consultation – Page 35 – The NEN

Community Council slams Spaces for People consultation

New Town & Broughton CC has responsed to the city council’s ‘retaining Spaces for People measures’ consultation – and has given the process a scathing thumbs-down:

Executive Summary

As noted below, the New Town and Broughton Community Council (NTBCC) considers the consultation to be deeply flawed.

The inclusion of questions about measures not yet implemented is highly questionable. Until there has been an opportunity to evaluate the success or otherwise of any particular measures, it is impossible to make any valid judgment on whether they should be retained or removed.

Many of the questions group cycling and walking together but the needs of these two groups are quite different making it impossible to properly judge the merits of specific measures for each of these groups.

The survey is designed to encourage simple yes/no answers to questions about whether measures should be retained and does too little to obtain any insight into the consequences both favourable and otherwise from the implementation of the measures.

The Commonplace Mapping tool would have been a far more effective means of obtaining genuine and considered feedback on the various measures that have been introduced. This lack of qualitative feedback will hamper any decision making by Council officials and Councillors.

Edinburgh Council and its citizens deserve better than this hastily prepared and poorly designed survey.

With regard to the specific schemes already implemented in our area:

We are in favour of continuing with the changes to The Mound and Princes Street East with some provisos.
We are opposed to the measures on Waverley Bridge and London Road being retained and indeed believe that they should removed before the end of the current TTRO’s.
We do not agree that any of the measures yet to be introduced in our area including those to Broughton Street, Broughton Roundabout, Bellevue, Rodney Street or Canonmills should be considered for retention until there has been an opportunity to better assess their effectiveness.
We are also very concerned about the impact on traffic in our area of the planned changes to South Bridge and would urge that implementation is delayed until the consequences of the planned restrictions to vehicular traffic can be better understood.

General Comments

Despite the deadline for submissions being delayed to 5 April, it still appears that the whole process is being rushed. We do not agree with consulting on the retention of measures that have not been implemented yet. Until stakeholders including the public and local businesses have had an opportunity to evaluate the success or otherwise of any particular measures, it is impossible for them to make any valid judgment on whether they should be retained or removed. It is suggested that the results on any planned measures are discounted and that a new consultation, if required, is held after the measures have been in place for at least six months. This would allow counts of the number of pedestrians and cyclists using these temporary measures to be taken to support or otherwise their retention.
There are three separate but almost identical surveys (for the Public, Businesses and Stakeholders) with the main difference being the number of words that the respondents can submit as comments. As a result, many of the questions do not make sense for someone completing the survey on behalf of a business or stakeholder group. There are clearly issues that will affect businesses and wider stakeholder groups that the survey is not able to capture. It is therefore difficult to understand how the results of such a survey will be used for any future decision-making.
Many of the questions group cycling and walking together. The needs of these two groups are quite different and as such it will be impossible to properly assess the significance of the answers and thus draw any conclusions about the merits or otherwise of specific measures for each of these groups. There are also no specific questions about the needs of those using public transport. The implementation of segregated cycle lanes has introduced new hazards for bus users at bus stops. Asking questions about the experience of bus users would have been useful in better understanding these hazards and in identifying suitable mitigation measures.
The questionnaire requires simple yes/no answers about which schemes should be retained or removed with limited opportunity to comment on the specifics of particular measures. It is unlikely that the responses will provide a valid basis for understanding which specific elements of the schemes are working or not. There is no requirement for adding comments and therefore someone completing the survey may vote in favour or against a series of measures in an area but 100% agreement or otherwise with a particular scheme should not be inferred. There should have been greater emphasis on understanding why the responses were for removal or retention. For example the closure of Waverley Bridge has required the buses that normally terminated there to be relocated mostly to St Andrews Square or Regent Road. In neither location are there any facilities for buses to wait until commencing their return journeys. The pavement on Regent Road where the buses stop is very narrow and it is impossible to social distance without stepping on to the carriageway creating new hazards for pedestrians.
The survey encourages all or none responses, which may therefore overwhelm any more specific responses. Given that the survey is covering the whole of Edinburgh it is inevitable that awareness of the various measures will not be uniform among respondents. The views of a community most directly by specific measures may be swamped by the responses of others. The Commonplace Mapping tool that was used to establish where many of the measures were required would have been a better tool to gain feedback on which schemes were working or not.
There is nowhere in the survey to record general points on the various measures including for example the conservation/heritage arguments, the continued presence of street clutter, the additional hazards associated with pavements which include sections partly at a lower road level, the lack of progress on increasing pedestrian priority at crossings. Our comments on each of these issues is shown below:
1. Heritage Issues – we understand that given the emergency nature of many of the measures especially those introduced in the first period of the pandemic that it was not possible to ensure that the measures met requirements for such infrastructure changes to satisfy the normal expectations for a World Heritage Site but this can no longer be used as an excuse to perpetuate the sub-standard designs that have been implemented in many areas across Edinburgh. Any continuation beyond the current period of the TTRO’s should be subject to full heritage assessment.
2. Street Clutter – the result of many of the measures introduced across the City has been to increase the level of street clutter that is not only unsightly but creates additional hazards particularly for pedestrians. Any extension of the current measures should be accompanied by a campaign to reduce the level of street clutter to improve the public realm. This again would have been a good use of the Commonplace Mapping tool to help identify any surplus street clutter.
3. Pavement Hazards – the extension of pavements into the carriageway with wands to separate that space from the main carriageway or even no separation apart from road markings from adjacent cycle paths results in significant additional hazards for pedestrians due the changing levels and proximity with other road users. Where such pavement widening is retained it must be achieved with a single level of pavement of properly maintained paving and drop down kerbs at any road junctions. Cyclists and pedestrians should not be expected to share space. Any cycle lanes that are retained should be fully segregated from any pedestrian areas and of sufficient width to ensure proper separation.
4. Pedestrian Crossings – there are many examples within our own area and also highlighted by Living Streets across Edinburgh of crossings at traffic lights where the time that pedestrians are expected to wait before crossing is too high and the time allowed for them to cross is too short. This does not reflect the stated priorities of the Council or the Sustainable Travel Hierarchy that should put greater emphasis on pedestrian movement. Again the Commonplace Mapping tool could have been used to great advantage to identify specific problem areas. Given that changing the timing on traffic lights would not incur any significant financial cost, the problems already identified by Living Streets and others should be addressed now rather than wait for the completion of this review.

