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Spaces for People improvements continue in the right direction

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 low traffic neighbourhood 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 Leader’s Report , 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.”

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 report 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 keep up to date with our progress over the coming weeks and months on the Council’s website.

Posted on 28th August 2020

by Project Team

East Craigs to become city’s first Low Traffic Neighbourhood

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 West Edinburgh Link (WEL) 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.

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.”

Examples of LTNs 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 Spaces for People on the Council website.

Posted on 24th August 2020

by Project Team

Sharing paths with others and physical distancing

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 government advice on physical distancing . 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:

  • give each other space
  • slow right down
  • stay left, pass on the right
  • keep your dog on a lead in busy areas
  • remember that not all disabilities are visible. Slow down and give enough warning
  • wash your hands when you get home
  • Find out more about our Paths for Everyone code of conduct .

    Guidance from Sustrans on walking and cycling as lockdown measures ease and guidance from Scottish Cycling .

    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. Find out more about our Spaces for People programme, what we've implemented and what we're planning.

    Posted on 17th August 2020

    by Project Team

    How your comments are helping with the next steps

    While we’ve been asking for your ideas for temporary measures, we're also been looking at the views we’ve gathered on our planned improvements to our active travel network . We know from this work that there are areas where you feel less comfortable moving around on 'wheels' of various kinds. We’re also looking at areas of the city where businesses will need more outdoor space as they re-open.

    We’ve already reviewed many locations and are currently drawing up plans so we can put temporary measures in place as quickly as possible. Many of the comments you've given us on the Commonplace interactive map are about issues in these locations.

    So, your comments are already helping us to refine our next set of proposals for temporary changes, and they'll help us to identify other possible temporary measures across the city.

    Find out more about what we’ve already put in place and what we’re planning for the city centre, local shopping areas, segregated cycle lanes, spaces for exercise and low traffic neighbourhoods.

    Transport and Environment Convener Councillor Lesley Macinnes said :

    "We’re leading the way with our plans to create more space for everyone – pedestrians, cyclists, wheelchair users, people with prams and families. Over the coming months we’ll be installing more than 30km of segregated cycle lanes across the city to support people to return to work, take leisurely trips or to visit one another on bike.“These upcoming schemes were identified on key routes by officers as priority areas. As the number of cars using our roads gradually increases with people returning to work, changes like this will help people to continue choosing to cycle when we come out of lockdown.“Work also starts this week to create more space temporarily in local shopping streets, making easier to distance as businesses reopen. Measures include widening pavements and removing street clutter in Corstorphine, Gorgie/Dalry and Portobello, with more areas to follow next week.”

    Posted on 22nd July 2020

    by Project Team

    Thousands share their suggestions for walking, cycling and wheeling improvements

    Thank you for your comments

    The Commonplace website was launched at the end of May and remained open for a month. This website was set up after the City of Edinburgh Council received funding from the Spaces for People programme, with the aim to identify locations within the Council area where measures are needed to allow the public to remain 2 metres away from one another, while making essential journeys by walking, cycling and wheeling; exercising and queuing outside businesses.

    Over 4,000 comments have been received via Commonplace and the Council’s dedicated email inbox, with suggestions by residents and from people who work or own a business in the city.

    Feedback is being monitored, with key issues highlighted including traffic speed, amount of traffic, pavement width and the need for more cycle lanes. The below wordcloud summaries these barriers, taken from the data collected from Commonplace:

    While the comments and feedback will continue to help identify and prioritise measures, it will not be possible to deliver all of the suggestions due to funding limitations and procurement of resources.

    Transport and Environment Convener Councillor Lesley Macinnes said:

    "Thank you to the thousands of people who took the time to let us know where they think improvements could be made to help people walk, cycle and wheel safely. Your feedback is invaluable and will help us to refine and expand our approach as lockdown continues to be eased, as well as influencing longer term strategic plans to improve infrastructure across the city.Our programme of improvements, which is one of the most ambitious in the country, is well underway - over the coming months we’ll be delivering more than 30km of cycle segregation in the first phase of improvements alone, widened pavements across the city and reducing speed limits in key areas. We know how important it is to make these changes quickly and we’re making good progress while monitoring feedback to make sure the measures are working."

