Edinburgh protesters repeatedly block street after 80-year-old woman struck by a car

Around 30 demonstrators gathered at the junction of Ashley Terrace and Harrison Gardens on Wednesday night.

And they said the council had promised to take action almost three years ago – but nothing had been done.

The protest was sparked by an incident which saw an 80 year old woman was struck by a black BMW and sent to hospital Monday last week.

The Edinburgh protest was set up after a local resident was struck by a car on Ashley Terrace at around 12.30pm on Monday, April 28 | Joe Sullivan

Protesters crossed into Ashley Terrace and stood still, blocking traffic in both directions. They also crossed the street at the junction every few minutes while carrying signs, some of which read “pedestrian safety now” and “road safety now”.

In June 2022, Edinburgh Council officials presented a local primary school’s parents group with plans to narrow the roadway at the junction after over a decade of pleas, with hopes it would make the crossing safer.

But almost three years on, the council has not yet applied for a traffic regulation order, which would allow them to start the process of modifying the crossing and narrowing the roadway.

Dr Johanna Jokio, one of the protest’s organisers, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “We want the council to build a proper crossing here, they’ve been promising one for years.

“Last month, a car hit one of our neighbours. The council says they have a ‘city mobility plan’. We want to see people put first, and car traffic reduced.”

Jokio, 34, worked with campaign group Living Streets Edinburgh to organise the protest, of which she is also a member.

Ashley Terrace’s junction with Harrison Gardens hosts the last crossing of the road before it reaches the Union Canal, over 300 metres to the south.

The parents’ council at Craiglockhart Primary School, which is located along that stretch, have been advocating for a permanent crossing there for over 15 years.

Dr Johanna Jokio, one of the protest’s organisers | Joe Sullivan

The protesters want to see the council improve the crossing at the junction, and add a new one in front of the primary school.

Green councillor Dan Heap, who represents the Sighthill/Gorgie ward, said: “Everyone has the right to use our streets safely, whether they are pedestrians, car users, bicycle users. But that’s not always the case.

“We’ve been waiting for improvements here for quite a long time, actually, and in other parts of the city.

“The campaigners here are not asking for the world. They’re asking for some decent improvements, they’re asking for some traffic calming measures – but it would make a big difference.

“They’re not asking for the road to be closed. They’re asking for fairly basic safety improvements to the street.

“There’s a lot of young families here, there’s a school just down the road. And hopefully the council can speed up this action, because this is a project that has been very, very delayed.”

Wednesday’s protest comes after the news last month that almost 70% of active travel projects in the capital have been delayed, with some falling behind by over a decade.

Many of these schemes include elements that help to improve safety for pedestrians crossing Edinburgh streets in various ways, such as new signalised crossings or narrower roads that slow down cars.

Councillor Stephen Jenkinson, Transport and Environment Convenor said: “Pedestrian safety across the city is a priority and I fully understand the safety concerns raised by the community in relation to the junction at Ashley Terrace and Harrison Gardens, particularly given the recent road traffic accident which took place there.

“As outlined in the Road Safety Delivery Plan, there are plans in place for two footpath build-outs on Ashley Terrace. Unfortunately, we have experienced some delays due to necessary design revisions and coordination with other services.

“In relation to Ashley Terrace, the installation of a build-out directly in front of the school entrance requires the relocation of a nearby bin hub. This is being progressed through a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) by the Waste team, and we are awaiting further updates from them.”