Work on the first section of a new 16.8km (10.4-mile) waterfront promenade in Edinburgh is set to get underway in January between Silverknowes and Granton.

A timetable has now been drawn up for the 30-year scheme, which will eventually link Cramond with Joppa. The City of Edinburgh Council (CEC) has already earmarked £210,000 this financial year to enable work to start on the first 1km (0.62-mile) stage. Project manager, Steve McGavin, told Leisure Opportunities that the project would create "a continuous transport corridor" as well as 20 destination points offering individual places to visit in their own right, with leisure, tourism and retail facilities. More detailed plans for what may be included at the destination points are expected early next year.

CEC's planning and economic development committees revealed in October that £250,000 will need to be invested each year from March 2009 to deliver the first phase of the project within the next four years. By 2012, it is hoped that the promenade will have taken shape between Cramond and Granton in the west, and between Joppa and the east of Seafield. Approximately 11.6km (7.21 miles) of the planned promenade already exists, with the remainder yet to be built. The total cost of the project will be spread out over the 30-year construction period, with around 40 per cent to be met by developers.

It is expected that the first section of the promenade, between Silverknowes and Granton, will be complete by March.