Planter plonked in the middle of road junction by Edinburgh City Council

A resident of the nearby Baberton Mains Drive has said an “accident is waiting to happen” after Edinburgh City Council plonked a planter in the middle of a road junction.
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The resident who wishes to remain anonymous was flabbergasted when they discovered the wooden box filled with soil apparently abandoned in the middle of the street.

They say that they support initiatives that make travelling to and from school safer for those concerned but that this measure does not appear to have been thought through.

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Several photographs have been shared with the Evening News showing the planter which appears to have no signage to inform on the intended use and other photographs that show a lorry struggling to access the road.

It is understood that motor vehicle access will be limited to residents, blue badge holders, school staff, deliveries, waste collection and emergency services.

However, the concerned resident said that they do not believe that an ambulance or fire engine would be able to access the road safely.

They said: “I witnessed a large lorry have several attempts to access the road before they had no choice but to mount the kerb. It is not far fetched to think that emergency services vehicles would struggle to gain access as well.

Planter that's been plonked.Planter that's been plonked.
Planter that's been plonked.
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“The planter also blocks drivers' ability to see small children who may be crossing the road from an adjacent lane that leads to the centre of Baberton. A young child who is shorter than the planter could end up being struck.

“As residents we support initiatives that encourage active travel and also understand that several incidents have occurred outside of the school with regards to road use. But this is just a box in the middle of a junction. I do not see how it achieves its aims of making the road safer.”

Councillor Susan Webber Pentland Hills ward and Conservative group spokesperson for transport said: “The aim of the scheme to make accessing Juniper Green primary school easier for those concerned is commendable but I do despair when you see the supposed practical solutions presented.

“The road in question has had issues with congestion and people parking on double yellows. However the proposed solution is just another example of something that looks simple on paper, though when it comes to implementation it is anything but.

Lorry trying to navigate the planterLorry trying to navigate the planter
Lorry trying to navigate the planter
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“This is also a partially implemented scheme with no signage being placed on the planter to indicate why it is there or to increase visibility for evenings.

“I reiterate that we should commend efforts to make travelling to school safer in Edinburgh but the solutions offered must be practical for residents and those attending the school.”

A council spokesperson said: “By restricting access at the junction of Baberton Mains Wynd and Baberton Mains Bank to only allow pedestrians and cyclists we’re creating a safer route for children, families and carers travelling to Juniper Green Primary School as part of the Spaces for People programme.

“There is still motor vehicle access for residents, blue badge holders, school staff, deliveries, waste collection and emergency services, though the planter is in place to limit access. We notify the emergency services when we implement every Spaces for People scheme and they didn’t raise concerns around these measures.”

The planter on the junction of Baberton Mains DriveThe planter on the junction of Baberton Mains Drive
The planter on the junction of Baberton Mains Drive

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