Our analysis of all the parties’ manifestos for the recent elections (see below) shows that there is much common ground on the need to improve conditions for walking in Edinburgh, as a key means of improving the health, environment, economy of the city.
Edinburgh has inherited – from the vision of politicians and planners hundreds of years ago – a compact pattern of development which still lends itself to walking, but that is not enough for the 21st century. We urge Councillors of all parties to work pro-actively together to deliver the transformation of the car-dominated public realm which Edinburgh residents and visitors deserve.
Labour:
Poor air quality presents a significant challenge to young and old, and broken surfaces on pavements and roads affect us all, whether walking, driving or cycling.
Create a dedicated ‘Budget for Walking’ to be used, for example to install more pedestrian crossings, more drop kerbs and increase the number of paths and pedestrian zones.
Make significant progress towards making our city ‘barrier free’ by improving accessibility to buildings, and making streets and pavements suitable for people with disabilities.
SNP:
…ensuring Edinburgh remains a walkable city where the needs of pedestrians are central to how our streets are designed.
We will invest £100m over the next five years to fix our roads and pavements.
We will tackle pavement obstructions and further reduce street clutter. We will tackle parking at drop kerbs and parking on pavements as soon as we have the powers to do so and conduct a wide-ranging review on access issues for people with disabilities.
Utility companies continually digging up our roads and pavements can inflict damage to our infrastructure, increase traffic pressure and cause chaos in our communities. We will explore the introduction of a rent charge for utility companies to prevent such disruption.
Green:
…create safe and attractive routes for cyclists and walkers
Review and set a target to significantly increase the current 58% share of people walking, cycling or using public transport to commute;
Introduce a number of days where public transport, cycling and walking are given priority
Make it easier and more attractive for people to choose walking and cycling
We back more money for well-managed services which improve day to day life: streets free of litter and dog-fouling; bin collections which are on time; and well-maintained pavements, cycle-paths and roads.
Tackle the state of roads and pavements by putting in place a Roads Inquiry and Action Plan with three priorities:
- Prevent (reducing large trucks and pavement mounting);
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- Manage (better co-ordination of utilities’ road works and improving roads team customer service);
- Invest (push for the Scottish Government to switch money from high-profile “prestige” projects and towards maintenance and repair).
Conservative:
Improve the condition of Edinburgh’s roads, paths and pavements for all.
Create an Edinburgh Index, published annually or more frequently, showing an assessment of road, path and pavement conditions…
Increase targeted provision for pedestrians such as safe school zones, pedestrian zones and addressing casualty blackspots.
Liberal Democrat:
Pavements are in an equally dangerous state [to roads]
We want to make it easier for people to get around our great city, whether by walking, cycling, getting around by public transport and using the car where appropriate. It means ensuring the city is accessible for all, regardless of physical or sensory ability. Liberal Democrats will work with others to ensure the city improves the experience of people who walk in the city.
…will maintain the walking and cycling element of our transport budget at 10% {I pointed out to their transport spokesperson months ago that the 10% is all for cycling!]
…encourage more people to cycle and to do so considerately, especially where space is shared with pedestrians.
…we will focus on repairing potholes in the city and deteriorating pavements.
