St James Quarter

CONNECTIONS

The St James Quarter is ideally placed to take advantage of the close proximity of existing public transport and the future benefits promised by the forthcoming tram network.

The new development will be integrated with the trams via stops at Picardy Place and St Andrew Square, whilst the needs of pedestrians, car drivers and cyclists will also be catered for through greater access, cycle parks, and underground parking and servicing.

Key improvements to infrastructure and connections in the St James Quarter include:

• A new east-west route through the site from Little King Street towards St Andrew Square
• A new north-south connection between Princes Street and Elder Street/Multrees Walk
• Existing car park replaced by a secure underground purpose built facility
• Improved pedestrian routes linking attractive public spaces and key transport nodes including the new tram stops at St Andrew Square and Picardy Place, Waverley Station and Edinburgh Bus Station
• Safe and secure cycle parking for visitors, staff and residents
• Accessibility for all users
• Provision of City Car Club spaces

Henderson Global Investors is committed to improving the quality and provision of parking at the St James Quarter.

The availability of car parking in Edinburgh’s city centre is low and the existing car park at the St James Centre and John Lewis is full during peak periods. In order to cater for the expanded retail offer at the St James Quarter, a modern 1,800-space underground car park is planned to replace the current multi-storey.

Improving the quality and quantity of parking will also provide an opportunity to reallocate existing public on-street provision, reduce congestion and enhance parking for residents, trades people and businesses. It is proposed that two-way access to the car park is provided from Elder Street and Leith Street.

Almost half of the three million visitors per year currently enter or exit the St James Centre from Leith Street/Princes Street. Henderson Global Investors, the owner of the St James Centre, proposes two principal pedestrian links through the site:

• Enhancement of the existing link via Elder Street/Multrees Walk
• Creation of a new east-west link from Picardy Place via Little King Street and through the site to St James Square

The St James Quarter is well located to encourage travel by bicycle. More than 400 secure cycle spaces have been allocated for staff, residents and visitors.

The St James site is in a highly accessible location, close to a range of public transport facilities such as Edinburgh Bus Station, Waverley Station and the trams.

It is estimated there will be around 16 trams per hour in each direction at both St Andrew Square and Picardy Place tram stops.

Almost 4,000 people are expected to board or alight from trams at the two stops over a two-hour period at peak times.