    What’s next?

    Last week, widened footways and bus, cycle and taxi gates were installed on East Princes Street and South David Street , as well as the closure of Waverley Bridge .

    You can find out more about the temporary measures that are already on the ground within Edinburgh and the upcoming plans, including closures on Victoria Street and Cockburn Street.

    To add your feedback to existing measures visit the Space to Move interactive map.

    John Lauder , Deputy CEO Sustrans and National Director Sustrans Scotland and Northern Ireland, said:

    "Sustrans Scotland welcomes the huge response to the City of Edinburgh Council’s commonplace tool. This illustrates the level of interest from the public in making places better for people to walk, cycle and wheel safely in Edinburgh. As the local economy reopens, and we hear the news from Transport Scotland of a 25% increase in bike journeys compared to last year, it is vital that people can exercise and make essential journeys on foot and by bike, safely while adhering to physical distancing guidelines. We look forward to continue working with the Council on the Spaces for People programme."

    For further information, please read the full press release .

    Posted on 9th July 2020

    by Project Team

    Edinburgh Commonplace map closes for comments today

    Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the Spaces for People Commonplace map for Edinburgh. We have had an overwhelming response, with over 18,000 visitors and almost 4,000 comments .

    Comments can still be added until 23:50 tonight, 29th June, please share the page with others who might be interested.

    All of the responses, including emails received prior to the Commonplace site being launched, will be analysed to help refine and prioritise current proposals. Comments will also help identify new locations where temporary measures for physical distancing are needed.

    The City of Edinburgh Council’s website is updated regularly with information about what measures are being installed. Check out the animation below to see what has already been put in place.

    Please be aware that the Council will not be able to deliver every suggestion that has been made. Funding and resources will be prioritised for temporary measures that are most needed as lock down eases further. The timescales for the measures being implemented will be dependent on sourcing the materials needed to meet safety standards and also the availability of the appropriate contractors.

    Thank you again for your time and ideas, if you have further comments the page remains open until 23:50 tonight.

    Posted on 29th June 2020

    by Project Team

    Transport Convener writes about the ambitious plans in Edinburgh

    Transport and Environment Convener Lesley Macinnes has written about the ambitious but complex plans to make walking, cycling and wheeling safer and easier during the coronavirus pandemic.

    Since the launch of the interactive Commonplace map , on 29th May, there have been thousands of ideas received to make physical distancing easier while walking, cycling and wheeling.

    Comments from the map, and emails before its launch date, range from removing guardrails on narrow pavements to pedestrianising streets, to speed reduction or pop-up cycle lanes and are all extremely valuable. The council’s teams are working hard assessing all responses, as well as linking them to those actions already identified across the city.

    Edinburgh Council have already delivered many initiatives and in the last week there has been more than 5km of pop-up cycle lanes installed.

    As lock down eases, businesses will begin to reopen. As the economy gets back on track, the public’s health must still be protected. To ensure this happens, the City of Edinburgh Council will begin implementing several, major interventions in the city centre to help create a safer environment, encouraging people to spend time on foot or bike as restrictions ease.

    These include footway widening and the introduction of bus, cycle and taxi gates on East Princes Street and South St David Street, reducing traffic volumes and aiding cycling and public transport, and the partial closure of Waverley Bridge.

    Councillor Lesely Macinnes said:

    “Much of the work we are undertaking is to create quick, temporary changes to help people travel safely as we adjust to these exceptional circumstances. Emphasising clean, sustainable transport and people-focused spaces, where fewer cars result in less air pollution, supports our long-term city goals of a carbon neutral future where air quality is improved and healthy, and where walking, cycling and wheeling is the norm. We will get through this together and, if we are to make the right decisions now, we can harness these positive outcomes as we emerge from this crisis.”

