A woman living with disabilities in Leith has described her 'nightmare' situation, after waking up to discover changes on her street.
As moves are made to transform the area into a Low Traffic Neighbourhood, planters and bollards have appeared at various locations in Leith. Cathy Mungall-Baldvinsdottir, who lives by the Shore, discovered the changes outside her home on Coburg Street.
To her, this means she can no longer be picked up from outside her property - something that is crucial to her as she struggles with mobility. Edinburgh Council says they are 'liaising with ward councillors to implement a solution'.
READ MORE - West Lothian police confirm schoolboy died of natural causes as family release statement
Chas Booth, Green councillor for Leith, told us 'changes have been agreed to the layout of planters and bollards which will allow her to be picked up and dropped off immediately in front of her gate'.
Speaking to Edinburgh Live, Cathy said: "I have different disabilities and health conditions going on my mobility impaired because I had a bone decomposing condition and traumatic arthritis in my legs when I was in my teens which led to two hip replacements.
"My mobility has never been cured. I wasn't walking for seven years as a teenager.
"On a very bad day when I'm in a lot of pain and my condition is variable, but on a very bad day when I'm in pain, my walking limit is about zero to 15m maximum with crutches and on a high dose of painkillers.
"When I say zero, sometimes I'm bed bound to the point I can't walk at all or I can just shuffle the corridor on one crutch and that's about it."
Cathy's long standing mobility issues mean she often requires a taxi to pick her up directly outside her home to take her to appointments, something that can no longer be done after the bollards and planters were placed on Coburg Street.
She continued: "Neurological fatigue means I have to be sensible times when I'm simply unable to drive because my mind is too tired and there, there are times when I can drive for a short time but not a long time.
"Since the age of, well, since like the age of 12, I've been dependent on cars to get around. I don't find it possible to use public transport because a it's too far to walk to the bus stop or the tram stop.
"I think it was a week ago, Tuesday, I woke up and there was a lot of chat on our building WhatsApp group from the neighbors and a lot of pictures of what had appeared outside the front gate. I was well enough to go downstairs, on that day to have a look and it was just a complete like heart stopping shock to see that.
"It's all just been a total nightmare."
When Cathy is picked up, cars would need to stop an extra 10 to 15m away - something that can be a serious problem for her when she's having a bad day. If she's well enough to use her own car, the changes mean up to 20 minutes extra driving time because of the detour.
Cathy told us: "To get to the other side of the building on a busy traffic day that can be up to 20 minutes extra.
"The sort of extra 10m 15m depending where a car has stopped, may not be much to some people, but to me on a bad day, it's not doable. It makes me feel like I'm trapped."
In response, Councillor Scott Arthur, Transport and Environment Convener for Edinburgh Council, said: “Leith Connections has been developed to create safer, more welcoming spaces to walk, wheel and cycle, helping people of all abilities to relax and spend time in their local community.
"Throughout the design process we’ve worked closely with the community and have taken into consideration their feedback when developing the plans. However, we appreciate this resident’s concerns, and we’re currently liaising with ward councillors to implement a solution which retains safe and welcoming spaces for local people.”
Chas Booth, Green councillor for Leith, added: "I’m very sorry to hear about the impact the original design for the Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) on this street has had on my constituent.
"I’m glad that council officers have been able to visit her and hear first-hand about her concerns. As a result of that visit, changes have been agreed to the layout of planters and bollards which will allow her to be picked up and dropped off immediately in front of her gate. I hope these changes will be implemented in the next week or so and will bring some comfort to my constituent.”
Booth continued: "Given the numerous other constituents who have been in touch to welcome the LTN changes and express what a joy it is to be able to open their windows without hearing the roar of traffic, I’m glad we have found a solution which retains the benefits of the LTN while also meeting the needs of those who need a car for access reasons."
READ NEXT:
Beautiful Edinburgh six-bed 'castle' property with summerhouse up for sale
Police in Edinburgh race to scene after two car smash at busy main road
King Charles to visit Edinburgh next month to receive Honours of Scotland
West Lothian police confirm schoolboy died of natural causes as family release statement
The forgotten Edinburgh village that was wiped out for Waverley Station
