Edinburgh transport convener admits overstating the case in row over Spaces for People schemes

Transport convener Lesley Macinnes has admitted she overstated the extent of road resurfacing involved in the controversial Spaces for People programme when she claimed many schemes included "entire streets" being renewed.
George IV Bridge is one of the few streets to be resurfaced as part of Spaces for People schemesGeorge IV Bridge is one of the few streets to be resurfaced as part of Spaces for People schemes
George IV Bridge is one of the few streets to be resurfaced as part of Spaces for People schemes

She made the comment as she tried to defend the programme against a petition to halt plans for some of the traffic measures to be made permanent.

The petition, objecting to a "fast-track" consultation on whether the road closures, cycle lanes and other changes should stay, attracted more than 4,500 signatures in just three days. It also claims the Spaces for People schemes have created more congestion, damaged businesses, and diverted attention from gritting and pothole repairs.

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In response Cllr Macinnes insisted the move to make some schemes permanent was "by no means a done deal".

And on Monday February 15, she told the Evening News: “The criticism that this project has diverted resources from gritting and pothole repairs is utterly baseless – in fact, many of these interventions have resulted in the resurfacing of entire streets."

One resident got in touch with her to ask where they were and Cllr Macinnes replied: "George IV Bridge and The Mound are two major examples."

The resident responded, telling her only the Forrest Road to The Mound scheme – which includes George IV Bridge – was listed as involving road resurfacing. "I can find no other mention of resurfacing in the 100 or so schemes."

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Colinton/Fairmilehead Tory councillor Jason Rust said Cllr Macinnes's claim had caused "a lot of furrowed brows" especially since some of the most controversial schemes, including Lanark Road, Comiston Road, Braid Road "and countless others" had not been resurfaced.

He said Forrest Road, George IV Bridge and The Mound were all part of the one scheme but even if they were counted separately it did not amount to “many” in the context of the Spaces for People programme across the city.

He said: “The city council cannot just make up bold statements without these being evidenced. The idea that many streets impacted by Spaces for People have benefited from resurfacing is simply incorrect. In fact if it is indeed the case that only one scheme from Forrest Road to The Mound has involved resurfacing out of umpteen schemes then the council needs to stop the spin and apologise for giving a completely erroneous and misleading impression of supposed non-existent advantages.”

Cllr Macinnes said: “I want to clarify that many of the Spaces for People schemes will result in significant resurfacing and road patching, improving the environment for all road users. However, it is true that in most situations it is sections or large areas of streets that are resurfaced. We apologise for any confusion caused.”

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The council said streets which had already seen resurfacing were The Mound, George IV Bridge, Forrest Road and Fountainbridge.

And resurfacing was still planned as part of Spaces for People schemes on the south sections of North Bridge as well as Ferry Road, Slateford Road, Lanark Road, Pennywell Road and Duddingston Road.

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