    To find out more please read the full press release sent by the City of Edinburgh Council.

    Remember to share the Edinburgh Commonplace page with your family and friends. The more people involved, the better the needs of the whole community will be reflected.

    Posted on 18th June 2020

    by Project Team

    Second week of Edinburgh Commonplace

    During the second week of this website being live, we have received a further 500 comments , making the total number reach 2,418 .

    The wordcloud below illustrates some of the solutions that you have suggested that will help allow physical distancing within Edinburgh:

    Next steps

    You can read about the temporary measures that have been installed so far across Edinburgh and the next steps the council are taking by visiting the City of Edinbrgh Council website.

    Your comments through this website, along with the suggestions received via email, will help identify and prioritise further temporary measures being installed throughout Edinburgh.

    One of the changes that has recently happened is that for several of the main junctions in Edinburgh, you will no longer have to press the button for the ‘green man’ to appear, as it will now show automatically during the traffic signal sequence. This is to keep people safe, as they no longer have to touch the button, and will help towards preventing the spread of Covid-19. Here’s a list of the junctions and crossings where the automation has taken place.

    Thank you to everyone who has contributed so far. Remember to share the Edinburgh Commonplace page with your family and friends. The more people involved, the better the needs of the whole community will be reflected.

    Posted on 12th June 2020

    by Project Team

    City set for next phase of temporary active travel measures as restrictions are eased

    Edinburgh Commonplace has been live for over a week

    Thank you to everyone who has commented and contributed to the online mapping tool Commonplace so far. Since the launch of the website on Friday 29th May 2020 we have already had a total of 10,638 visitors to the website and over 2,200 comments on the map.

    The feedback received online as well as the suggestions sent via email are already being taken into consideration in helping prioritise and identify temporary measures to allow physical distancing as restrictions ease.

    It won’t be possible to fulfil every one of your requests but we appreciate your input to identify areas where physical distancing is most difficult. We will then direct our limited resources to where they are most needed.

    Below are some of the barriers identified by the public across Edinburgh to date:

    Next steps

    On Friday Edinburgh City Council implemented two temporary segregated cycle lanes on Old Dalkeith Road and Crewe Road South, providing safer routes as traffic increases for essential workers travelling to the city’s main hospitals, the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and Western General.

    The next set of interventions will focus on supporting economic recovery, as and when businesses begin to reopen, in line with the Scottish Government’s phased approach to lifting lockdown. Temporary changes will target the city centre and local high streets, helping people to visit these areas while maintaining physical distancing, without having to resort to private car use.

    To find out more please read the full press release sent by the City of Edinburgh Council.

    Remember to share the Edinburgh Commonplace page with your family and friends. The more people involved, the better the needs of the whole community will be reflected.

    Posted on 9th June 2020

    by Project Team

    Mapping tool launched to gather active travel suggestions

    A new online platform will let people share suggestions for creating safer spaces for walking, cycling and wheeling safely in Edinburgh as the current restrictions begin to be lifted.

  • Mapping tool launched to help people suggest improvements to make active travel easier and safer
  • £5m funding from Transport Scotland via Sustrans will support changes across the city
  • Package of measures already underway to help people walk, cycle and wheel as restrictions are lifted
  • Today, in collaboration with Sustrans, we’re launching the Commonplace mapping tool , which, throughout June, will allow residents to highlight ‘pinch points’ where emergency measures could help people maintain physical distancing safely on foot, bike or wheelchair.

    Earlier this month we announced an ambitious package of suggested interventions to make it easier and safer for pedestrians and cyclists to move around the Capital. As well as providing extra space, the proposals recognise a rise in active travel since lockdown began and aim to facilitate this as the phased lifting of lockdown continues. On Wednesday, we were granted £5m Transport Scotland Spaces for People funding, administered by Sustrans, to help deliver measures to achieve this.

    Over recent weeks we have received many suggestions for road closures, widened pavements, segregated cycle lanes and other possible actions from across the city. Now, the public will be able to highlight specific areas on an interactive map and provide feedback on barriers experienced, as well as identifying improvements. This, along with ideas already shared with us, will help shape our efforts over the coming weeks and months.