Existing Schemes

There are a number of schemes within our area and we have focussed our feedback on these measures.

Princes Street East – this scheme places bus gates at the east end of Princes Street and on South St David’s Street, which operate during the daytime to restrict unauthorised vehicles from entering this part of Princes Street. It was initially proposed that the pavement on the south side of this section of Princes Street (between North Bridge and Waverley Bridge) would be widened but this did not happen (despite the Council’s own website stating that it has). There is also clearly an issue with compliance as many non-authorised vehicles are still entering Princes Street, which will require improved signage and more effective enforcement. We are in favour of this measure but the original plans for pavement widening should proceed, as it is very congested in this area due to the station entrance and a number of bus stops.
Waverley Bridge – we considered that the closure of this road was unnecessary when first proposed, as the pavements were already very wide. Closure of this road to the many buses that terminated here has resulted in their relocation to St Andrews Square and Regent Road. In the latter case as many as eight buses at a time are waiting here before starting their return journeys blocking parking bays and creating additional hazards for pedestrians walking to and from Princes Street. We are against this measure being made permanent and indeed believe that it should be removed as soon as possible.
The Mound – we are in favour of the segregated cycle lanes being retained but on the understanding that by creating a permanent north south segregated cycle route from the city centre that North Bridge should not have any restrictions imposed on vehicular traffic so that there remains a north south vehicular route on the east side of the City for private and commercial vehicles. This route is critical for the effective management of traffic on this side of the City, which may be expected to increase once the St James Quarter reopens later this year. There are no obvious diversion routes for traffic that would otherwise use North and South Bridge. We are in particular concerned that any restriction to traffic on this corridor will increase the volume of traffic using the roads around Holyrood Park that is such an important areas for exercise for many residents in this part of Edinburgh. Also given that there will remain a number of bus services using the Mound the safety of bus stops needs further consideration.
London Road – we were against the introduction of a fragmented section of segregated cycle path for westbound cyclists only along the south side of this road from Easter Road to Leith Walk, as it would encourage cyclists into an area where the construction activities for the Tram work would be most active over the next 18 months. We are also concerned that until the Tram works are complete there will not be any connection to the existing cycle network on Leith Walk around Picardy Place. Based on our observations most cyclists are avoiding using this section of cycle path as the road surface is poorly maintained close to the kerbs where the cycle path is located and there is a frequent need to leave the lane to negotiate the bus stops along the route. We proposed that an alternative route should be implemented along Regent Road to better connect with current and planned cycle infrastructure and this remains our view. We are against this measure being made permanent and unless the current deficiencies are addressed it should be removed immediately. We would welcome discussions on creating an alternative cycle route along Regent Road.

