This is the formal response by Living Streets Edinburgh (LSEG) to the consultation on the ‘Barnton Connections’ active travel proposals closing on 9 February 2026.

We agree with the aim of connecting Maybury Road to NCN 1, and also improving the ability to cross Queensferry Road by walking and wheeling, especially in view of the massive increase in housing in the Cammo/West Craigs areas and consequent need to promote sustainable travel options in the area. We recognise that this is a very challenging brief given the amount of traffic using Barnton junction.

We provisionally support the proposals, with one specific exception regarding bus stops (see below). We say “provisionally” for three reasons: firstly because we understand that no modelling of pedestrian movement has been undertaken; without understanding how pedestrian movement is affected, for better or worse, we can’t provide definitive comment on the plans. This modelling should be an essential exercise in any major junction change.

Secondly, the proposals do not seem to include any new bus priority measures. In view of the importance of the A90 as the principal road link between Fife and Edinburgh, the focus on cycling, walking and wheeling on a north/south axis seems narrow: a wider brief which includes general traffic and especially public transport as well as pedestrian and cycle links would seem appropriate.

Finally we wonder, in view of all these complexities as well as expense and disruption, whether Maybury Road-Whitehouse Road directly across the Barnton Junction is the most sensible route to link cyclists from the south of the A 90 to NCN1. We note that the Cramond Barnton and Cammo Community Council suggest that a number of alternative routes may be more appropriate to connect key cycle links. We do not feel in a position to support or oppose this suggestion but believe that it should be looked at carefully.

Turning to specific aspects of the presented design, we would make the following comments:

We especially welcome the cycle/pedestrian route over Queensferry Road at the west side of the Barnton junction changing from a 4-phase to a 2-phase crossing, which we expect should enhance pedestrian movement significantly. We would ideally like to see improved crossing opportunities to the east of the junction as well.

Other welcome aspects include the new signalised crossing on Maybury Road at Cammo Gardens, particularly given the amount of new housing development in the area and the volume of traffic on Maybury Road. We are pleased to see some pedestrian build-outs which improve side road junctions, for example at Barnton Avenue West/Brae Park, Barnton Grove and Queensferry Road itself. The removal of hatching on Whitehouse Road allows a better use of the carriageway, especially as we understand the speed limit is to rightly be reduced to 20mph. A lot of space at Barnton junction itself is unpleasant with excessive guard rails and new planting would be welcome. The walking routes and space at the shops and past the Royal Burgess Golf Society are currently poor and would be made more pedestrian-friendly by these proposals.

The switch of the cycle lane from the west to the east side of Whitehouse Road just north of the shops looks odd. Presumably this is to minimise the number of side road junctions interacting with the cycle lane: however, most northbound cyclists heading from Barnton towards South Queensferry or Cramond would surely continue to use the road rather than cross over to the cycleway (and then back again)?

On the negative side, there appears to be little if any, general footway widening except at some junction build-outs. Indeed there seems to be a slight reduction in many footway widths. The ‘criss-crossing’ of the pavements by cycle ways at junctions (including Barnton Junction) should be avoided: many pedestrians, especially those who are older, less mobile or have sensory impairments, value pavements as spaces where they feel safe from potential conflict with any vehicle, including bicycles.

We are disappointed to see two new ‘floating’ bus stops installed on Whitehouse Road; we receive regular feedback that these are a problem for older and disabled people, especially visually impaired. The northern-most bus stop has no footway at all, so requires pedestrians to cross the cycleway twice to move along the pavement, even if they aren’t catching a bus. This is a clear breach of council ESDG standards; we would therefore like to see conventional bus stops retained.

February 2026