Tag: City Mobility Plan

20-Minute Neighbourhoods: focus on Gorgie Dalry ‘town centre’

Edinburgh’s 20-Minute Neighbourhoods strategy is progressing a programme of engagement across local town centres and high streets in the city, with a new focus on Gorgie Dalry. 

In partnership with local communities and businesses across Edinburgh, the City of Edinburgh Council is working to develop a network of healthier, greener and thriving neighbourhoods where everyone can access key services and amenities by a short walk, wheel, cycle or trip on public transport.

A key part of delivering this 20-Minute Neighbourhoods strategy is improving local town centres and high streets which provide many of the essential facilities and services that people need easy access to.

The Council’s City Mobility Plan identifies a need for Edinburgh’s town centres to be more liveable places with reduced car dependency, improved active travel connections and quality public spaces for everyone.

The initial engagement to prepare a plan for Gorgie Dalry town centre has been designed to roll out alongside planned road renewal projects to minimise potential disruption. It will start by focussing on Dalry and local schools, before looking at Gorgie in more detail in the future. 

Local residents in Gorgie Dalry are now being invited to share their thoughts on how the area around Dalry Road could be improved. Participants have the option of sharing their views either online or in person at a series of local events. 

An online survey is available until 15 January, 2023, where residents can feed back on specific parts of Dalry and the area around Tynecastle High School. They can also share their views on how they currently experience the area, what they think is good and what could be better.

The 20-Minute Neighbourhoods team will also be available to speak with local people at the corner of Dalry Road and Easter Dalry Road on the afternoons of Thursday, 1 and Saturday, 3 December. Further engagement with Dalry Primary School and Tynecastle High School students, businesses and community groups is planned over the coming weeks. 

Work is well underway on progressing the town centre and high street strategy elsewhere across the city, including in Leith, Craigmillar, Muirhouse and Queensferry. 

Plans for future improvements to Portobello, Corstorphine, Stockbridge and Bruntsfield and Morningside town centres, will be progressed to take account of the Our Future Streets framework and associated action plans once they have been agreed.

Councillor Scott Arthur, Transport and Environment Convener, said: “20-minute neighbourhoods are a new way of thinking for Edinburgh and our local town centres and high streets are at the very heart of many people’s local lives, so they are a natural starting point for this exciting strategy. 

“It is clear that these spaces could be much better at serving the daily needs of residents, businesses and other organisations, particularly by being easier for everyone to move around. They should also have identity and purpose, supporting local employment opportunities and providing an inclusive economy. 

“Each neighbourhood in the city is different, with its own unique set of requirements. That’s why it’s so important that local communities participate in this process to help us understand everyone’s needs and make sure their views shape the neighbourhood approach.

“I hope we hear from as many people as possible on how their town centre could be better for them. This is a fantastic opportunity for local people to help set a new direction for these areas so that they are more welcoming and benefit the health, wellbeing and pockets of people across the city.

“Ultimately, this strategy is aiming to deliver more sustainable, inclusive places, improve access to quality services and empower local communities across Edinburgh.“

Neglected: Drylaw Shopping Centre

The 20-Minute Neighbourhood strategy was launched in June 2021. Its vision is to enable a net zero Edinburgh where everyone can live well locally. 

The city needs this level of ambition to achieve a significant shift away from longer journeys to active travel and meet its net zero carbon target. It will help to create more social, inclusive and accessible places. This will also support physical and mental wellbeing and help to end poverty in Edinburgh.

Corstorphine Connections: pupils reimagine their school streets

Children in Corstorphine have become urban designers to help create safer, more welcoming streets in their local neighbourhood.

As COP26 takes hold of Scotland, pupils from Carrick Knowe and Corstorphine Primary Schools have been sharing ideas to help people make healthy, low carbon journeys by walking, wheeling or cycling, as well as improving the environment, in their own corner of the country.

The city council is engaging with the community as part of Corstorphine Connections, a project to introduce a Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN), and are asking residents to share their views on proposals to improve the look and feel of the area.

The design proposals have been developed after receiving initial feedback from residents, including these designs for school streets by local children. Amongst their ideas are more trees, grass and flowers, spotty patterned roads and paw prints along the street to signpost safe routes.

Councillor Lesley Macinnes, Transport and Environment Convener, said: “We owe it to future generations to create a city that is healthy, sustainable and safe to move around by foot, wheel or bike. So it’s fantastic that we’ve been able to involve our youngest citizens in the development of Edinburgh’s first LTN – they’ve got some great ideas.

