Edinburgh’s first Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) is to be introduced as part of Spaces for People improvements.
The city council will be implementing a series of temporary measures in the East Craigs area of the city over the coming weeks to help people walk, cycle and wheel safely, including segregated cycle lanes, closing roads to ‘through’ traffic and a bus gate. These interventions will add to temporary measures put in place across the city since May to support safe physical distancing.
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.
Recent feedback to consultation on the West Edinburgh Link (WEL) project demonstrated strong support for proposals to improve conditions for walking and cycling, enhance public spaces and facilitate sustainable transport.
Suggestions to make it easier and safer to travel by foot, bike or wheelchair received via the Commonplace online tool also influenced council plans for an LTN, along with the local school’s travel plan and traffic surveys of vehicle volumes and speeds in the area.
Once implemented, the council monitor the effects of the LTN, making amendments if appropriate, and will be engaging with the community to help shape the scheme. Any plans for a permanent LTN, as part of WEL, would draw from this, though further, significant consultation with residents would be carried out before any decisions are made.
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.”
The key changes being introduced as part of the LTN in East Craigs include:
- Introduction of segregated cycleways along Drum Brae North
- Introduction of advisory cycle lanes on part of Drum Brae South
- Improvements to junctions in East Craigs to make them safer for cyclists and pedestrians
- Introduction of a bus gate on Craigs Road
- Introduction of six road closures, with filtered permeability for bicycles and pedestrians, in the East Craigs area including: North Gyle Terrace, North Gyle Road, Craigs Gardens, Craigs Loan and Craigmount Avenue North
Emergency measures to support walking, cycling and wheeling while observing physical distancing have already been implemented across Edinburgh. These include segregated cycle lanes, widened pavements and road closures both in the city centre, on routes to parks and green spaces and in local shopping streets. We’re also introducing improvements around schools as pupils return.
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.
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This is another half hearted idea being sneaked in under the umbrella of Covid by Edinburgh Council. There was NO proper consultation over these ill thought out plans. The first we heard of it (only a few weeks ago) was when a concerned neighbour prepared leaflets that he had written himself and posted through the doors. I’ve lived in Craigmount for over 25 years and have never been aware of or seen excessive traffic in the area. One exit/entry point per area is crazy forcing residents onto an already busy Drumbrae or Glasgow Road meaning that there will be times when the area is sealed in. Why are the council punishing the residents of Craigmount / East Craigs for excessive Commuter traffic? I think money could have been better spent during times of austerity perhaps on parks, surroundings, the return of public toilets and free garden rubbish collections. Get a grip Edinburgh Council. This scheme doesn’t take into consideration the already brilliant network of paths around the city. It took several years to get a move on repairing the path between Roseburn and Stockbridge and Edinburgh is full of pot holes. Perhaps it might be a better idea to repair existing problems preventing safe cycling?
Shockingly disngenuous article. Blocking roads is not a solution to the traffic problems that local people face. Why are the Green party supporting a proposal that will increase carbon emissions and increase journey times for people who live here?
No consultation. No independent studies. No procedures followed. Only a lazy, high-handed and patronising attitude from incomer councillors that don’t live in the area and have no idea about what solutions are needed.
Why not do a proper job of consultation and come up with a green traffic plan that everyone can buy into and not the just headline grabbing politicians.
Hello Donald, In the CEC press release the Transport Convener says: ‘In East Craigs we know that local people want to see conditions for walking, cycling and travel by public transport improved.’ She doesn’t say HOW they know this, but her Vice Convener does goes on to say: ‘the measures are supported by previous research and feedback.’ This suggests that there has been some form of consultation with local people – but is this not the case? I do note that the councillors say there will be ‘further (?)’ consultation with the community before decisions are made to make the schemes permanent so I hope that you, and like-minded residents who have also contacted NEN, make their views heard when the opportunity comes!
Having had no consultation on these new measures. I would like to add also as a resident in East Craig’s area that I am totally against these road closures. I invite you over here right now to look at traffic from Maybury Road to Barnton, and you want to add the whole of East Craig’s!! the congestion will be off the scale, how do emergency services get through? What about pollution? Listen to the community, we do not want this!
Really Lesley? The WEL data did not refer to an LTN in East Craigs and was collated well before Covid-19 was on the scene. 1300 residents signed a petition within a few days of this announcement. They do not want to be locked in – having just been let out. Stop pedalling these lies please.
Absolutely no consultation with residents. This will result in increased pollution and reduce safety for cars, cyclists and pedestrians on Drum Brae. As stated above numerous objections from residents have all been totally ignored
This is absolute nonsense. Craigmount/North Gyle/East Craigs is already a low-traffic neighbourhood. There is no problem walking or cycling around the area. Blocking junction to create artificial bottlenecks will increase congestion in and around the area and turn it into a high-traffic, high-pollution neighbourhood.
These are absolute lies from Lesley MacInnes the vast majority of over 1000 households in this area are against these road closures! We will not accept the closures and will do everything in our power to stop them them!
What a load of lies the community of east craigs do not want this and are very unhappy this is being forced on them. 400 residents objected to this plan.