    Cllr Lesley Macinnes, Transport and Environment Convener, said: "We’ve hit the ground running with an extensive programme of measures to help people observe physical distancing while walking, cycling and wheeling, and to support them to continue to do so once restrictions are eased. This week we were delighted to receive a fantastic £5m funding award from Transport Scotland, via Sustrans, which will help us to go even further to achieve these aims.

    "We’ve seen a real increase in cycling and walking since the beginning of lockdown and we want to help this to continue as we return to a sense of normality. We’ve already had an incredibly enthusiastic response from residents who also want to see calmer, safer conditions maintained as we return to normal. This new tool is a great opportunity to involve the very people who use our streets to help shape our plans."Cllr Karen Doran, Transport and Environment Vice-Convener, said:"Our transport officers are working extremely hard to implement these changes as quickly as possible, and we’re delighted that the measures already in place have received such a great response from residents."We’ve received lots of ideas from across Edinburgh for further interventions, and this tool will help even more people highlight areas for improvement. We’d also like to reassure everyone who has already submitted suggestions to us that there is no need to resend them via this new tool, as we are reviewing all suggestions collectively no matter how they come to us."Dave Keane, Infrastructure Manager, Sustrans Scotland, said:"The City of Edinburgh Council has shown great ambition to make it easier for people to get around safely on foot, by bike or wheelchair during Phase 1 and beyond.  We hope people living in Edinburgh will engage with the Commonplace mapping tool – it’s really simple, clear and easy to give feedback. Most importantly, it will help the council get a clear picture of where temporary interventions are needed most."

    Responses received through the Commonplace platform will be recorded and used to inform plans, though temporary interventions that will have the greatest benefit to public health and can be delivered in a short timeframe will be prioritised. The website will close for comments on 29 June.

    While we welcome every response, we won’t be able to deliver all the improvements suggested, with any work dependent on available funding, procurement of materials and the availability of contractors. We’ll soon be sharing information on schemes that have been suggested alongside those that are being progressed on our website.

    A programme of changes is already underway across the city, and today we will be implementing the latest measures with the partial closure of Stanley Street and Hope Lane (between Stanley Street and Christian Grove) and the closure of Warriston Road to through traffic. The first will provide a low-traffic corridor for people to walk and cycle and access nearby green spaces like Figgate Park while the latter will create a wide pedestrian and cyclist-friendly space leading to access to the North Edinburgh path Network.

    Existing temporary road closures in Silverknowes, Greenbank, Cammo and Leith have been welcomed by community members, creating welcoming and safe spaces for pedestrians and cyclsts of all ages and abilities.

    The Council’s overall approach will be implemented to support the Scottish Government’s phased approach to lifting lockdown.

    All measures that are introduced will be closely monitored and refined or adapted in response to any issues, where necessary. The design process for any intervention will consider all road users, particularly people with mobility or visual impairments, and will seek feedback from organisations including RNIB, Edinburgh Access Panel and Living Streets.

    Submit suggestions on the Commonplace tool online, by 29 June.

    Posted on 29th May 2020

    by Project Team

    Transport Convener: Out of crises can emerge opportunities

    Transport and Environment Convener Cllr Lesley Macinnes writes in today's Edinburgh Evening News on the need to harness the city's new enthusiasm for active travel.

    The situation we find ourselves in has changed so many aspects of our lives – the way we work, how we interact with others, even our approach to daily exercise.

    Nipping to the shops or out for a jog is a completely different experience compared to before lockdown, not in the least because the way we move around the city has changed immeasurably too.

    But, as often observed, out of crises can emerge opportunities. The volume of cars, vans and lorries on roads has dropped noticeably, while cycling levels have surged. The need to get out of the house for exercise has seen more people walking and wheeling on our pavements, paths and in parks. As a result, we have witnessed improving air quality, less congestion and calmer streets.

