We have two new reports on our observations from the pedestrian’s point of view on two more road junctions. As so often, people walking have to wait too long to cross – this not only discourages walking but also encourages people to cross unsafely. Especially worrying is the lack of any ‘green man’ phase at Blackhall (a problem until recently at Gardners Crescent too). We’re encouraging the City of Edinburgh Council to invest much more in traffic signals so that they better reflect the ‘sustainable travel hierarchy’ (which has walking and wheeling firmly at the top).
Thank you for attending our webinar with Daisy Narayanan, head of placemaking and mobility at Edinburgh Council, and Cllr Scott Arthur, convener of the Transport and Environment Committee, who discussed changes to central Edinburgh i.e. the North / South Bridges, Canongate, Cowgate, the Mound and more.
Edinburgh is very congested and that’s something we have to tackle to hit net zero, as well as accommodate growth: land has been set aside for around 37,000 new houses in and around the city over the next few years.
How and when these changes are happening are yet to be outlined in detail. But expecting some / most of it within a year.
Traffic modelling shows an expected 10% traffic evaporation once these new proposals go through – the Council has a 30% reduction target in car kilometres by 2030.
The proposals to restrict traffic on the bridges etc partly depend on letting traffic flow (partially) through Holyrood Park – Historic Environment Scotland (HES) owns Holyrood Park and is currently consulting on the park’s future – the Council and HES will have to work together.
Scott Arthur said he does not foresee any changes to Lothian Bus routes through the city centre, but of course Lothian Buses makes up its own routes, not the Council.
This is not a car ‘ban’. Residents and businesses will retain access to areas like Cowgate [editor: unanswered questions if any of proposed areas will actually be pedestrianised].
The new proposals mean re-examining plans to make Lothian Road a ‘boulevard’.There is an opportunity to widen pavements on the bridges as well as restrict through-traffic.
The Council is considering restricting vehicle access to Calton Road from Leith Street i.e. where the back of Waverley Station is.
Any changes to Picardy Place will be incremental e.g. possibly again allowing vehicles to turn onto London Road.
The fundamental challenge is the volume of traffic in the city. However, the plans aim to make it easier for people who really need to drive. The tram network is planned to double and bus journey times are planned to decrease by 25% within a decade.
The Council and Network Rail are talking about opening certain sections of the South Suburban Railway i.e. Slateford to Portobello, but not the entire loop. Timescale? 2035. Ultimate permission will come from Network Rail.Please email us if you’d like to be sent the slide deck / Zoom chat.
Quaker Meeting House, November 14, 2022 Approximately 25 people were present.
A number of apologies were recorded
The Minute of LSEG AGM 2021 was approved and adopted. There were no matters arising.
David Hunter noted LSEG’S significant activity of the previous year.
Isobel Leckie noted that financial activity this year was minimal. The bank account balance with Bank of Scotland is £1144.36.
DH outlined the current structure of the Living Streets Edinburgh Group having no formal committee structure but individuals taking responsibility for particular aspects. A requirement of Living Streets is that local groups have two named office holders. It was agreed that David Hunter and Isobel Leckie continue in respective posts as Convenor and Treasurer.
Guest speaker Cllr. Arthur made the point that personal transport is about having choices and that these should focus on sustainability. Although walking is the main mode for a third of the population it arouses least public comment. He wanted to get away from an ongoing battle between cyclists and motorists. and to focus more on walking and public transport.
A number of questions were raised from the floor which Cllr Arthur responded to.
DH spoke to a paper indicating LSEG proposed priorities for 2023: – Campaign for increased budgets for the pedestrian environment (capital and staffing) – Secure better enforcement of controls on parking – Support specific local campaigns for placemaking and traffic reduction – LTNs, 20 min – Neighbourhood plans – Develop walk friendly- environments at and around schools – Influence planning policy and practice to aid walking and wheeling and reduce motor traffic – Grow number of our supporters and range of our campaigns. – DH described ways in which individuals could become involved with LSEG campaigning and encouraged anyone interested to get in touch.
There was no further business and the meeting was closed.
The City of Edinburgh Council has issued a number of important draft plans related to its overall ‘City Mobility Plan’. You can read our comments here on the plans for Active Travel, Road Safety and Parking.
You can see the Council’s draft plans, and how to comment on them here: https://consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/sfc/cmp/ The deadline for responses is 9 July 2023: please have your say! We also welcome your feedback on our comments.
