Edinburgh becomes first UK city to close streets in bid to tackle air pollution

Streets in the centre of Edinburgh will close for the first Sunday of every month in an 18 month trial.

Pedestrians walk along Princes Street, the main shopping street in Edinburgh. Suzanne Plunkett / Reuters

Scotland's capital Edinburgh has closed its city centre streets to tackle air pollution, becoming the first city in the UK to do so.

In a new initiative, streets in the centre of Edinburgh will not be accesible to cars for the first Sunday of every month in an 18 month trial.

Cycle hire will also be free this week to encourage people to forego cars and other polluting vehicles.

"We've seen how successful similar schemes internationally have proved by encouraging active travel, improving air quality and creating a safer, more relaxed atmosphere so I can't wait to see this take shape in the capital" said Lesley Macinnes, City of Edinburgh Councils's transport and environment convener.

"Climate change is a real threat to society, it's clear that we have to act, and Open Streets is undoubtedly a step in the right direction."

Streets and roads that will be closed every month are located near the Scottish Assembly.

Climate change has been thrust to the mainstream in recent weeks after protesters shut down roads in London calling for Britain's government to take greater action.

UK government advisers have warned that the country must immediately set a legally binding target to cut greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050, triggering a change that is both desirable and economically viable.

It has decarbonised faster than any other major economy, cutting carbon dioxide emissions by 3.3 per cent each year since 2006, more than three times the rate of supposed environmental champion, coal-addicted Germany.