Planned Schemes

There are a number of planned schemes within our area and we have focussed our feedback on these schemes but the proposed scheme for South Bridge has the potential to cause significant disruption to traffic flows in our part of the City and this is included below.

Broughton Street – the lack of any measures at the top of Broughton Street is a major deficiency of the planned scheme as is the lack of any traffic calming or improved pedestrian crossings. We have made our views clear on the small section of cycle path and the movement of the loading bays to the side streets. For all these reasons we are opposed to the measures being retained with the exception of the pavement build out at Barony Street. Indeed we would like to see further pavement build outs at junctions along Broughton Street to increase pedestrian space and slow traffic turning into these side streets.
Broughton Roundabout – we do not know what will be eventually approved for this junction but apart from the widening of the pavements none of the proposed measures address the key issues identified by the Commonplace Mapping. We are against these measures being made permanent but that we are strongly in support of a radical improvement to this junction that prioritises the needs of pedestrians and cyclists. This should be part of a review of all of the streets leading to and from this roundabout and in particular East London Street.
Bellevue/Rodney Street/Canonmills – while it is too early to make any decisions about the measures on this route, we would be in agreement with replacing the planned TTRO with an Experimental TRO to allow further evaluation of the measures to be made.
South Bridge – this measure will introduce a bus gate restricting traffic entering South/North Bridge and effectively closing off this side of the City centre to private and commercial traffic during daytime. Traffic will therefore need to find diversions around this blockage, which will mean increased traffic congestion on small side streets and increased traffic through Holyrood Park neither of which is desirable. As with the other planned measures it is too soon to make any decisions about whether the intended measures are retained permanently but for the reasons stated we are opposed to this measure being retained and indeed would prefer to see the plans for a bus gate cancelled.

Usdaw Ne’er Day trading petition secures a Scottish Government consultation … after 14 year delay!

Retail trade union Usdaw has at last secured a commitment from the Scottish Government to consult on large stores closing on New Year’s Day.

The union submitted a petition to the Scottish Parliament and spent a year providing evidence to convince the Public Petitions Committee to press Ministers to make progress on a consultation.

Jamie Hepburn MSP (Minister for Business, Fair Work and Skills) wrote to Usdaw yesterday (Thursday) confirming that the Scottish Government will now conduct the necessary consultation, as set out in the Christmas Day and New Year’s Day Trading (Scotland) Act 2007. However no timetable has yet been set for the consultation.

Stewart Forrest – Usdaw’s Scottish Divisional Officer says: “Confirmation that a consultation on large stores closing on New Year’s Day will now take place, after an unnecessary 14 year delay, is a step forward in our campaign to get a proper break for shopworkers over the festive period.

“We are disappointed that the Minister has not set out a timetable for the consultation and we will continue to press for further progress.

“As key workers delivering the essential service of keeping the nation fed, shopworkers deserve a decent break over the festive period. They have worked long hours in difficult circumstances throughout the pandemic, faced unprecedented levels of abuse and worried every working day about catching the virus and taking it home to their families.

“The very least that key workers in retail can expect is that the Scottish Government shows their appreciation for the essential work they’ve done throughout this appalling pandemic by progressing the call for a proper festive break.

“However this is not just a campaign for the pandemic, our members have for many years demanded a proper break after the extremely busy and stressful shopping period in the run-up to Christmas. 98% say that large stores should be closed and only 4% are happy to work on New Year’s Day or 2 January. Hogmanay and New Year is a special holiday, but this is not reflected in the experience of many retail workers, with three-quarters saying they spend too little time with friends and family.

