Edinburgh
Scotland’s capital is one of the nation’s key economic drivers. Already one of the most sustainable cities in the UK, Edinburgh aims to lead the most successful and sustainable city region in Northern Europe by 2015 – offering residents an unparalleled quality of life and attracting talent from around the globe – and is working to become carbon neutral by 2050.
A strategic project that involves stakeholders in the private and academic sectors is currently underway to regenerate Edinburgh’s four development zones. The transformation will include a block-by-block redevelopment of the iconic city centre and the £600million BioQuarter project, set to create as many as 6,500 new jobs in the fast-growing life sciences sector.
The population of Edinburgh has grown by more than 21,000 over the past decade to reach 471,650 and is projected to rise by a further 40,000 by 2020 – demographic changes that have been underpinned by strong economic performance. Over 38,000 new jobs have been created since 1999 and Edinburgh’s GVA growth has significantly outperformed the national average.
As a European business hub and global tourist destination, Edinburgh needs world-class connectivity to ensure it continues to attract investors, workers and visitors. Improved rail links with London will continue to enhance the city’s competitiveness by reducing intercity journey times and provide a more sustainable means of travel between the two capitals, helping the city to meet its ambitious carbon-reduction targets.
“For us, the priority must be a London HSR link to Scotland – and one that assists sustainable economic growth through competitive ticket pricing.
“Further, it is important that any work on the Scottish section of the network is undertaken in parallel with that in the South.”
Cllr Gordon Mackenzie, Edinburgh’s Transport Convener