“We’ve seen from neighbourhoods around the world how LTNs can have a really positive impact on travel habits and quieter, more pleasant streets for residents and businesses, so I really look forward to delivering these benefits in Edinburgh.”

Councillor Karen Doran, Transport and Environment Vice Convener, added: “We really want to bring the Corstorphine community with us as we develop this LTN, and we’ve already been listening to ideas and concerns as we move through the process.

“These designs demonstrate the impact the layout of our streets can have an all members of society, young and old, so it’s been really helpful to hear what local school pupils think.”

Dan Jeffs, Senior Urban Designer at Sustrans Scotland, said: “Sustrans has been working closely with Corstorphine Primary School and Carrick Knowe Primary School to identify placemaking measures for spaces immediately outside their schools and within the wider area.

“These measures will help create safer, more enjoyable and attractive streets and spaces for children and local residents, as well as encourage and promote walking, wheeling and cycling in the area.

“People are being invited to have their say on placemaking ideas for Corstorphine, such as hanging baskets and ‘pencil bollards’ to protect children outside the school on Corstorphine High Street and new seating and colourful road surfaces to prioritise pedestrians on Saughton Road North.

“Two options for a ‘pocket park’ on Featherhall Avenue have also been put forward for feedback.”

Plans to start the Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) process to introduce an LTN on a trial basis in Corstorphine were approved by Transport and Environment Committee in August, following engagement with the community on key issues and, subsequently, concept designs.

The LTN aims to create a safer environment, providing more opportunities for residents to walk, wheel, cycle and spend time in by reducing vehicle volume and speed.

In Corstorphine, residents have previously told the council about concerns around the level and speed of traffic there, which is backed up by CEC’s own monitoring.

By implementing an LTN the council hopes to create a calmer, more relaxed environment for travel by foot, wheel or bike. It is planning to introduce the LTN on a trial basis, using an ETRO, in early spring 2022.

LTNs form part of the City Mobility Plan, Edinburgh’s ten-year transport strategy envisioning a better-connected, safer and more inclusive net zero carbon transport system. The council is also working towards the introduction of an LTN in Leith next summer.

Find out more about Corstorphine Connections online and share your views on placemaking designs on the Council’s consultation hub before 14 November.

Daisy takes the lead on Mobility and Placemaking at city council

Planning and transport expert, Daisy Narayanan, has been appointed to a new role bringing together placemaking and transport strategy at the City of Edinburgh Council.

Daisy is currently Director of Urbanism for Sustrans and will bring with her a wealth of experience in policy and public realm design, gained through work as an architect and urban designer in India, Singapore, England and Scotland.

She is also a member of the Edinburgh Climate Commission and Scotland’s Climate Assembly’s Evidence Group, so will contribute expertise in this area to support the Council’s zero carbon goals.

In 2018 and 2019, Daisy was seconded to the Council to lead on the successful development of Edinburgh City Centre Transformation, a pioneering ten-year plan to create a vibrant, truly people-friendly city centre.

During this time, she also championed the introduction of Open Streets in Edinburgh, a monthly car-free event in the Old Town, when families and individuals could enjoy the sights and attractions of the city.

As Mobility and Placemaking Senior Manager at the Council, Daisy will focus on several ambitious strategies for the sustainable development of the city as we work towards carbon neutrality by 2030.

These include the City Mobility Plan, which was approved by Transport and Environment Committee in January, and the 20-minute neighbourhood programme.

Council Leader Adam McVey said: We are delighted to welcome Daisy back to work with us in this role, which is crucial to the sustainable and inclusive development of the Capital, as well as our net zero carbon goals.

“As we work toward a green recovery from the pandemic, we will be focusing our efforts on delivering transport and placemaking projects that truly place people at the heart of the city, and we know that Daisy will bring exactly the kind of experience and passion we need to drive this forward.”

Depute Leader Cammy Day said: “We stand on the cusp of an extremely exciting time for the future development of the city, so it’s fantastic to have Daisy on board to help deliver some of the bold planning and mobility projects we have in the pipeline.

“We know from our own work with Daisy, and her standing across the placemaking and transport profession, what a fantastic addition to the team she will be, and I look forward to working with her.”

Daisy Narayanan said: “I am delighted to be joining the City of Edinburgh Council, as the city recovers from the pandemic, and as it gets ready to tackle the climate emergency.

“This is a really wonderful role which brings together various strands of what make great places. I’m passionate about working with people to shape how their streets and places should look, and to learn from and build on the work done to date in Edinburgh.

“I am under no illusions that this will be an easy job, but I am excited by the challenge.

“When I came here in 2004 as a student, I never dreamed that I would one day have the privilege to work with people in making this beautiful city even more wonderful.

