Open Streets, Edinburgh

That the Parliament congratulates Edinburgh on becoming the first UK city to initiate traffic-free days as part of the Open Streets movement, joining other worldwide cities including Paris, Bogotá and New York; commends the city’s forward-thinking approach to temporarily ban vehicular traffic from key streets to reduce air pollution and increase the quality of life for residents and visitors by enhancing mobility and bringing people together in public spaces; understands that this scheme will run on the first Sunday of every month for an 18-month trial in key areas, including Cockburn Street, Victoria Street and the Royal Mile; welcomes this initiative, which promotes the city as a healthy, active and inclusive place to visit, and encourages other Scottish cities to follow Edinburgh’s example.