“On behalf of Scotland’s retail workers we are urging the Scottish Government to open the consultation as soon as possible, so that the necessary legislative processes can be completed in time for 1 January 2022.”

Consultation on miners’ strike pardon

The Scottish Government is consulting on the detail of plans to pardon miners convicted of certain offences during the 1984-85 strike.

An independent review into the impact of policing on communities during the strike, led by John Scott QC, recommended that the Scottish Government should introduce legislation to pardon miners convicted for certain matters related to the strike, subject to establishing suitable criteria.

Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf has now launched a consultation seeking views on the qualifying criteria for a pardon.

Mr Yousaf said: “I am determined to make swift progress on this matter, given the passage of time since 1984-85. That is why we have acted quickly to publish this consultation now.

“The consultation paper sets out potential criteria – based on the criteria suggested in the independent report – and asks for views. It is important that we have a rationale for the qualifying criteria which is well-thought through and informed by a range of views. That is why I encourage anyone with an interest in these important events to take this opportunity to have a say. The responses to the consultation will help shape the legislation that will implement the pardon.

“The miners’ strike was one of the most bitter and divisive industrial disputes in living memory and I hope that the independent review, this consultation and the legislation for a pardon will go some way to aid reconciliation – and to help heal wounds within Scotland’s mining communities.

“I have again written to the Home Secretary Priti Patel renewing the call for her to instruct a full UK public inquiry into the policing of the strike.”

In 2018, the Scottish Government commissioned an independent review into the impact of policing on affected communities during the miners’ strike 1984-85.

The Justice Secretary announced in October last year that the Government would accept the review’s single recommendation.

People can read and respond to the consultation – which runs until 4 June, on the Citizen Space website.

Spaces for People consultation: Don’t forget to have your say

The city Council is considering whether to keep in place some of the temporary ‘Spaces for People’ measures that are helping people to physically distance and travel safely during the Covid-19 pandemic.

This is because many of the temporary measures are likely to help us achieve the Council’s long-term objectives to improve how we travel, making it easier for people to get about and to help us meet our net carbon-free targets.

These plans include:

encouraging people to switch to more sustainable ways to travel
making it more pleasant, easier and safer for people to explore their local area
supporting high street and city centre businesses by providing more space for people
improving road safety
improving health
reducing carbon dioxide emissions, to help the city achieve its net zero carbon by 2030.

The council says trialling schemes for a longer period – or making them permanent – will allow them to ‘change the way people and communities interact and connect across our city’.

Once we have decided whether to keep any measures on a trial or permanent basis, we will of course follow the normal legal processes for Experimental Traffic Regulation Orders (ETRO) or Traffic Regulation Orders (TRO).

This will include an opportunity for residents, businesses and stakeholders to comment and formally object.

Give us your views

Tell us how you’ve used the temporary measures and how you think we should move forward

Tell us what you think

Whether an existing temporary scheme is on your street, your family’s street(s), your local high street or somewhere you visit or pass through on your journeys, we would like to know what you think.

After hearing people’s views and assessing the temporary measures that are in place, we’ll make recommendations to councillors on whether to keep them either on a trial basis for a longer period or perhaps more permanently.

Have your say on Hogmanay!

Edinburgh’s Winter Festivals consultation launched

Citizens are being asked for their views on how Edinburgh celebrates Christmas and New Year in a new consultation launching today (Wednesday 24 February).

The twelve-week survey, being carried out by independent market research company Progressive on behalf of the Council, is now live on the Consultation Hub.

The survey seeks feedback from the Capital’s residents, communities and businesses on how Edinburgh’s Christmas and Edinburgh’s Hogmanay, should be delivered from 2022 onwards.

In addition to the online consultation residents without internet access can request a paper copy by calling the Council on 0131 200 2000.

Originally planned for Spring 2020 the delivery of the consultation was delayed due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and suspension of all public consultations. In the meantime, officers procured independent agency Progressive to allow the consultation to be delivered as soon as the suspension was lifted.

Councillor Donald Wilson, Culture and Communities Convener for City of Edinburgh Council, said: “We want to hear from the people of Edinburgh both on how our Winter Festivals should be delivered and indeed what should be delivered.

