Our Spaces for People team is still working hard to put in place measures to give more space for people to walk, cycle and wheel, and to address the issues you raised in your feedback. We’ve already installed segregated cycle lanes on key routes, widened pavements in shopping streets, removed street clutter to help people who have mobility issues or other disabilities and improved signalling for pedestrian crossings. Improvements have also been made around schools to help children get to and from school safely.One of the next schemes we aim to implement is a <a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.edinburgh.gov.uk%2fnews%2farticle%2f12943%2feast-craigs-to-become-city-s-first-low-traffic-neighbourhood&amp;c=E,1,SntA2YeaNW70r_9qH5LB57xFUo1rbIyfOIpSFxOGWmrbH9lO901zzueSnW7nf12G6uXYAGvvWIiHzTiWh85ao236erLPNEzRi_Jh9MY266W63Xh_W3wcySyN2Q,,&amp;typo=1">low traffic neighbourhood</a> in East Craigs. Through the Commonplace interactive map, people told us that they want to see better conditions for active travel in the area, feedback echoed in our recent work on the West Edinburgh Link project.In his recent <a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.edinburgh.gov.uk%2fnews%2farticle%2f12950%2fcouncil-leader-s-report-august-2020&amp;c=E,1,E5XrxC_pQTeNroLx2zk0fYln7FlLHe32e9Yo8hmMP-5AUhK6mmf6Jgk0jWNo7bI7X3Z6BYeV_liIrj0ax66jYaaFqa9iVQRu1kkmesAPiRWuHUopNg,,&amp;typo=1">Leader’s Report</a> , Council Leader Adam McVey said: “This will be the first of what I hope will be more schemes to prioritise residents’ spaces. We’ll be closely monitoring the temporary changes as they’re introduced, reducing through-routes for rat-running traffic to create a safer, more relaxed neighbourhood for residents and families.”<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:eco,w_1024/v1598608930/projects/edinburghspacesforpeople/9dabe30c-49a9-42aa-bd93-f30369f65932.jpg" />In the coming weeks, we’ll be adding to our temporary network of segregated cycle lanes, increasing pavement widths at more schools and enhancing measures in key shopping streets by replacing cones with more robust, space-defining cylinders.Adam added:“We all know just how much shops, cafés, restaurants and other businesses have suffered over recent months and these changes aim to support economic recovery across the city by making it easier, safer and more pleasurable for people to spend time in their local shopping streets. Recently we published a <a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fdemocracy.edinburgh.gov.uk%2fdocuments%2fs25363%2fItem%25206.10%2520-%2520Spaces%2520for%2520People%2520Initiative%2520-%2520Response%2520to%2520Motion-%2520FINAL.pdf&amp;c=E,1,OFPC0YAirj_jKXiAZMmEggXQq-0VJu4YRkdpCYSjfpuc5DLnYpqeKrDOHPLdfYYyG6L3Z2kECR49QxDupYNuLKOYZq8CCw-ejAcgZLO_AKMwhKkbe0YcbzY,&amp;typo=1">report</a> highlighting evidence from around the world on just how beneficial high-quality spaces and accessibility for walking and cycling can be for the economy, and we remain committed to bringing those benefits to residents and businesses across the capital.”You can continue to <a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.edinburgh.gov.uk%2fspaces-people-1&amp;c=E,1,ey8BqeT2jmiMlSIe_m6k9U-8LLAvlsc8qOZbzXUYknzgr0r98DwJdCFMJGd9JEDrpFbrZXYpzO6Jkp9-mLfz4zcXO9vAQfXTENmqUmSM5liHwAnN7F0,&amp;typo=1">keep up to date with our progress</a> over the coming weeks and months on the Council’s website.

