environment – Page 103 – The NEN

Put your old bike to good use with Brake the Cycle

We want your broken, old or unwanted bikes for our Brake the Cycle scheme!

Usually the Brake the Cycle Scheme is a recycling project which takes old and unwanted bikes that are then repaired or serviced by offenders on Community Payback Orders. The bikes are then given away for free to community organisations, youth groups and schools.

At the moment supervisors from the team have been repairing then delivering bikes to people who can use them during the lockdown. So far the team have been able to help NHS and Council workers avoid using public transport to get to work, and donated bikes to vulnerable adults and children across the city, giving them a chance to go out exercise and help as well as improving their mental health.

If you have a bike you would like to donate please email the team and someone will collect your old bike for free.

By donating your unwanted or broken bike, you can help to reduce waste (and maybe make some room in your garden shed!).

You’ll also be helping others who could be in need during the lock down as well as promoting healthier lifestyles and environmentally-friendly travel in Edinburgh.

Green Recovery Summit

Scotland’s environment experts to inform economic recovery after coronavirus with online Green Recovery Summit

Environmental protection must be prioritised in economic recovery plans, Scotland’s top sustainability experts are to tell decision-makers next week.

Around 50 of the nation’s thought-leaders on the environment and the green economy are to come together on Monday (8 June) to outline their vision for a sustainable recovery from the coronavirus.

An online summit hosted by the Royal Scottish Geographical Society (RSGS) and sponsored by Zero Waste Scotland will bring together industry experts, transport chiefs, academics and policy advisors to shape the environmental considerations that must be at the core of Scotland’s strategy for economic recovery post-pandemic.

Delegates at the invite-only Green Recovery Summit are expected to discuss a number of considerations, from financing the green recovery to sustainable procurement, then collectively decide which options to prioritise before the half-day event concludes.

A report from the summit is expected to help shape recommendations to the Scottish Government ahead of a recovery plan for Scotland.

The Green Recovery Summit builds on four earlier events designed to generate solutions to the climate emergency – including most recently the role of the construction industry in driving the circular economy, in which products and materials are made to last for as long as possible.

Iain Gulland, Chief Executive of Zero Waste Scotland, said: “We are all aware that swift, decisive action is needed to avoid deepening the climate emergency we find ourselves in.

“Scotland has long been recognised as a leading nation on the circular economy, and as we emerge from the coronavirus pandemic we have an unprecedented opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to a more sustainable future.

“The circular economy has huge potential for Scotland with economic opportunities worth up to £3billion estimated before coronavirus impacted the economy, as well as significant benefits for our environment.

“As we set out key next steps that will shape how we live and work for years to come, it’s vital that we ensure progress towards a greener, more resilient economy is right at the heart of our plans.”

Mike Robinson, Chief Executive of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society (RSGS), said: “The coronavirus pandemic has transformed our societies both nationally and globally, and we have borrowed a huge amount of money to get us through this crisis.

“It is vital we use this coming period to build and shape our continuing emergence from this crisis in a way that ensures we best protect ourselves from any future ones.

“Climate change has to be the most profound of these, and it would be a huge missed opportunity not to use this forced change as a springboard for a transformation to a more sustainable society.

“The upcoming Green Recovery Summit is a perfect platform to propose positive changes and present solutions.”

Recycling Centres to reopen on Monday – but it’s appointment only

Edinburgh’s Household Waste and Recycling Centres (HWRCs) will reopen from Monday (1 June), with changes in place to ensure the safety of staff and the public. To minimise crowding and help staff and customers to maintain physical distancing, centres will reopen on an appointment-only basis.

HWRCs are expected to be extremely busy at the beginning so we’re encouraging the public only to visit if necessary and if waste can’t be stored safely at home.

Time slots can be booked online from this afternoon (Thursday, 28 May) though will be limited to one per household for the first two weeks of reopening.

Anyone without an appointment will not be permitted to enter recycling centres. Full details of restrictions at each of the city’s three sites will be available online.

Special uplifts will also resume on Monday, 1 June, and the council will be accepting online bookings for the collection of bulky items from today (Thursday, 28 May), with a maximum of five items per household.

Both services were suspended in March due to staff shortages and physical distancing guidance, as well as Scottish Government advice against non-essential journeys.

