Lothian MSP, Miles Briggs, has said that Edinburgh Council must urgently review their Space for People project to meet the needs of people with sight loss.
A recent FOI request by Mr Briggs revealed that no safety audits had been carried out by Edinburgh City Council ahead of putting new measures in place.
Guide Dogs Scotland have contacted Edinburgh City Council about a number of concerns they have with the Space for People initiative, the foremost being the lack of consultation with most vulnerable road users.
A key concern is that the Commonplace online map, an online tool for consulting on changes, has not been fully accessible to people with sight loss.
Another concern raised is a lack of transparency, with the walking and cycling charity Sustrans, managing the funds, providing advice and having developed the evaluation framework for the programme.
Particular safety concerns which have been highlighted include ‘floating bus stops’ and ‘bus boarders’ that require pedestrians to cross an uncontrolled crossing before and after they board a bus. For people with sight loss, this presents a particular challenge as many won’t be able to see approaching cyclists.
Lothian MSP, Miles Briggs, said: “The ill-thought-out Spaces for People initiative has created a number of significant changes to streets and roads across Edinburgh and has clearly impacted negatively on people with sight loss.
“From the outset Edinburgh City Council has failed to consult with local residents and must now act and take on board this guidance from Guide Dogs Scotland and fully consult with those who are visually impaired.
“Floating bus stops and bus borders are issues which have been highlighted as especially hazardous for people who have sight loss and these real concerns must be addressed urgently.”
Edinburgh has secured almost £2m in additional funding from Sustrans to improve conditions for walking, cycling and wheeling, it’s been announced.
The £1.95m award, comprising of Spaces for People and Places for Everyone funding, will add to £5m already received from the Scottish Government, via Sustrans, to implement temporary measures supporting travel by foot, bike or wheelchair.
This latest boost will help us to complete the proposed programme of temporary improvements first approved by Policy and Sustainability Committee in May. It will also allow the Spaces for People team to enhance schemes where possible, carry out more road and pavement resurfacing and increase the removal of street clutter.
Since May, we’ve introduced many temporary changes across the city to provide safe and protected routes, helping pedestrians and cyclists to travel while physically distancing. Amongst these are widened pavements in key shopping streets, segregated cycle lanes on main roads, closures on roads leading to popular parks and beauty spots, and improvements around schools.
Transport and Environment Convener Councillor Lesley Macinnes said: “This is fantastic news and is testament to the hard work of our Spaces for People team, who are developing schemes which support people to walk, cycle and wheel while COVID restrictions are in place.
Additional funding will help us to deliver an even better package of routes and improvements which not only create more room for physical distancing but help residents to make healthy, active travel choices whenever they can.
Transport and Environment Vice Convener Councillor Karen Doran said: “We’ve already delivered a whole range of projects – helping children to get to school safely, creating space to spend time on shopping streets and giving cyclists safer, segregated routes for travel.
“This funding will help us provide additional improvements including removing street clutter to help reduce obstacles to pedestrian movement and improving some projects already on the ground, for example by renewing surfacing, and potentially adding some new projects.”
An update report to Transport and Environment Committee last week outlined the next steps for Spaces for People in Edinburgh, including amendments to existing interventions, several more complex schemes and improvements developed as a result of public feedback.
This has been referred to Full Council today (Thursday 19 November) for final approval.
Find out more about Spaces for People on the Council website.
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