Spaces for People improvements continue in the right direction

Edinburgh’s first Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) is being introduced as part of Spaces for People improvements.We’ll implement a series of temporary measures in the East Craigs area over the coming weeks to help people walk, cycle and wheel safely. These include segregated cycle lanes, closing roads to ‘through’ traffic and a bus gate. Recent feedback to consultation on the <a href="https://westedinburghlink.info/">West Edinburgh Link (WEL)</a> project and your suggestions here on the Commonplace interactive map influenced our plans for an LTN. Over 1,800 people commented, and over 17,300 agreed, that the amount of traffic was a barrier to physical distancing. You supported improvements like slowing vehicles, closing streets and adding protected cycle lanes were improvements.LTNs reduce the impact of motor traffic on neighbourhoods, creating people-friendly spaces and encouraging physical activity by limiting through traffic on designated streets, while maintaining local access.<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:eco,w_1024/v1598264105/projects/edinburghspacesforpeople/baee647a-1195-4132-8ccb-4ca6c8be79d7.jpg" />Once implemented, we’ll monitor the effects of the LTN, making amendments if appropriate, and will be engaging with the community to help shape the scheme. Transport and Environment Convener Councillor Lesley Macinnes said:“We’ve been working hard to introduce a package of measures across the city that will make it easier and safer to get around, to spend time in local high streets and to return to school as restrictions are lifted.“Many of these changes respond to feedback from the community, and in East Craigs we know that local people want to see conditions for walking, cycling and travel by public transport improved. The range of interventions we’ll be implementing will create safe, people-friendly streets by reducing speeding and opportunities for rat running. Vehicle access will of course be maintained for residents.”Transport and Environment Vice Convener Councillor Karen Doran said:“These temporary measures are supported by previous research and feedback and will benefit the community as they return to work and school. We’ll be closely monitoring their impact and drawing from this as we work to develop a long-term LTN for the area, as part of WEL. Of course, there will be further consultation with the community before any decisions on permanent schemes are made.”<a href="https://www.sustrans.org.uk/for-professionals/infrastructure/an-introductory-guide-to-low-traffic-neighbourhood-design/an-introductory-guide-to-low-traffic-neighbourhood-design-contents/design-guide/all/1-making-the-case-for-a-low-traffic-neighbourhood/">Examples of LTNs</a> introduced elsewhere have seen traffic levels, and often speeds, fall. Walking, wheeling and cycling has also been found to increase, while it has been observed that stopping ‘through’ traffic on side streets doesn’t significantly add to congestion on main roads.Find out more about <a href="https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/spaces-people-1">Spaces for People</a> on the Council website.

East Craigs to become city’s first Low Traffic Neighbourhood

You shared over 1,100 comments and 9,800 agreements about sharing paths with others. We recognised that with more of us choosing to walk or cycle, our city network of off-road paths is busier than ever. That’s why, since May, we’ve been sharing information about our Paths for Everyone code to encourage everyone to stay safe and consider others, as well as always following <a href="https://www.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19/">government advice on physical distancing</a> . You may have seen our signs around the city.Exercise is so important for our health and wellbeing, so we want everyone to be able to enjoy it in safety and comfort. By following our simple code of conduct, everyone can enjoy our path:<iframe src=https://www.youtube.com/embed/LqUzvg20CwE></iframe><li> give each other space</li> <li>slow right down</li> <li>stay left, pass on the right</li> <li>keep your dog on a lead in busy areas</li> <li>remember that not all disabilities are visible. Slow down and give enough warning</li> <li>wash your hands when you get home</li>Find out more about our Paths for Everyone <a href="https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/cycling-walking/paths-everyone?documentId=12667&amp;categoryId=20087">code of conduct</a> .<a href="https://www.sustrans.org.uk/about-us/sustrans-and-covid-19/">Guidance from Sustrans</a> on walking and cycling as lockdown measures ease and <a href="https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/scotland/article/20200313-Scottish-Cycling-Coronavirus-COVID19-Guidance-0">guidance from Scottish Cycling</a> .We’re working closely with the Scottish Government and Sustrans to make temporary emergency changes to our roads to help create more space for people walking, running, cycling, using a wheelchair or pushing a pram, so you can travel safely while keeping physically distant from each other. <a href="https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/roads-travel-parking/emergency-measures-pedestrians-cyclists-coronavirus">Find out more</a> about our Spaces for People programme, what we&#39;ve implemented and what we&#39;re planning.<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:eco,w_1024/v1597677722/projects/edinburghspacesforpeople/e34131d0-1baa-4c87-85da-4abc569c3f8f.jpg" />