“Their feedback to our consultation will shape the future direction of our celebrations from 2022 onwards, when the current arrangements come to an end. This is a good time to take stock and look at what people think and what people want.

“Our Winter Festivals have grown in size and renown both at home and throughout the world. Their cultural and economic importance is well documented and through this consultation we will establish a balanced knowledge of how Edinburgh citizens regard these celebrations, both positive and negative.

“It is therefore important that as many people as possible make their views heard and I would urge everyone, whatever their views, to spend the small amount of time needed to complete the survey and have their say.

Councillor Amy McNeese-Mechan, Culture and Communities Vice Convener said: “We want Edinburgh’s residents and businesses to be at the heart of shaping the future of the Winter Festivals in the Capital. We are engaging in an open public conversation about the future of these events, with opportunities to respond online or in written form.

“In this consultation, residents will be asked about their experiences of Christmas and Hogmanay celebrations in Edinburgh, as well as what activities they would like to see included in the planning and operation of the festivals in the future.

“We want to ensure that our future Winter Festivals achieve the right balance for those living, working in and visiting our capital city.

The consultation will close on 19 May and the outcomes will be presented to both the Festivals and Events All Party Oversight Group and to the Culture and Communities Committee later this year.

Green light for New Town Quarter development

Plans for the ‘largest and most important brownfield development in Edinburgh city centre for a generation’ were approved by the City of Edinburgh Council yesterday (Wednesday 17th February).

The development will create 350 new homes and provide 700 new jobs, giving a major economic boost to Edinburgh’s city centre and the Capital’s economy.

The construction phase alone will boost the local economy by more than £27.7 million a year while work is carried out, and the development will further boost the local economy by £35.5m each year once complete.

Work will begin soon and the New Town Quarter development could be complete as early as 2024.

Ross McNulty, Development Director at Ediston, said: “We have worked very hard to comply with all the relevant policies for such an important site. Our design has been driven by a thorough understanding of the heritage issues associated with being adjacent to Edinburgh’s World Heritage Site, and to open up the area, breathing life and activity into what is currently a redundant brownfield part of the city.

“We have conducted the largest consultation exercise ever carried out in this local community and, as a result, we have made many changes and improvements based on the feedback we have received.

“New Town Quarter will be one of the best places to live and work in one of the world’s finest cities and will help make Edinburgh’s heart beat even stronger. We are looking forward to turning our vision into a reality.”

SELECT urges response to electrical sector consultation

As the long-running campaign for professional recognition of electricians in Scotland nears its final stages, SELECT has warned that the clock is ticking for those who want to help influence the sector’s future.

Scotland’s largest construction trade association is reminding professionals that the deadline to respond to a second consultation on the regulation of the electrical industry is Friday February 12 – and is urging interested parties to take part before it’s too late.

The consultation was launched by Jamie Hepburn, MSP, the Minister for Business, Fair work and Skills, and SELECT says the fact that further parliamentary investigation into regulation is being made is an extremely encouraging sign.

It also points to a first consultation by Conservative MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston, which closed on November 10 last year and received more than 140 submissions, more than 90 per of which were positive.

Alan Wilson, Managing Director of SELECT, said: “We have been overwhelmed by the levels of support we have received, and the huge range of people who have publicly backed us through channels such as our Wall of Support.

“This second consultation another great opportunity for the industry to take part in and shape the future. It is a further chance for Scotland to demonstrate that we are committed to a safer industry and we would urge that all interested parties make their submission to the latest consultation.”

SELECT argues that only government legislation can bring about “comfort and security” for customers across the country and end the scourge of unqualified people passing themselves off as electrical professionals.

Among those who have responded to the latest consultation are the Civil Engineering Contractors Association Scotland.

Grahame Barn, its Chief Executive (below) , said: “It seems a glaring anomaly that when virtually every other trade in the UK is regulated, that no such scheme operates for electricians.”

The Supplier Development Programme has also taken part, with manager Gillian Cameron saying: “Protection of title could reduce the amount of evidence required by public sector buying organisations into a single certification to determine if electricians are competent to carry out work in Scotland.”