“I am determined to ensure that everyone living here gets to benefit from the city’s development as a greener, healthier place – and that these benefits extend to the outer edges of the city.”

John Lauder, Deputy CEO, Sustrans, and National Director, Sustrans Scotland, said: “Although Daisy will be missed at Sustrans, we are delighted to hear about the City of Edinburgh Council’s decision to appoint her to this role.

“It demonstrates the Council’s commitment to making Edinburgh a world-leading liveable city that allows everyone here to live and to travel in greener, healthier ways.

“Daisy has played a huge role in shaping Sustrans, thinking on liveable cities and towns for everyone, and on highlighting the importance of inclusive design and placemaking as a central tenet of urban design.

“We wish her well in her new role.”

Transport Convener: Why we need to adapt to thrive

Councillor Lesley Macinnes, Transport and Environment Convener, writes for City Transport & Traffic Innovation (CiTTi ) Magazine on the future of travel in Edinburgh:

Edinburgh is not alone in the challenges it faces. But as a historic, compact Capital, with a unique landscape and, under normal circumstances, a world-beating cultural scene, our response to these must be custom-made.

Here, transport accounts for 31% of carbon emissions, and that’s rising. Poverty rates vary considerably across the city, yet the cost of travel averages at more than £80 a week – 14% of average weekly budgets. Congestion significantly impacts daily journeys, adding up to 41% to travel time during peak hours. And our population continues to skyrocket, with a forecast growth of 12% to 600,000 by 2043.

We simply must adapt if we are to address these issues head on, to achieve our net zero carbon goals by 2030, to improve air quality and provide inclusive, accessible transport options while creating a better place to live. Our next steps will be crucial as we work to make a green recovery from the COVID crisis, helping citizens to return to normality while supporting local businesses to flourish.

In direct response to this, our City Mobility Plan sets out a ten-year plan to deliver a better connected, carbon neutral transport system, a healthier environment and a thriving, inclusive future.

We’ve spent the last three years honing this strategy, engaging closely with the people who live and work here, with partner organisations and with accessibility, active travel, transport and business groups.

We’ve analysed Edinburgh’s specific travel patterns and data as well as drawing from pioneering cities around the world. A major public consultation received significant support for proposals to overhaul movement to and around the city.

For that reason, we know we’ve created a plan which meets people’s needs but also pushes forward with the kind of changes we must make if we are to address the climate emergency and create a better quality of life for everyone. 

Of course, as we emerge from the COVID pandemic, we will remain in a period of uncertainty, so the Plan will be flexible to take account of longer-term impacts as they become clearer.

However, over the next decade we’ve committed to delivering a bold programme of policy measures to meet these goals. By encouraging a change in behaviour towards environmentally friendly transport, while providing flexible and affordable public transport fares, we’ll help people to make sustainable choices.

Plans to expand the tram and mass rapid transit network and improve bus routes will further support the transition from private car journeys while introducing ‘mobility hubs’ in communities and a city operations centre to monitor traffic will be pivotal to reducing the impact of polluting vehicles and congestion. 

We’ve pledged to create more liveable places less dominated by motor traffic and to build on Edinburgh’s network of walking, wheeling and cycling routes. We’re already a compact, walkable city, where 45% of households don’t own a car – we want to make getting from A to B by foot, bike or wheelchair even easier.

This people-focused approach was brought to life with the publication of new concept designs for the George Street and First New Town public realm improvements project.

The £32m scheme is central to the broader transformation of the city centre and a key element of the City Mobility Plan, and the new designs offer a glimpse of how we can create more liveable places in the city.

Under the proposals, we would turn this car-dominated street into a largely pedestrianised area, with a cycling thoroughfare and places to sit, play and hold events. The designs, which conserve the street’s heritage, have already been well received, and if approved by committee we want to deliver the improvements by 2025.

Our commitment to support 20-minute neighbourhoods as part of the plan will help to create great, liveable places to spend time in too. Thanks to the compact make-up of our city we want to go even further to facilitate 10-minute neighbourhoods, helping people to shift away from longer journeys to active travel and to meet our net zero carbon target. 

We’re not starting from scratch with the City Mobility Plan. We’re recognised as one of the most liveable cities in Europe and since the ‘90s we’ve made great strides to enhance transport systems and invest in streets and public spaces.

This ranges from the completion of 95km of off-road cycleways and walkways between 1995 and 1999 to the launch of Edinburgh Trams in 2014 and becoming the first Scottish city to implement a citywide network of 20mph routes in 2018.