However, in light of changes to guidance from the Scottish Government, HWRCs at Seafield, Sighthill and Craigmillar will reopen. With enough crew members now in place the council is now able to resume special uplifts too.

Council Leader Adam McVey said: “We’ve been working extremely hard to deliver services as close to normally as possible and, as of Monday, HWRCs will be reopening, on an appointment-only basis.

“However, it’s likely recycling centres will be extremely busy at the beginning, so please only visit if you are unable to continue storing your waste safely at home and ensure you book an arrival slot if you are coming.

“It’s essential that we look after the health of all those who work in and visit our HWRCs, and there will be changes to the way they operate for the foreseeable future to allow us to do this.

“I’m grateful to residents for their patience as we have adjusted to this unprecedented situation, and I’d like to thank them for holding on to any bulky items, and those who continue to do so during the initial busy period.”

Depute Leader Cammy Day said: “I’m pleased that, following Scottish Government guidance and as changes to allow crews to maintain physical distancing have bedded in, we’ve been able to reintroduce these services while ensuring the safety of our staff.

“It’s thanks to the efforts of our waste team that we have been able to resume this service, albeit on a reduced basis, and I hope that residents join me in recognising the commitment they’ve made to keeping the city moving during this difficult time.

“Please help us to protect workers’ safety, and your own, by following our guidance and only visiting HWRCs if it is absolutely necessary.”

A dedicated online booking system for HWRCs will be available on the Council website from this afternoon – it won’t be possible to book visits over the phone as the contact centre continues to focus on emergency calls.

During the initial period only cars will be permitted on-site, no vans or trailers, and staff will not be able to help unload vehicles so please only bring what you can carry.

Queueing is expected at each HWRC upon reopening and there will be traffic management in place, including at Seafield, where we will be temporarily reverting to the old entrance on Fillyside Road for the first three weeks.

The special uplift service is expected to be busy during the first weeks, so there may be a wait for collections – check the council website for updates.

Residents can book an uplift on the Council website – though not currently over the phone while phone lines are kept free so contact centre staff can deal with emergency calls. Special uplifts are charged at £5 per item and details of what we can and can’t collect are available online.

Garden waste collections were reintroduced from 12 May after they were suspended in April, and glass recycling collections, which were suspended in March, recommenced from 28 April.

Further information on changes to bin collections and other services can be found on the Council website.

Scotland’s deposit return scheme passed by parliament

The Scottish Parliament has voted to approve regulations which will establish Scotland’s Deposit Scheme to boost recycling of single-use drinks containers.

The scheme will see people pay a 20p deposit on metal cans and PET plastic and glass bottles, refunded when they’re returned for recycling.

The final regulations, which were laid in the Scottish Parliament in March, maintain the ambitious approach to materials, with glass included alongside PET plastic and aluminium and steel.

Following consultation with island communities, feedback from the Scottish Parliament’s Environment Committee and stakeholder input, the Scottish Government made changes to the regulations.

These include a commitment to review the performance of the scheme by October 2026, including the deposit level, materials and the collection targets.

Zero Waste Scotland has been advising the Scottish Government on the design of the scheme, which builds on evidence from successful international schemes and the response to the Scottish Government’s public consultation.

Zero Waste Scotland’s Chief Operating Officer, Jill Farrell, says the scheme will be a “game-changer” for recycling and the circular economy in Scotland.

“By giving people an extra incentive to do something good for our environment, and having a consistent approach across Scotland, it will be easier for all of us to do the right thing”, she said. “This will improve the volume and quality of recycling and help tackle litter in the process.

“With a huge network of places to return your bottles and cans, it will be just as easy to return a drink as it is to buy one in the first place. I’m proud of Zero Waste Scotland’s role in advising the Scottish Government on this design, which has resulted in a blueprint for a world-class scheme.”

The Scottish Government has also published the Stage 1 Full Business Case for the scheme. This document, which provides the overarching framework for the preferred scheme design and commercial approach, can be access on the Scottish Government website.

Now that the scheme has passed into law, details on how to apply to become a scheme administrator(s) that will run Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme will be available shortly.

Until the deposit return scheme is up and running, as Scotland continues to tackle coronavirus, consumers should follow the latest government and local authority advice on dealing with recycling and waste items.