    We have a chance now to harness these positive, changing habits and build towards a more sustainable future for Edinburgh. By helping people make the decision to cycle, walk and wheel as restrictions are eased, we can offset the negative impacts of traffic and air pollution as some return to using their cars.

    We’re already making moves to do this, and last month were quick off the mark to identify ‘pinch points’ where measures would make it easier and safer for people to exercise or visit local green spaces by foot, bike or wheelchair. 

    As part of our first tranche of improvements, partial road closures on Silverknowes Road, Links Gardens, Cammo Walk and Braid Road, as well as a one-way system on Braidburn Terrace, have really impacted the lives of people living there. We’ve had a fantastic response from residents, with Braid Road described as a “peaceful haven” for dog walkers, cyclists and families and reports of children skateboarding along Links Gardens, not to mention lovely videos on social media of cyclists of all ages enjoying the hill towards the Forth on Silverknowes Road.

    The next phase, which we’re currently consulting local councillors and stakeholders on, will significantly enhance conditions for those cycling to and from the city’s main hospitals. Our plan is to install around 3km (2 miles) of temporary segregated cycle lanes on Crewe Road South, leading to the Western General, and Old Dalkeith Road, between Cameron Toll and the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, providing safer routes for key workers and service users, especially as traffic grows again.

    Of course, this is just the beginning. Our initial changes have aimed to make physical distancing safer and easier as people exercise but as we begin to return to some sense of normality, as last week’s announcement by the Scottish Government suggests is on the horizon, we need to address the challenges this will bring. 

    Our focus now will be on implementing new measures in sync with, and where possible in advance of, each stage of the release of lockdown. We’ll continue to focus on providing safe spaces for people walking and cycling while at the same time facilitating public transport use, as services return. Our programme of actions will support the four-stage plan outlined by the First Minister – for example, as offices and worksites begin to return, we will address arterial routes to support commuters. And as pubs and cafes can reopen with outdoor areas, we’ll adapt these plans to support them too. Proposals to pedestrianise streets like Victoria Street and Cockburn Street, provide extra space for walking on South Bridge, Clerk Street, Nicolson St, and George IV Bridge and possibly segregated cycleways, on George IV Bridge are about helping our streets and their businesses come back to life as we look to restart the economy. Our nine local high streets in outlying areas of the city will also benefit from similar improvements, encouraging people to explore local businesses as they begin to reopen.

    In an ideal world, these changes would be implemented within days, but even the smallest temporary road closure takes time to put in place. We must make sure that the needs of all members of society are met so I’m glad that our officers are working quickly through their own list of potential projects, as well as the many suggestions we’ve gratefully received from the public, to prioritise resources where they are needed first. Let me reassure you that we will be sharing information on the next stages of our plan as soon as we can. 

    We have long been clear about our intentions to create an environmentally friendly and accessible transport future for Edinburgh, supporting our goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2030. We know that the status quo is no longer an option and our residents do too - 80% of city respondents to the latest Scottish Household Survey said they believed that climate change is an urgent problem.

    Long term, strategies like Edinburgh City Centre Transformation, the City Mobility Plan and our Active Travel Action Plan will transform the way we travel in Edinburgh, alongside sustainable policymaking across the council.

    However, right now, we have the opportunity to make changes immediately. Like cities across the world, we are experiencing a new enthusiasm for cycling, wheeling and walking. We cannot afford to ignore it – and all of the benefits such changes can bring to our city.

    Posted on 27th May 2020

    by Project Team

    Plans for safer walking and cycling in Edinburgh

    An action plan has been drawn up for creating safe and accessible spaces for walking and cycling in Edinburgh during the coronavirus outbreak, and when the city emerges from the crisis.

    On Thursday (14 May), members of the Policy and Sustainability Committee will consider a report setting out criteria for temporary walking and cycling infrastructure, as well as a package of short and long-term measures to establish safer routes for cyclists and pedestrians.