Ongoing projects, such as the completion of Trams to Newhaven and the introduction of a Low Emission Zone, put us at the forefront of sustainable transport development.

These have all been ambitious ventures, but we’ve achieved them, or soon will. As we move forward with the next ten years of transport and mobility in the Capital, we want, and need, to be just as bold, for the sake of its future and for the generations of people who will live, work and visit here.

This article was originally published by CiTTi Magazine.

Council publishes ten year City Mobility Plan

‘This is a bold, forward-looking strategy’

Transport & Environment Convener Cllr Lesley Macinnes

The city council has today published it’s ten-year plan to deliver a ‘better connected, net zero carbon transport system, a healthier environment and a thriving, inclusive Capital’.

Edinburgh’s City Mobility Plan has been inspired by forward-thinking cities around the world embracing challenges posed by climate change, poverty and inequality.

Subject to approval at a special meeting of Transport and Environment Committee next Friday (19 February), the Plan will replace Edinburgh’s Local Transport Strategy, setting out a strategic approach to the sustainable and effective movement of people and goods to and around the city over the next decade.

Amongst measures included in the Plan are the commitment to encourage a change in public behaviour towards the use of sustainable transport, the expansion of the tram and mass rapid transit network, improvements to bus routes, creating ‘mobility hubs’ in existing communities and new developments and introducing a city operations centre to monitor traffic.

Additionally, the Plan pledges to create more liveable places less dominated by motor traffic and to build on the city’s network of walking, wheeling and cycling routes.

The final Plan follows several years of engagement with the public, stakeholders and partners. Most recently, a consultation in 2020 gathered more than 1800 comments on draft proposals with support demonstrated for all policy measures.

The council says that, thanks to feedback, ‘we have been able to strengthen and expand upon these policy measures, which centre around three themes: People, Movement and Place’.

The updated Plan acknowledges the impact the COVID pandemic has had on transport demands and mobility patterns, and how a green recovery can harness the associated effects of lower traffic levels.

Alongside the adopted Local Development Plan and emerging City Plan 2030, the City Mobility Plan also champions 20-minute neighbourhoods, an internationally recognised concept where local services are within a 20-minute walk of your front door.

It goes even further to envision neighbourhoods where people’s daily needs can be met within a 10-minute walk or wheel from their house.

Transport and Environment Convener Councillor Lesley Macinnes said: “Edinburgh is a truly unique city in terms of its heritage, architecture and striking landscape, home to some of history’s greatest innovators. Now we want to push the boundaries as we look to the future of transport and mobility here.

“The finalised City Mobility Plan recognises the need to revolutionise the way we move around the Capital if we are to tackle the host of challenges we face, both locally and on a global scale.

“Transport is the biggest generator of carbon emissions in Edinburgh and our commitment to be net zero carbon by 2030 depends on a step-change in the way we travel, a change which would also significantly impact on air quality, congestion and road safety.

“More than that, our approach to transport addresses poverty and the cost of travel, the barriers facing those with mobility difficulties and the economic benefits of a better-connected, liveable environment.

“This is a bold, forward-looking strategy, befitting of this pioneering city, which will transform our streets, neighbourhoods and connections with the rest of the world for generations to come.”

Transport and Environment Vice Convener Councillor Karen Doran said: “This comprehensive vision of transport and mobility in Edinburgh has been years in the making and takes into account the needs and views of lots of different members of society, from individuals to families, businesses to freight drivers.

“We want you to be able to make sustainable transport choices easily, whether that’s leaving the car at home and travelling to work by tram or spending more time in your local neighbourhood on foot, wheelchair or bike.

“By providing the options for clean, green and healthy travel, we’re helping the public to help all of us achieve an inclusive, accessible and net zero carbon future for Edinburgh.”

Having collaborated closely with residents, local groups and businesses in the development of the Plan, the council says it wants to continue to involve them as we move towards a greener, fairer and more inclusive future.

The council adds: ‘By placing people at the heart of the Plan, we aim to offer everyone sustainable choices for moving around the city, helping Edinburgh meet its target of net zero emissions by 2030 and providing safer, cheaper and healthier options for every member of society.

‘In order to achieve this, we have set out a ‘Path to 2030’ and an implementation plan for policy measures which can be delivered in the short, medium and long term. Actions include –

2023 – Delivering now, planning for the future:
Construction of tram route to Newhaven will be complete and operational; a comprehensive review of bus routes in the city will have taken place; a Low Emission Zone will be in operation; we will have introduced a Workplace Parking Levy, subject to consultation and approval; Council-owned public transport companies will have been reformed to offer better integration and value for money.