SELECT has been campaigning for years with other leading industry bodies, such as the Scottish Joint Industry Board (SJIB) and Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust (SECTT), to ensure that those who work in the industry do so in a safe and competent manner.

Its campaign, which has been raised in the Scottish Parliament, is being backed by membership bodies, industry figures, professional services and individuals from across the country – and has received unprecedented levels of cross-party support from politicians.

Monica Lennon, MSP, who currently is challenging for the leadership of the Labour Party in Scotland, said in her Wall of Support message: “Poor quality electrical work carries huge risks to people’s homes, their businesses and even their lives.

“It is vitally important that consumers are helped to make informed choices whenever they employ an electrician.”

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said: “I fully support the importance of using professionals in all aspects of construction work, be they multi-million-pound contracts or small domestic works.

“It is vital that we ensure only properly trained, qualified and competent people carry out these works.”

Mr Wilson pointed out that any real and effective change must be underpinned by legislation. He said voluntary regimes have never addressed the issue of dangerous and poor work often undertaken by unqualified or partially qualified persons.

He said that the Scottish Government needs to introduce a package of measures which must include Protection of Title. Establishing a single register based on the existing SJIB model would provide the comfort and security to a customer that someone calling themselves an electrician was qualified and competent.

Mr Wilson said: “There is a strong economic case for legislation. Scotland is investing £1.6 billion over the next five years in decarbonising the heat in buildings and it makes sense that those undertaking that programme are trained, qualified and competent.

“But there is also a social side. Protecting title and making the role of electrician a profession will lead to greater interest in the industry and more opportunities for women and ethnic minorities to join it, which would be a significant advantage to us all.”

· The latest consultation can be completed here.

A Geen Recovery?

Low Traffic Neighbourhoods: have your say!

Community engagement to help develop proposals for Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) in three parts of the city has begun. The city council is proposing measures to make it safer and more comfortable to walk, cycle, wheel and spend time in Leith, Corstorphine and East Craigs.

Following public engagement and subject to committee approval the schemes would be introduced under an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order. The council says this provides further opportunities for public involvement in refining measures, even once they’re in place:

‘We’re now seeking residents’ views on travel choices and spaces for movement and relaxation in the relevant areas. Feedback will be used to inform design proposals for each of the schemes, which are the first in a potential programme of low traffic neighbourhoods being considered across the city.

‘In Leith, we’re also developing a protected cycle lane between the Foot of the Walk and Ocean Terminal, which will complement the adjacent Trams to Newhaven project, as well as pedestrianizing Sandport Place Bridge and creating a bus-only section at the Shore. We’re seeking people’s views on concept designs as part of the engagement.’

Transport and Environment Convener Councillor Lesley Macinnes said: “As we look to make a green recovery from the pandemic, it’s important that we get back to work on our long-term plans to support sustainable, active travel and healthy communities, where children can play safely and air pollution is reduced.

“There’s a range of research to show the positive impact LTNs can have on reducing ‘through’ traffic and encouraging people to walk, cycle, wheel and spend time in local areas. We want to bring these benefits to neighbourhoods across Edinburgh and to make sure the changes work for everyone, which is why we want to hear from as many people as possible.”

Transport and Environment Vice Convener Councillor Karen Doran said: “We envision a much safer, more relaxing and ‘people-friendly’ Capital, which is why we’re developing LTNs for different communities.

“By introducing them on an experimental basis we want to involve the people that live here in their evolution, and their participation begins now, as we start to develop designs.”

LTNs are initiatives where motor vehicle traffic is significantly reduced in residential streets, limiting the volume of ‘through traffic’ while maintaining vehicle access for people who live there. This creates a safer, more pleasant and inclusive environment for walking, cycling, wheeling and playing, reducing air pollution, encouraging healthy, active travel and opening up space for improvements like pocket parks, seating areas and planting.

Various studies have demonstrated the positive impacts similar schemes introduced elsewhere in the UK have had on communities. In London, research has shown the ‘mini-Holland programme’, introduced in boroughs across the city, saw a trend toward reduced car use and an increase in active travel.

Data collected on the Walthamstow Village LTN found a drop of approximately 50% in traffic while a scheme in Dulwich Village reported a 96% increase in cycling, including a rise in the number of children on bikes.

