Edinburgh streets: Safe routes campaigners back Fountainbridge active travel scheme and call critics 'NIMBYs'

The scheme aims to create an attractive alternative route for cyclists who currently use the increasingly congested Union Canal towpath.

But the proposals - for a continuous cycleway on both sides of the road on Dundee Street and Fountainbridge from Ardmillan Place in the west to Ponton Street in the east, with associated improvements along the way - include floating bus stops, where passengers must cross a cycleway to get on or off a bus.

The junction with Gardner's Crescent | Edinburgh council

And walking campaign group Living Streets Edinburgh says pavement widths are reduced in at least 12 locations, with many left below the minimum recognised in both local and national guidance.

Living Streets Edinburgh said it did not support the plans because the proposed cycleway was being created at the expense of pedestrians.

But now Blackford Safe Routes - which tags itself "the campaign for safe routes to school in Edinburgh" - has taken issue with Living Streets, describing the scheme as "an excellent and much needed project".

And the Blackford group said: "Despite what certain local ‘walking campaign’ groups may claim, pavement widths are not meaningfully reduced anywhere, and like all NIMBY organisations, they offer no viable alternatives.”

It also includes the use of floating bus stops in a list of “Things to like” about the project, saying they are “proven, effective, safe, and successfully in use in many cities in the UK and beyond”.

The group’s response to the council’s consultation on the proposals said: “The scheme provides suitable, convenient, and safe infrastructure, enabling increasing numbers of people to choose to walk, wheel and cycle – with associated physical and mental health benefits, reducing the burden on the health services, as well as making people happier.”

But it also highlighted aspects of the plans it claimed could be improved.

“The signalised junction at Gardeners Crescent and Fountainbridge gives little priority to walkers and cyclists, and accordingly there will be long wait times. Genuine priority to active modes would be given if a Dutch-style roundabout were implemented, with cycle- and zebra-crossings around the outside, and motor traffic giving way at the crossings.

“The ‘semi’ low-traffic neighbourhoods for the Harrison park, Dundee Terrace and the Brysons area should be strengthened to remove through-traffic from Dundee Terrace, West Bryson Rd, and Harrison Rd. This would have the benefit of removing the need for expensive, over-engineered, segregated cycleway at the junction of Harrison Gardens and Harrison Road.”

It called for the bidirectional cycleway outside Telfer subway to be extended along the length of the Fountainpark complex.

And it offered a list of more detailed improvements at specific locations and urged more street trees, greenery and benches.

The public consultation ended on Monday, January 12. The city council has said the scheme will “create safer, more attractive streets for everyone”.

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