    We have already begun implementing changes to help those making essential journeys and taking daily exercise by foot or bike to stay 2m apart, with road closures in Greenbank, Leith and Silverknowes .

    Additional improvements are proposed for other ‘pinch points’ across the city, such as road closures, the introduction of bus gates and temporary cycle lanes. As restrictions are eased and traffic increases, further changes to facilitate safe movement are likely to include pedestrian priority at signalised road crossings, extended bus lane hours, widened pavements and a review of speed limits.

    To provide extra space in the city centre, and as residents return to a ‘new normal’, it is also intended that key proposals from the Edinburgh City Centre Transformation plan are brought forward to prioritise pedestrians and cyclists. In particular, Bank Street, East Market Street and East Princes Street would be closed to car traffic while on Victoria Street and Cockburn Street through traffic would be eliminated and parking provision reduced.

    Council Leader Adam McVey said:

    We’re leading the way with our approach to safer, more accessible streets and we’ve received a huge amount of support for our plans to create more room for pedestrians and cyclists. It’s clear that people want and need to make essential journeys and take daily exercise by foot or bike safely and we need to give them the space to do so. It’s no secret that we face many months of upheaval as we work to emerge from this crisis, and this will no doubt impact on the way we move around the city. As we return to a ‘new normal’, our citywide strategy will support people to make journeys by foot, bike or public transport while continuing to observe physical distancing. We’ve been working closely with the Scottish Government and Sustrans to make improvements such as these easier in the long term. By bringing forward more permanent plans to prioritise these modes of transport, we’re also looking to a cleaner, greener and more sustainable future for Edinburgh.

    Depute Leader Cammy Day said:

    We’re already seeing the benefits in areas where we’ve implemented changes and we’re working to introduce improvements to other pinch points across the city, helping people to reach nearby open spaces, essential services and to get to and from work safely. We’ve already identified several streets but we’d also welcome any suggestions from the public. It’s crucial that these measures work for everyone living on or near the streets concerned. We’ve been engaging closely with local communities to make sure access is maintained for deliveries, those with mobility issues and emergency services, and these conversations will help us as we continue to roll out changes.

    David Hunter, from the Living Streets Edinburgh Group, said:

    With the need for physical distancing continuing, and more people walking and cycling, it’s vital there are safe ways for people to get around. Walking should be the top option for people to get around their local community. Living Streets Scotland and the Living Streets Edinburgh Group welcome the council’s intent to help people walk and cycle safely. We’re especially keen to see practical measures which give adequate space to pedestrians in congested streets.

    Since the implementation of restrictions in March, it is estimated that cycling and walking has increased by 15 to 20%, while travel by car and public transport has dropped. During this time, we have seen a rise in reports of congestion on pedestrian and cycling routes, with people finding it difficult to maintain physical distancing.

    As we plan for Edinburgh’s recovery, we are expecting to see a change in the way people move around the city. By facilitating a growth in walking, cycling and public transport use, we want to sustain improvements to air quality seen during recent months as well as contributing to meeting the Capital’s target to be carbon neutral by 2030.

    On Thursday (14 May), councillors on the Policy and Sustainability Committee will be asked to approve the submission of an application for funding from the Scottish Government’s £10m ‘Spaces for People’ scheme supporting local authorities to deliver temporary improvements for walking and cycling. Our own criteria for making improvements would be in line with the Spaces for People objectives and measures would seek to:

  • Make space for people to exercise.
  • Make space for people to travel safely around the city.
  • Reduce risk to people who use the carriageway for travel or exercise.
  • Make space for people in shopping streets and in the city centre.
  • We are currently reviewing our existing active travel programme to identify routes which could be brought forward to support these objectives. We have been working with key stakeholders and Police Scotland to highlight other streets which are not part of the programme but where changes would improve the safety of pedestrians and cyclists. These include:

  • The closure of Waverley Bridge to traffic.
  • Temporary footway widening on Morrison Street, Morningside Road and Easter Road.
  • Temporary footway widening and cycle segregation on George IV Bridge.
  • A 24-hour bus gate with loading and parking restrictions on Liberton Road, Craigmillar Park and Minto Street.
  • The closure of road on East Fettes Avenue.
  • Installation of bus gates on Dundee St at Fountainbridge and closure of Viewforth, as well as some temporary cycle segregation on Dundee Street.
  • The introduction of a bus lane on Queensferry Road.
  • Measures would be subject to a detailed design and risk assessment process, which may result in an alternative approach. Officers will consult with local ward members and other public services to prioritise routes and changes for implementation.

