Nicola Sturgeon listens to the public so why can't SNP-led Edinburgh Council coalition? – Helen Martin

The Evening News letter and social media comments page is a nice little assessment of local, public opinions.

Edinburgh's SNP-led coalition should take a leaf out of Nicola Sturgeon's book, says Helen Martin (Picture: Andrew Milligan/pool/AFP via Getty Images)

And I reckon there have been about half a dozen pages of social media responses against Edinburgh’s Spaces for People system.

Many approve of the general principles, but not how badly it has been organised, which has made the idea of making the changes permanent even less popular.

Installing a cycle lane in the middle of the road or at bus stops with passengers at risk, narrowing roads with islands which tighten space and increase accidents, causing problems specifically for those in wheelchairs, and banning traffic from wide roads where there are no problems and causing unnecessary congestion in another road… just a few of the complaints.

It’s difficult for many to deal with these peculiarities, especially if it’s on a road someone isn’t familiar with. The “spacing” plan is so varied there are no standard rules. It’s chaotic and dangerous. The New Town Community Council and the taxi teams are clear about that.

The council doesn’t want to listen to all this or accept their failures. There’s just one little point I’d make to the council coalition, especially the SNP.

Nicola Sturgeon and the government had cross-party discussions and decided to “renew” the city’s Eye Pavilion rather than shut it down because campaigners highlighted the problems for patients.

Her government made changes to last year’s alternatives to exams because of complaints. She considers public opinion, can accept mistakes and correct them.

But it seems the SNP-led council just sticks to its guns.

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