You can find help and guidance on managingourwaste.scot which includes our simple and practical advice on how to manage your waste effectively to help ease the pressure on our essential services.

You can also find lots of useful recycling and waste reduction hints and tips on the new How To Waste Less website.

Action Plan for Safer Walking and Cycling in Edinburgh

Council to close more streets to car traffic

An action plan has been drawn up for creating safe and accessible spaces for walking and cycling in Edinburgh during the coronavirus outbreak, and when the city emerges from the crisis.

On Thursday (14 May), members of the Policy and Sustainability Committee will consider a report setting out criteria for temporary walking and cycling infrastructure, as well as a package of short and long-term measures to establish safer routes for cyclists and pedestrians.

We have already begun implementing changes to help those making essential journeys and taking daily exercise by foot or bike to stay 2m apart, with road closures in Greenbank, Leith and Silverknowes.

Additional improvements are proposed for other ‘pinch points’ across the city, such as road closures, the introduction of bus gates and temporary cycle lanes. As restrictions are eased and traffic increases, further changes to facilitate safe movement are likely to include pedestrian priority at signalised road crossings, extended bus lane hours, widened pavements and a review of speed limits.

To provide extra space in the city centre, and as residents return to a ‘new normal’, it is also intended that key proposals from the Edinburgh City Centre Transformation plan are brought forward to prioritise pedestrians and cyclists.

In particular, Bank Street, East Market Street and East Princes Street would be closed to car traffic while on Victoria Street and Cockburn Street through traffic would be eliminated and parking provision reduced.

Council Leader Adam McVey said: “We’re leading the way with our approach to safer, more accessible streets and we’ve received a huge amount of support for our plans to create more room for pedestrians and cyclists. It’s clear that people want and need to make essential journeys and take daily exercise by foot or bike safely and we need to give them the space to do so.

“It’s no secret that we face many months of upheaval as we work to emerge from this crisis, and this will no doubt impact on the way we move around the city. As we return to a ‘new normal’, our citywide strategy will support people to make journeys by foot, bike or public transport while continuing to observe physical distancing.

“We’ve been working closely with the Scottish Government and Sustrans to make improvements such as these easier in the long term. By bringing forward more permanent plans to prioritise these modes of transport, we’re also looking to a cleaner, greener and more sustainable future for Edinburgh.”

Depute Leader Cammy Day said: “We’re already seeing the benefits in areas where we’ve implemented changes and we’re working to introduce improvements to other pinch points across the city, helping people to reach nearby open spaces, essential services and to get to and from work safely. We’ve already identified several streets but we’d also welcome any suggestions from the public.

“It’s crucial that these measures work for everyone living on or near the streets concerned. We’ve been engaging closely with local communities to make sure access is maintained for deliveries, those with mobility issues and emergency services, and these conversations will help us as we continue to roll out changes.”

David Hunter, from the Living Streets Edinburgh Group, said: “With the need for physical distancing continuing, and more people walking and cycling, it’s vital there are safe ways for people to get around. Walking should be the top option for people to get around their local community.

“Living Streets Scotland and the Living Streets Edinburgh Group welcome the council’s intent to help people walk and cycle safely. We’re especially keen to see practical measures which give adequate space to pedestrians in congested streets.”

Since the implementation of restrictions in March, it is estimated that cycling and walking has increased by 15 to 20%, while travel by car and public transport has dropped. During this time, we have seen a rise in reports of congestion on pedestrian and cycling routes, with people finding it difficult to maintain physical distancing.

As we plan for Edinburgh’s recovery, we are expecting to see a change in the way people move around the city. By facilitating a growth in walking, cycling and public transport use, we want to sustain improvements to air quality seen during recent months as well as contributing to meeting the Capital’s target to be carbon neutral by 2030.

On Thursday (14 May), councillors on the Policy and Sustainability Committee will be asked to approve the submission of an application for funding from the Scottish Government’s £10m ‘Spaces for People’ scheme supporting local authorities to deliver temporary improvements for walking and cycling.

Our own criteria for making improvements would be in line with the Spaces for People objectives and measures would seek to:

Make space for people to exercise.
Make space for people to travel safely around the city.
Reduce risk to people who use the carriageway for travel or exercise.
Make space for people in shopping streets and in the city centre.