    Full details of proposals are available in the report, Creating Safe Spaces for Walking and Cycling , which can be downloaded from the Council website.

    Posted on 24th May 2020

    by Project team

    Council set to introduce emergency measures for pedestrians and cyclists

    Plans to implement changes to help walkers and cyclists remain socially distant.

    The City of Edinburgh Council is set to become one of the first local authorities in the UK to introduce emergency measures to help pedestrians and cyclists to travel safely while observing physical distancing guidance.

    We have been working closely with Transport Scotland and Sustrans to develop an approach to re-designating road space. This will benefit from support from a £10m fund to help local authorities introduce temporary active travel solutions, announced by the Cabinet Secretary Michael Matheson on Tuesday (28 April).

    Over the coming weeks we’ll be implementing several changes to help prioritise walking and cycling. Immediate actions will tackle areas highlighted as pinch points for pedestrians and cyclists and will include some road lane closures and the implementation of temporary cycle lanes. There has been significant, understandable public demand for action to help facilitate safe daily exercise and the movement of essential workers.

    In the medium term, as lockdown measures continue and are eventually eased, we will develop a citywide approach to more significant changes, such as expanded cycle lanes and the creation of bus gates. Longer term, it is proposed that progress on more permanent schemes under the Active Travel Programme is brought forward.

    Council Leader Adam McVey said:

    The way we move around the city has changed significantly over recent weeks and it’s clear that we need to respond to this. We’ve been working closely with the Scottish Government to develop measures to help pedestrians and cyclists travel safely while remaining socially distant, so we’re delighted that Transport Scotland has confirmed funding to support local authorities to meet this challenge. Our commitment to encouraging and facilitating safer, more convenient walking and cycling in Edinburgh remains as strong as ever. We want to ensure that our city can support essential journeys and let local people access their local open spaces by creating safe, accessible routes to do so.

    Depute Leader Cammy Day said:

    As we plan for the city’s recovery, we must consider ways in which we can help people make daily journeys while limiting the potential impact of coronavirus, and maintaining physical distancing is essential to this. We’re going to be making changes around the city over the coming weeks to achieve this, as well as progressing plans to further improve infrastructure as we emerge from the crisis.

    Immediate measures will include the closure of the following roads:

  • Silverknowes Road, from the roundabout at Lauriston Farm Road and Silverknowes Parkway to Marine Drive
  • Braid Road, from the junction at Braidburn Terrace and Hermitage Drive to the entrance of the Braid Hills Hotel (implemented by Sunday, 3 May)
  • Links Gardens, Leith, from the junction with Links Gardens Lane to the Gladstone Place/Vanburgh Place (implemented by Sunday, 3 May)
  • These locations have been identified in close dialogue with relevant Council services and Police Scotland who have expressed concerns in each area. Further emergency measures are being investigated for implementation in the weeks beginning 4 May and 11 May and these will be communicated as soon as possible.

    We will continue to quickly address other ‘pinch points’ and local issues, making use of Temporary Traffic Regulation Orders where necessary, which allow urgent amendments to be made to road layouts to help create more space for people on foot or bike.

    The next steps will see a report brought to the Policy and Sustainability Committee in May outlining a citywide plan for more significant changes to the road network to create additional space for walking and cycling. Alongside this, we will be investigating early delivery of some of our more ambitious active travel projects which will help people to make essential journeys safely and quickly as we move towards a new normal.

    Further information on the Council's response to the coronavirus outbreak is available online.

    Posted on 24th May 2020

    by Project team