Cyclists have welcomed new proposals to improve the capital's roads for people travelling by bike.
Proposals for Leith, Lochend and Easter Road, Queensferry and Burdiehouse include plans focusing on creating “better sustainable transport connections to support Edinburgh’s new housing developments.”
According to the city council, all potential measures were drawn up in close collaboration with the public transport team and bus operators.
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“Amongst the potential measures are walking, cycling and public realm upgrades complementing measures already proposed through the Leith Connections project, pavement widening, dropped kerbs and placemaking improvements around Lochend and Easter Road and segregated cycle lanes and enhanced crossings in the Burdiehouse area,” a council press release announced.
Improving access to bus stops is another important component of the schemes.
The plans to safely connect the city were praised as a win by cycling campaigners.
“We’re delighted to see these announcements and we find it very encouraging,” said Stella Thomson, speaking on behalf of Spokes Cycle Campaign, South Edinburgh.
“The communities at the ends of Edinburgh’s busiest roads are like little isolated islands at the moment. Speaking for Burdiehouse, it’s very hard to think about active transport at all because it’s not pleasant or safe. We want to encourage Edinburgh to connect these growing areas with the rest of the city.”
Councillor Scott Arthur, Transport and Environment Convener said Edinburgh will see tens of thousands of new houses built in the coming years, and he emphasised the importance of encouraging residents in those homes and communities to make healthier, more sustainable transport choices.
“Recent research has shown that most of us would walk, wheel or cycle more if they could access local amenities more easily. We need to encourage this kind of behaviour change if we are to achieve net zero goals, healthier lifestyles and a more pleasant city for future generations,” he said.
“This is how things used to be, and it is a great way of supporting local jobs. People’s feedback and ideas will be really important as the council develops these proposals, and I’ll also be working closely with local councillors to ensure your voice is heard.”
Four separate consultations will run until 17 July and feedback will help inform the design process in each of the areas.
Drop-in events will take place over the period of the consultations. Proposals for Queensferry will be on show at Queensferry Community Centre on 23 July (3pm to 7pm) and for Burdiehouse at Valley Park Community Centre on 30 June (3.30pm to 7.15pm). Further drop-ins are being arranged and will be announced in the coming weeks and publicised on the Council’s consultation web pages
The proposals include the following recommendations:
In Queensferry, changes in the Echline Estate, the Builyeon Road development, Viewforth Road, Scotstoun Avenue and Queensferry High School would make it easier and more pleasant to travel by foot, wheel or bike, especially to Dalmeny station and a planned new primary school at Builyeon Road. A new linear park would be introduced on part of the current Builyeon Road route as well as ‘pocket parks’ and tree-planting.
In Leith, proposals form phase three of Leith Connections. Phase three proposes active travel and public realm improvements along the Lindsay Road to Salamander Street corridor between the Hawthornvale Path in the west and Seafield shared use path in the east. Consultations have already been undertaken on recommendations for phase one, a high-quality cycle track between Foot of the Walk and Ocean Terminal, and phase two, a low traffic neighbourhood where through traffic is removed and new community spaces are created.
In Burdiehouse, the creation of multiple segregated cycle tracks were proposed, notably on the west side of A701 from Burdiehouse Village to Straiton Junction as well as from Kaimes Junction and the Burdiehouse village junction.
More cycle lanes are proposed on B701 Frogston Road East between Mortonhall Gate and Kaimes Junction. Safer and more efficient crossing points in various locations were also proposed. There were also proposals to create active travel routes and potential public transport links to connect The Limes Estate and The Murrays/Lasswade Road.
In Lochend and Easter Road, proposals include the addition of addition of a raised table at the junction beside the pedestrian entrance to Sainsbury’s, a dropped kerb and widening of entrance into the shared use path connecting to Lochend Butterfly Way, widening the footway on the south side of Albion Road, placemaking improvements to the north side of Albion Road with the potential to add a parklet and benches and planters incorporated on the south side of Albion Road.