We are currently reviewing our existing active travel programme to identify routes which could be brought forward to support these objectives. We have been working with key stakeholders and Police Scotland to highlight other streets which are not part of the programme but where changes would improve the safety of pedestrians and cyclists.

These include:

The closure of Waverley Bridge to traffic.
Temporary footway widening on Morrison Street, Morningside Road and Easter Road.
Temporary footway widening and cycle segregation on George IV Bridge.
A 24-hour bus gate with loading and parking restrictions on Liberton Road, Craigmillar Park and Minto Street.
The closure of road on East Fettes Avenue.
Installation of bus gates on Dundee St at Fountainbridge and closure of Viewforth, as well as some temporary cycle segregation on Dundee Street.
The introduction of a bus lane on Queensferry Road.

Measures would be subject to a detailed design and risk assessment process, which may result in an alternative approach. Officers will consult with local ward members and other public services to prioritise routes and changes for implementation.

Full details of proposals are available in the report, Creating Safe Spaces for Walking and Cycling, which can be downloaded from the Council website.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps is expected to encourage active travel when he gives the UK Government’s coronavirus media briefing later today

MSP calls for community support to clamp down on ‘dumb dumpers’

Gordon MacDonald, MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands, has called on the support of the local community to crackdown on illegal fly tipping in the area during lockdown.

Councils across Scotland have temporarily closed waste and recycling centres to help them prioritise the collection of general refuse and protect public health during the coronavirus outbreak – a course of action described as ‘necessary’ by Zero Waste Scotland.

However, while those maintaining essential waste services in Scotland work hard in difficult circumstances, reports of fly tipping across the country have increased. This has led to calls for local residents to keep a watchful eye out in Edinburgh and report anyone dumping rubbish illegally to the ‘Dumb Dumpers’ website online.

Responsibility for recycling centres lies with councils but the Scottish Government is working closely with COSLA and its partners in local authorities on the prioritisation of waste services and on what further guidance and practical steps may be required on recycling centres.

The MSP has also echoed calls from Zero Waste Scotland and SEPA for the public to act responsibly with their waste until recycling centres re-open – stressing that now is not the time for large-scale clear-outs.

Gordon MacDonald MSP, said: “This is a difficult time for all of us, but we owe a huge thank you to those in the waste industry who are working to keep as many services running as possible.

“The safety of these workers and the general public has to be the priority, and councils also need to consider staffing shortages and physical distancing before our local recycling centres can re-open.

“While these workers do their best for us, it’s important that we continue to do what we can to help them by pitching in to crack down on illegal fly tippers across Edinburgh.

“Now more than ever, we also have to responsibility for managing our waste during this period – that means keeping larger items at home until the centres re-open.”

Iain Gulland, chief executive of Zero Waste Scotland, said: “Refuse collectors are working in exceptional conditions to maintain as many essential services as they can. Now is a good time to avoid wasting so much as this is ultimately the best way to help councils cope.

“Zero Waste Scotland is working with key partners to communicate changes to householders and businesses in Scotland in the meantime. We’d encourage everyone to visit the campaign website to find out how they can best manage their waste.”

Lothian Conservative MSP Miles Briggs has called for local recycling facilities to be reopened as soon as possible. He said: “It’s clear households across Scotland have significant amounts of waste and recycling built up over the lockdown.

“After seven weeks of closed local dumps and greater levels of household waste, we are now seeing a perfect storm which is driving a fly-tipping surge.

“This week the UK Government outlined how recycling centres in England can reopen with social distancing measures in place.

“It is clear that we need to see progress to safely lift the restrictions on recycling centres in Scotland and for SNP Ministers to outline how this can be achieved as soon as is safely possible.”

Car use is rising despite the lockdown

Figures show a steady increase breakdowns and average miles driven per day
More than a third of drivers say they are using their vehicles more for food shopping as well as trips to DIY stores

Ahead of this weekend’s announcement on how the UK might begin to ease the current lockdown restrictions, an RAC study confirms drivers are already using their cars more than they were earlier in the coronavirus lockdown.

The study analysed RAC ‘black box’ driving data, breakdown numbers and route planning figures since the lockdown began. Comparing the second week of lockdown with last week, 11% more cars were on the road and 23% more daily miles were driven, based on analysis of hundreds of thousands of trips taken by RAC Black Box Insurance customers with telematics units fitted.