Each of the schemes being put forward for Edinburgh responds to needs and issues specific to the neighbourhoods, including –

Corstorphine: Creating safer routes to school, addressing issues with speed and volume of traffic in residential streets, creating new public spaces and improving cycle routes, including links to the future West Edinburgh Link

East Craigs: Protecting streets from the impact of new developments in the west of Edinburgh, creating safer routes to school, addressing issues with speed and volume of traffic in residential streets and improving cycle routes, including links to the future West Edinburgh Link

Leith: Enhancing and promoting access to public transport, improving cycling provision in the area, addressing issues with traffic volume and speed in residential streets.

The city council says proposals being developed are ‘entirely separate and distinct from any temporary measures being implemented as part of the Spaces for People programme‘.

As part of the engagement process ‘community reference groups’ are being formed of representatives from community and interest groups in each of the areas, offering additional opportunities for residents to feed back. However, this will not supersede the responses gathered as part of the consultation process.

Following community engagement, design proposals will be developed for the three LTNs, which will then be shared for further public engagement.

Designs will then be refined and brought to Transport and Environment Committee in June for approval and permission to start the Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO).

Subject to committee approval, following ETRO consultation, changes would be implemented on a trial basis in October.

For the Foot of the Walk to Ocean Terminal active travel improvements, further development of existing designs will follow feedback, with the aim of publishing Traffic Regulation Orders later this year and beginning construction in 2022.

Find out more and take part in the Leith Connections, East Craigs Connections and Corstorphine Connections consultations online.

SJIB: ‘overwhelming support’ for regulation of electricians

The Scottish Joint Industry Board (SJIB) says there is now “overwhelming industry support” for regulation of the electrical industry and is urging more professionals to make their voices heard.

The leading construction body insists protection of title is vital to protect consumers across Scotland – and points to a recent consultation in which 90% of respondents said they were in favour of the measure.

The consultation by MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston, which closed in November, received 141 submissions, 121 of which were fully supportive, 10 partially supportive, one neutral, three partially opposed and only three opposed.

Fiona Harper, The Secretary of the SJIB, said: “It was heartening to see such a high level of responses from a wide cross-section of the industry and to see so many organisations and individual electricians taking a real interest in the future of our industry.

“It was equally pleasing to see that the vast majority of the responses have been positive about the need for some form of regulation, and that there is overwhelming support for protection of title for the profession of electrician.

“The responses show that there is a real appetite to deliver a bill through the Scottish Parliament as soon as possible to secure the safety of consumers and the integrity of the electrical sector in Scotland.”

Ms Harper, who is also Director of Employment & Skills at SELECT, the trade association, also urged electrician to take part in a second consultation on regulation, launched by Jamie Hepburn, MSP, the Minister for Business, Fair work and Skills, which closes on 12 February.

She added: “These consultations are a major step towards a safer industry and we look forward to welcoming a new dawn for electricians and their customers in Scotland.

“At present, anyone can claim to be an electrician and work on an electrical installation. It cannot be right that those who have completed a full apprenticeship and who work in the industry in a safe and competent manner, can be compromised by those who call themselves electricians but who have no or inadequate qualifications.

“Industry research suggests that the net benefits to Scotland from proper regulation of electricians will total around £58million. We would also benefit from higher electrical standards, a reduction in the number of injuries and deaths, better functioning installations, less need for call backs or for poor/unsafe work to be repaired, leading to improved customer satisfaction.”

The first consultation was set up by Highland and Islands MSP Mr Halcro Johnston in a bid to present a case for regulation in advance of a proposed Holyrood Member’s Bill.

The Bill would be the culmination of a long-running campaign by the SJIB, SELECT and other leading industry bodies to make sure that those who work in the industry do so in a safe and competent manner.

SELECT has spent the past few years campaigning with other leading trade bodies for the introduction of regulation, with its many supporters listed on the online Wall of Support.

In its own response to the consultation, the SJIB said regulation would “significantly enhance consumer, client and public protection and safety while deterring unqualified individuals”.

The body, which sets the standards for employment and apprentice training in the electrical contracting sector, also said any new scheme would bring significant economic benefits and would assist in the drive for a “sustainable skills base”.