2025 – Bolder actions:
A comprehensive mass rapid transit plan for the city and region will be completed, including new bus and tram systems; the business case for a north-south tram line will be agreed, linking Granton to the BioQuarter and beyond; a new bus route network will be in place; iconic streets will become increasingly traffic free; George Street will be transformed; the development of a strategic network of walking/wheeling and cycle routes will open up active travel for all; the 20-minute neighbourhoods concept will be starting to deliver local benefits.

2030 – A city transformed:
The mass transit network, including tram, will have been extended west; the city’s seven park and ride facilities will have been upgraded; some arterial routes will be used for mass commuting by bike; the city centre will be largely car-free; a comprehensive city freight and servicing operations system will be in place; the implementation of the Waverley Station Masterplan will be underway.

Once in place, the implementation plan will be monitored and regularly updated. Its success will be measured against several objectives, including an increase in the number of trips made by active and sustainable modes of travel, ensuring transport options in the city are inclusive and affordable and the reduction of harmful emissions from road transport.’

Find out more about the City Mobility Plan and read the full report, City Mobility Plan, on the Council website.

‘Vast majority of respondents’ support council’s Mobility Plan

The city council’s draft ‘vision’ for accessible, affordable and sustainable travel in Edinburgh has found support from two-thirds of respondents to a citywide consultation.

Sixty-seven per cent of respondents to the Draft City Mobility Plan consultation backed the strategy to overhaul transport and mobility over the next decade, including proposals to create a largely car-free city centre, introduce mass bike commuting on arterial routes and for seamless ticketing between different forms of transport. Seventy per cent of participants also agreed with the council’s shorter-term 2022 vision.

Between January and April more than 1800 comments were made on the draft plan, which sets out an approach to transforming the way we move people, goods and services to and around the Capital.

Engagement was carried out alongside consultation on the Choices for City Plan 2030, which sets out council proposed options for changes to policies in Edinburgh’s next local development plan.

Feedback will be discussed by Transport and Environment Committee on Thursday (1 October).

The council received ‘overwhelmingly ‘positive responses’ to a range of policy measures proposed as part of the plan. Amongst these, 83% support the co-ordination of bus, tram and bike hire operations, 78% approved of introducing transport hubs in new developments while 72% agreed with reducing levels of on-street parking.

Transport and Environment Convener Councillor Lesley Macinnes said: “As a city we are making real headway in tackling the manifold challenges posed by climate change, poor air quality and congestion, to name a few, but there is always more to be done.

“It is extremely encouraging that the vast majority of respondents to our Draft City Mobility Plan consultation support our vision for sustainable, affordable and joined-up transport in the Capital.

“We understand the impact Covid-19 will have on any plans but we’re also aware of the positive effect quieter streets have had on walking, cycling and wheeling, with numbers surging during lockdown.

“As we progress with our vision we want to maintain this enthusiasm by providing more, improved options for travel by foot, bike, wheelchair and public transport.”

Transport and Environment Vice Convener Councillor Karen Doran said: “We are working towards an exciting future for transport and mobility here, with City Centre Transformation, the implementation of a Low Emission Zones and carbon neutrality by 2030 amongst our ambitious goals.

“The City Mobility Plan is integral to these schemes and this feedback will help us to create a final strategy which will benefit people across Edinburgh.”

The Draft City Mobility Plan addresses key challenges facing Edinburgh including rising CO2 emissions, poor air quality, congestion and issues accessing public transport, in the context of an increasing population and the threat of a climate emergency.

Proposals are grouped around four themes: Enhancing Public Transport, People Friendly Streets, Planning New Developments and Managing Demand.

The latest report also addresses the significant impact of Covid-19 on the way people move around the city, and the need to review the steps to our 2030 vision in light of this.

While the council received positive responses across the themes, detailed comments highlighted concerns associated with specific measures.

Amongst these was a desire for public transport to be quicker, calls for safer, car-free cycle routes and the need to retain disabled parking should on-street parking be reduced. This feedback will help identify issues we can mitigate as we progress with the plan, as well as opportunities to maximise the positive impact of proposals.

If agreed by Transport and Environment Committee, a finalised City Mobility Plan will be brought back to committee early next year. This will be informed by the consultation response, as well as a survey of travel behaviour across the city, Phase Two of the Edinburgh Sustainable Transport Study and assessment of the impacts of Covid-19 on travel needs.

A delivery plan packaging and phasing the implementation of actions and policy measures will be developed to support the finalised plan.

Read the full report, City Mobility Plan – Public Consultation and Engagement Key Messages and Next Steps, on the Council website.