Completed road changes in Edinburgh should stay for at least two more months, says council

Changes to Old Dalkeith Road have been recommended by council officials to stay in place for at least two more months

COMPLETED changes to Edinburgh roads implemented under the “Spaces for People programme” should remain in place for at least another two months, Edinburgh City Council officials have recommended.

The Spaces for People programme comprises a series of measures implemented by the council to increase pedestrian and cycling provisions in the city.

In light of the coronavirus crisis and in order to facilitate social distancing, the Scottish government awarded the council £5 million to fund the programme and introduce measures including cycle segregation lanes, widened footpaths and parking bans on various hight streets.

Through use of emergency traffic legislation, the council plan to make significant changes to more than 40 roads across the city.

Usual consultation processes have been abonded and instead “key stakeholders” are given five days to submit feedback on any plans.

Changes made under the Spaces for People programme have been highly controversial, particularly among local business owners who fear parking bans will be detrimental to footfall and revenue.

Meanwhile, keen cyclists and environmentalists have lauded the programme, with many hoping that the changes will eventually be made permanent.

At a meeting on Thursday this week members of the council’s Policy and Sustainability Committee will vote on whether to maintain the following completed Spaces for People measures until November this year, at which point a further review will take place:

Segregated cycle lanes on Old Dalkeith Road.

Segregated cycle lanes on Crewe Road South.

Road closure to create space for exercise on Links Gardens.

Road closure to create space for exercise on Cammo Walk.

Road closure to create space for exercise on Warriston Road.

Road closure to create space for exercise on Stanley Street/ Hope Street.

Bus gate on East Princes Street.

Road closure on Waverley Bridge.

New widened footway and segregated cycleway on George IV Bridge.

Segregated cycleway on Forrest Road.

Road closure on Cockburn Street.

Road closure on Victoria Street.

Segregated cycleway on Bank Street/the Mound.

With the support of at least SNP-Labour administration councillors, and most likely Green Party councillors too, approval to continue these schemes will probably be given.

As further changes to roads are completed they will also be reviewed on a two-monthly basis.

Conservative transport spokesperson, Cllr Susan Webber, said: “I continue to struggle to understand how the SNP-Labour administration can support the continuation of these schemes.

“The public are outraged, and rightly so, at their constructive comments made during the so called consultation being ignored. There can be no doubt now that the SNP-Labour administration are using the emergency Covid-19 legislation to drive through their pro-cycling agenda. The schemes do little to address the challenges ahead of us now and appear to be designed by cyclists for the benefit of only cyclists.

“Those with mobility issues are ignored. I think our only saving grace is that it seems we have reached the £5 million budget. It would have been far better had they focussed on delivery of a smaller number of quality schemes rather than going for quantity. The sheer number developments means that local knowledge and needs have been discounted.

“The questionable quest for quantity over quality is apparent for all to see. Look at some of the schemes in Dublin or London that are referenced in the other report for Thursday and compare and contrast the appearance with what we have in Edinburgh.

Transport and Environment Vice Convenor, Cllr Karen Doran, said: “As was agreed by councillors in May when the Spaces for People programme was first introduced, we are keeping all (Spaces for People measures) under review to ensure they continue to support safe travel by foot, bike and wheelchair during the ongoing COVID crisis.

“We have several schemes already in place and underway, using £5m allocated by Transport Scotland, and we are continuing to introduce further measures to help people get around easily as restrictions are lifted.”