In the response, Ms Harper said: “The promotion and utilisation of registered electrical contractors with industry-recognised qualifications would address the scale of poorly installed, defective and unsafe electrical work.

“The SJIB already administers the ECS [Electrotechnical Certification Scheme] which accommodates and recognises the diverse array of electricians operating within the electrotechnical industry. With some additional safeguards, the SJIB could develop a very robust scheme at little additional cost.”

Founded in 1969 by SELECT and Unite the Union, the SJIB’s duties include regulating between employers and employees, providing benefits for people engaged in the industry, and stimulating industry progress. In addition, it has oversight of employment, skills and proficiency, health and safety competence, wages and welfare benefits across the electrical industry in Scotland.

Better late than never? Council to consult over Spaces for People

we’re beginning to think about the potential for retaining some of the schemes implemented as part of Spaces for People beyond the end of the pandemic, though we know this is some way off.
Transport and Environment Convener Cllr Lesley Macinnes

The latest review of Edinburgh’s Spaces for People programme proposes a citywide consultation and assessment criteria for retaining some of the schemes implemented once COVID restrictions are eased.

We’re rolling out measures across the Capital to create safe routes for walking, cycling and wheeling while physically distancing. Next Thursday (28 January) the Transport and Environment Committee will discuss recommendations to consider retaining some of the interventions, many of which align with the Council’s strategic aims, protecting vulnerable road users while encouraging active travel.

Assessment criteria have been developed to help ascertain whether current projects, or elements of them, should be continued, initially on an experimental basis. If agreed by committee, a citywide consultation would be carried out alongside this assessment, seeking the public’s views on which interventions they would like to see retained beyond the COVID pandemic. The results of this would be reported back to committee.

The Spaces for People Update report also puts forward several, more complex projects and the outcomes of a regular review of existing measures for approval. Two schemes have been recommended for amendments under the review, one of which is the Braid Road closure.

It is proposed to reopen the street one-way southbound to help reduce public transport times and limit the impact of intrusive traffic on local streets, in response to feedback from residents and Lothian Buses.

Transport and Environment Convener Councillor Lesley Macinnes said: “We’re continuing apace with our ambitious programme of Spaces for People measures designed to give people space to physically distance and to provide safe, protected routes for making journeys by foot, bike or wheelchair.

“We’ve had a great deal of positive feedback from people benefiting from these changes and we know from our own monitoring that many of them are having a positive impact on surrounding areas. That’s why we’re beginning to think about the potential for retaining some of the schemes implemented as part of Spaces for People beyond the end of the pandemic, though we know this is some way off.

“Of course, any longer-term project would involve a great deal of engagement and consultation with communities – we want to bring the people of Edinburgh along with us. But by focusing on an ‘experimental’ approach we would be able to continually monitor and evaluate projects, responding to residents’ needs to best serve the public.”

Transport and Environment Vice Convener Councillor Karen Doran said: “This latest update illustrates the breadth of work that’s gone into designing, reviewing and implementing these schemes. It’s with thanks to the Spaces for People team that we’ve been able to get so many interventions on the ground over recent months.

“Of course, we recognise that there have been concerns about some of the measures from community members, and it’s understandable with changes like these. We’ve made every effort to respond where possible, and continue to tweak and revise designs, as this review demonstrates.”

Amongst the schemes recommended for approval are the introduction of segregated cycle lanes and a quiet connection on Silverknowes Road while a protected cycleway on Slateford Road would link Spaces for People measures on Lanark Road and Dundee Street to provide an alternative route to the Union Canal.

Committee will also hear about the progress of improvements developed using public feedback from the Commonplace consultation as well as the latest designs for interventions on South Bridge.

An update on work to enhance access and safety around schools provides information on temporary road closures, footpath-widening and parking restrictions introduced at primary and secondary schools around Edinburgh.

In addition, efforts to create a better environment for pedestrians include a partnership with Living Streets to identify and remove non-essential street furniture, to which £300k has been allocated, and an extra £100k assigned to improving pedestrian crossings around the city.

Read the full report, Spaces for People Update – January 2021, on the Council website. You can watch Transport and Committee live from 10am on Thursday 28 January, on the Council webcast.