Meinhardt (UK) Ltd were engaged to deliver transport and mobility elements in support of the proposed redevelopment of the former Scottish Widows Building at 15 Dalkeith Road, Edinburgh. Our team prepared a Transport Scoping Note and Transport Statement for lodgement with City of Edinburgh Council (CEC), including trip generation and swept path analyses, also included were framework travel and construction management plans. Meinhardt engaged with CEC’s Road Safety and Active Travel teams and other stakeholders.

The proposed redevelopment is a significant intervention to the heritage-listed site, proposing to deliver 174 residential units across five blocks and 200,000ft² GFA of office space within the existing iconic building. Key transport and mobility aspirations for the proposal were to:

• Reduce the transport impact of the site compared to its former use
• Take advantage of the high degree of transport accessibility the site benefits from, including bus, cycle, pedestrian, and future tram connectivity
• Encourage the use of sustainable modes of transport by future residents and employees and reduce dependence on private vehicles
• Ensure the development aligns with relevant national, regional and local policy and guidance material
• Target BREEAM Excellent and ActiveScore Platinum certification for the office component

In this respect, the proposal delivers positive transport and mobility outcomes including provision of cycle parking significantly in excess of CEC minimum requirements incorporating a diversity of typologies; new high-quality end-of-trip facilities for the office component; reduced travel demand compared to the site’s former use; low rates of car parking for private vehicles; a high level of pedestrian permeability opening the heritage-listed site up to the public; site improvements to ensure compliance with accessibility standards; and provision of EV infrastructure to all car parking spaces.

The proposed redevelopment was approved by CEC in June 2023.