Vehicle breakdowns are also up, with those attended by RAC patrols up by nearly a fifth (18%) across the same period.

The number of routes planned via the RAC Routeplanner is also increasing, suggesting a rise in trips being taken by drivers. More routes were planned on Monday 5 May 2020 than on any other day during the lockdown, with 16% more planned on this day than just a week earlier.

Comparing lockdown week two (w/c 30/3/20) with lockdown week six (w/c 27/4/20), there were:

11% more cars on the road

23% more daily miles driven

18% more RAC breakdowns

The data is supported by the findings of a new survey by the RAC which suggests that four-in-10 drivers (41%) admit they are now using their vehicles more frequently than earlier in the nationwide coronavirus lockdown.

The survey of 1,500 drivers found that the top reason for using a car more was for food and grocery shopping (almost a quarter, 23% of drivers), while 9% said that they were doing so to pick up essential supplies or for trips to a pharmacy.

But worryingly, a small but appreciable 5% said they were using their vehicle more now to specifically purchase alcohol, while the same proportion (5%) said they were going out in the car specifically to visit DIY stores as Britons look to make home improvements while spending more time at home.

A slightly smaller proportion of drivers (4%) said they were using their car more to drive somewhere to do exercise, and the same percentage said they were using their vehicle more for work purposes.

A fraction of drivers (1%) said they were taking their car solely to give it a run, with the same proportion citing the reason as driving to a beauty spot. The same percentage (1%) said they driving to see relatives or friends though it is unclear whether these relatives are vulnerable and require assistance.

RAC head of roads policy Nicholas Lyes said: “There is now mounting evidence that people are venturing back out in their vehicles for more essential, as well as arguably non-essential journeys.

“This perhaps is being driven by lockdown fatigue and boredom while the sunny spring weather might also be enticing drivers back into their vehicles. Additionally, some who are indoors might have chosen to carry out home maintenance and DIY, so have taken an opportunity to visit DIY stores that are now open.

“Our own data clearly shows a slight, but nonetheless steady, rise in the number of drivers using their vehicles, and the distances they are travelling in them on a daily basis, compared with earlier in the lockdown. As we near the end of the seventh week of the lockdown, all eyes are on what the Government announces this weekend in terms of how and when movement restrictions might be lifted.

“Until anything concrete is confirmed, the current advice remains to only go out when necessary for essential purposes, or where you cannot work from home. Even where drivers need to head out to pick up food shopping, this should be done as infrequently as possible to help stop the spread of the virus. The question drivers should ask themselves before venturing out is ‘do I really need to?’

“By only using the car for essential journeys at this time, we’re not only helping prevent the virus spreading, but are also reducing the risk of being involved in a road collision and avoiding putting any further pressure on the NHS.”

Edinburgh traffic reduced by 77% Since COVID-19 lockdown

Since the lockdown on 23^rd March, car leasing firm Leasing Options have been monitoring the traffic in UK and ROI cities.

https://www.leasingoptions.co.uk/news/blog/uk-roi-traffic-before-after-the-covid-19-lockdown/6266

Using TomToms’ live traffic data, they have worked out the average percentage decrease in traffic for each city, at weekday 8am in April (last week) versus the same time in 2019. Here are the results:

City	% Decrease in Traffic
London	77.61%
Birmingham	81.03%
Liverpool	74.07%
Dublin	83.16%
Edinburgh	77.27%
Cardiff	83.07%
Manchester	82.60%
Belfast	83.52%
Newcastle	80.36%

Edinburgh remains one of the busiest cities in the UK, with even London seeing a bigger reduction.

Using Google Maps, they have also compared the traffic pre- and post-lockdown to see how we have responded to the new restrictions on travel.

They recorded the post lock-down traffic at around 8.30am on a weekday in April, (peak travel time for many commuters) and compared this to Google’s historical traffic data from before the lockdown.

Here is how Edinburgh looks, for example:

According to the Department for Transport, 1.96 billion vehicles travel through the City of Edinburgh in a single year.

But as the Scottish capital respects the announcement of our PM and Nicola Sturgeon, leader of the Scottish National Party, you can see that road traffic has significantly reduced, post-lockdown. Statistics from TomTom show that traffic has dropped by as much as 64% in April, when compared to the 2019 average.

