Spaces for People is not all bad, apparently - John McLellan

It’s no secret that much of what drives Edinburgh Council is behaviour change. Not its own, of course, but that of everyone else, as the administration decides how the rest of us should live our lives.

The Spaces For People project in Edinburgh has proved controversial. Picture: Lisa Ferguson/JPIMedia

The Spaces for People scheme to reduce road space and cut car use continues to define the disconnect between the city and its council, with a new petition in support of “no implementation without consultation” attracting over 4,000 signatures in three days, compared to the 2,267 for the budget engagement.

That report mentions the controversial roll-out, but is strangely vague on the level of objections, given how specific it is on other topics, only saying residents’ views “were divided”. But if there was wild enthusiasm it’s a fair guess we’d have heard about it.

“There was praise for the general direction of the policy,” it said euphemistically, but “residents were critical of the introduction of the scheme in some areas without consultation, they felt there was no guidance given on how to use it, and it was noted that some temporary measures were replaced with others which seemed to waste resources”.

But even when plans have been longer in the preparation there are problems. The ugly closure of Whitehouse Loan in Bruntsfield, for example, has generated complaints with claims an already bad situation on surrounding streets has worsened.

It’s not all bad, apparently, and whole streets have been resurfaced thanks to Spaces for People, or so we’re assured. 4,000 people might beg to differ.

John McLellan is councillor (Scottish Conservatives) for Ward 14 (Craigentinny/Duddingston)