Councillor voices safety fears over narrow Edinburgh bridge cycle lanes plan

A local councillor has raised safety concerns over plans to install cycle lanes under a narrow bridge - and has criticised the council for trying to ‘shoe-horn in’ cycling infrastructure.

Fears: Councillor Johnston

As part of its controversial Spaces for People schemes, Edinburgh City Council is consulting on plans to install segregated cycle lanes along the A70/Slateford Road as part of its overall plan to reduce vehicular transport in the city and tackle climate change.

However, where a rail line crosses the road via bridge, next to Slateford Train Station, the cycle lanes will be downgraded to advisory - requiring cyclists to merge with traffic under the narrow bridge.

Fountainbridge and Craiglockhart councillor Andrew Johnston, Conservatives, says this is unsafe, and has called on the council to extend the consultation period.

Designs are 'carefully considered' says Councillor Macinnes

He said: "I have real safety concerns about these proposals, especially at Slateford Bridge.

“The council has already acknowledged that there is not enough space to put in cycle lanes under the bridge but are still forging ahead with 'advisory lanes'.

“These plans would shoe-horn in changes which simply don't work due to the bridge and will require cyclists to leave a dedicated cycle lane and suddenly merge with traffic in a very narrow space.

“With an original one week window for stakeholder comment, the council has learnt nothing from previous criticisms of the Spaces for People programme.

“A programme of genuine consultation, with adequate time for engagement, is urgently required not only on Slateford Road but across all Spaces for People programmes."

In response, Liberton and Gilmerton councillor, and SNP convener of the transport committee, Lesley Macinnes, said: “Designs for this scheme have been carefully considered by Spaces for People officers to ensure cyclists are protected.

“The alignment of lanes leading to and under the bridge is an improvement to cycle safety compared to the current situation.

“Ultimately, these measures are created to provide a safer environment for people making essential journeys by bike, perhaps as an alternative to bus use while restrictions are in place.

“A full risk assessment will be carried out by designers before implementation and an independent Safety Audit will take place immediately after construction.”

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