You can find the data for Greater London, Birmingham, Liverpool, Dublin, Cardiff, Manchester, Belfast, and Newcastle on Leasing Options blog here: https://www.leasingoptions.co.uk/news/blog/uk-roi-traffic-before-after-the-covid-19-lockdown/6266

Silverknowes Road closed as council introduces emergency measures

The City of Edinburgh Council is set to introduce emergency measures to help pedestrians and cyclists to travel safely while observing physical distancing guidance.

The council has been working closely with Transport Scotland and Sustrans to develop an approach to re-designating road space. This will benefit from support from a £10m fund to help local authorities introduce temporary active travel solutions, announced by the Cabinet Secretary Michael Matheson on Tuesday.

Over the coming weeks Edinburgh will be implementing several changes to help prioritise walking and cycling. Immediate actions will tackle areas highlighted as pinch points for pedestrians and cyclists and will include some road lane closures and the implementation of temporary cycle lanes.

There has been significant, understandable public demand for action to help facilitate safe daily exercise and the movement of essential workers.

In the medium term, as lockdown measures continue and are eventually eased, the council will develop a citywide approach to more significant changes, such as expanded cycle lanes and the creation of bus gates.

Longer term, it is proposed that progress on more permanent schemes under the Active Travel Programme is brought forward.

Council Leader Adam McVey said: The way we move around the city has changed significantly over recent weeks and it’s clear that we need to respond to this.

“We’ve been working closely with the Scottish Government to develop measures to help pedestrians and cyclists travel safely while remaining socially distant, so we’re delighted that Transport Scotland has confirmed funding to support local authorities to meet this challenge.

“Our commitment to encouraging and facilitating safer, more convenient walking and cycling in Edinburgh remains as strong as ever. We want to ensure that our city can support essential journeys and let local people access their local open spaces by creating safe, accessible routes to do so.”

Depute Leader Cammy Day said: “As we plan for the city’s recovery, we must consider ways in which we can help people make daily journeys while limiting the potential impact of coronavirus, and maintaining physical distancing is essential to this.

“We’re going to be making changes around the city over the coming weeks to achieve this, as well as progressing plans to further improve infrastructure as we emerge from the crisis.”

Immediate measures will include the closure of the following roads:

Silverknowes Road (implemented by today – Thursday, 30 April)
Braid Road (implemented by Sunday, 3 May)
Links Gardens (implemented by Sunday, 3 May)

These locations have been identified in close dialogue with relevant Council services and Police Scotland who have expressed concerns in each area.

Further emergency measures are being investigated for implementation in the weeks beginning 4 May and 11 May and these will be communicated as soon as possible.

The council will continue to address other ‘pinch points’ and local issues, making use of Temporary Traffic Regulation Orders where necessary, which allow urgent amendments to be made to road layouts to help create more space for people on foot or bike.

The next steps will see a report brought to the Policy and Sustainability Committee in May outlining a citywide plan for more significant changes to the road network to create additional space for walking and cycling.

Alongside this, council officers will be investigating early delivery of some of our more ambitious active travel projects which will help people to make essential journeys safely and quickly as we move towards a new normal.

Further information on the Council’s response to the coronavirus outbreak is available online.

Campaigners welcome funding for active travel infrastructure

Living Streets has warmly welcomes the announcement of £10m funding for active travel infrastructure from the Scottish Government.

Michael Matheson MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity, yesterday announced a new active travel infrastructure programme, funding pop-up walking and cycling routes, and temporary improvements to existing routes.

The programme will also support local authorities to make improvements such as widening pavements and cycle lanes.

Stuart Hay, Director of Living Streets Scotland, said: “Space for physical distancing when walking and cycling is a vital part of long-term strategies to tackle COVID-19. It’s important councils are bold in terms of reclaiming road space and removing redundant parking spaces to create the space that is urgently needed in towns centres.

“Filtered neighbourhoods, banning cars from certain roads and tackling pavement parking can all help make our daily exercise easier and safer.”

“As we approach National Walking Month, we echo Mr Matheson’s calls for local authorities to “come forward with bold and ambitious plans for implementing temporary active travel measures.

“We strongly encourage members of the public to contact their local councils and call on them to take up these measures.”