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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