Edinburgh gets first low traffic neighbourhood
Edinburgh City Council to introduce their first low traffic neighbourhood to the East Craigs area of the city.
This scheme is part of the Spaces for People improvements, a programme to introduce new infrastructure across Scotland to make it safer for people to walk, cycle or wheel during COVID-19.
Interventions in East Craigs include the introduction of cycle lanes, closing roads to ‘through traffic’ and a new bus gate.
The hope is that these low traffic neighbourhoods will reduce the impact of motor traffic of neighbourhoods by creating people-friendly spaces and encouraging physical activity.
Once the plans have been implemented, the council will monitor the effects of the low traffic neighbourhoods, making amendments if necessary and engaging with the local community to help shape the scheme.
Transport and Environment Cllr 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 Cllr Karen Doran added: ‘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.’
Photo Credit – Pixabay
There was absolutely no consultation with the local residents.
The local area is losing a huge proportion of it’s green space to new build houses which together with these ridiculous implementations will create greater pollution in an already highly polluted area.
Looking at these plans on paper does not reflect the true picture.
This is not a done deal it is only a proposal. There is a lot of opposition, within the East Craigs community to this plan. I don’t know where you are getting your information from. Local councillors and MSPs have been informed of this undemocratic proposal. Very angry resident of East Craigs .
This is being forced on us against our will! It will make pollution worse as we now have to drive further and sit in traffic! And incase no has noticed people have been back in their cars for months the numbers walking and cycling have dropped significantly i know as i live here and am out everyday!
Not needed, not welcomed and undemocratic.
I know of no-one in East Craig’s who was consulted. These proposals are the invention of those without any common sense. If the wish to make the area safer …..provide pavements on Maybury Drive…….job done!!!
There has been no consultation with East Craig’s residents about this and is being forced upon the area unfairly. Turning housing areas into one big cul-de-sac is not what is wanted or needed, it is unnecessary, and a complete waste of money. These are major changes to this area which are hugely unwelcome and will include difficulties for emergency services, bin collection having to reserve up huge roads near a school and all residents being forced onto the most polluted road in Scotland as their only route out. Listen to those who live there please.
I don’t believe anyone who lived in East Craigs or the surrounding area has been consulted.
What a joke. The local community did not ask for these road closures, nor do we want them. The vast majority of local residents are strongly opposed to these changes. We were not consulted at all on any of this. The whole thing is a diabolical move from a completely inept council.
East craigs residents have not been consulted in this and the majority of them are not happy with these changes
Absolutely no consultation, discriminates against the disabled motoring community, failure to answer tweets and emails, does not communicate. Yes a picture of how city of Edinburgh council is run.