Road and Gilmerton Road.
Riders will then travel south through Midlothian and the Scottish Borders, before heading west through Dumfries and Galloway and onto Carlisle.
The Edinburgh leg of the Tour De France. (Image: Forever Edinburgh)
Speaking from the official route reveal in Paris, council leader Jane Meagher said hosting the Grand Départ next summer will be a “huge moment for Edinburgh”.
The Labour councillor added: “Our city has built a strong reputation for delivering major international events, and the Tour de France gives us another incredible opportunity to show the world what makes Edinburgh such a special place.
“We want people across our communities to feel part of the occasion and to benefit from the opportunities it brings.
“From celebrating our city on the international stage to inspiring more people to get on their bikes, I’m confident the legacy of the Tour will go well beyond the opening day.”
Read more:
- 'A tremendous honour': Scotland to welcome Tour de France in 2027
- 'Total cost' of Tour de France in Edinburgh revealed — but true bill still unclear
- Edinburgh warned Tour de France disruption will be similar to Queen's death
The expected disruption to the city centre has been compared to that following the death of Queen Elizabeth.
“We are looking at a late-morning ceremonial departure from Edinburgh around a city centre loop,” the council’s senior cultural partnerships manager David Waddell explained earlier this year.
“It will be a chance to move the Tour de France around some of the big hit sites around the city centre for those photographs and TV shots.”
This week, it was revealed that Edinburgh Castle will host the official opening ceremony of the Tour on June 30, 2027, two days before riders depart.
Tickets for the opening ceremony open for purchase on October 30 and start at £27.