Tag: George Street

Witness appeal following George Street robbery

Police are appealing for witnesses following a robbery in the city centre. The incident happened around 5.30am on Friday (6th September) on George Street.

A 41-year-old woman was walking close to the Bank of Scotland premises near the junction with Frederick Street when she was approached by a male who demanded her property before grabbing the bag she was carrying. He then walked westbound on George Street.

Inquiries are ongoing to identify the suspect and anyone with information or who saw a male acting suspiciously in the George Street area at the time is asked to come forward.

The suspect is described as male, white, 5’6”, 18-22 years, brown hair, wearing a dark zip up jacket, dark trousers and brown boots. He spoke with a local Edinburgh accent.

Detective Sergeant Lesley Robertson from the Violence Reduction Unit at Gayfield Police Station said: “Thankfully the victim was unhurt however was left badly shaken. We are now conducting various lines of inquiry to trace the suspect and anyone who was on George Street at the time and can help us identify this male should contact police immediately.”

Those with information can contact the Police at Gayfield Square Police Station via 101 and quote incident number 0430 of 06th September 2019. Alternatively, an anonymous report can be made to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Police release images of man sought for George Street assault

Police in Edinburgh have released images of a man that officers wish to trace in connection with a serious assault that occurred in George Street on Sunday 5th March around 2.45am. A 20-year-old man was attacked and sustained a significant facial injury that required hospital treatment. Continue reading Police release images of man sought for George Street assault

Police appeal following George Street assault

Police are appealing for witnesses following an altercation on George Street in the early hours of Sunday morning. The incident happened around 3.25am in the cobbled area in the centre of George Street and left a 26-year-old man needing hospital treatment for a head injury. Continue reading Police appeal following George Street assault

Continental cafe culture for George Street?

George Street

A vision for George Street is set to be considered by councillors tomorrow. The outcome of a year-long trial to increase pedestrian and cycling provision will be heard by the Transport and Environment Committee on Tuesday.

Members will also discuss a series of design principles for the development of the thoroughfare, drawn up by independent consultant Ironside Farrar.

Amongst the consultant’s proposals to improve the local environment and encourage mixed use of the street are a segregated cycle route, widened pavements and outdoor dining opportunities, while retaining parking and public transport capacity. It is intended that these high level guiding principles could be used to inform and support a fuller, more detailed design.

Transport Convener, Councillor Lesley Hinds, said: “The point of the trial was to create a more accessible, enjoyable atmosphere for all those who use the street.

“By working closely with residents and stakeholders we were able to assess which changes worked and which didn’t. The lessons learned have enabled Ironside Farrar to create a series of all-inclusive design principles, and I look forward to seeing these developed further.”

The concluding report notes the benefit of using a trial approach to help inform design discussions for the project.

In September 2014 the Council introduced a dedicated two-way cycle lane, additional pedestrian space and a one-way traffic system for cars as part of a one-year-trial.

This was used as a starting point for a detailed design discussion, involving regular feedback and suggestions from stakeholders as a means of developing a long-term design for the street.

By using an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) to run the trial, it was possible to make changes based on key learning points as it progressed, in collaboration with the public.

Following the trial, Ironside Farrar drew up design principles based on feedback gathered through more than 1200 on-street interviews carried out during the year, as well as two public meetings and the opinions of a dedicated steering group. This comprised representatives from the New Town and Broughton Community Council, Essential Edinburgh, Cockburn Association, Edinburgh World Heritage Trust, George Street Association and the Council’s Planning and Transport divisions.

Ironside Farrar’s report builds on lessons learned, recognising the need for George Street’s design to enable seasonal, flexible use while focusing on the needs of retail, hospitality and local residents.

Additional proposals, which prioritise pedestrians and cyclists, include an adaptable streetscape, designed to suit seasonal events and festivals held in the street, and fully accessible facilities to address the varying needs of users.

If design principles are approved, a detailed design for the future layout of George Street would be developed.

Read the full report: George Street Experimental Traffic Regulation Order, Concluding Report and Design Principles, on the Council website.

What should we do with George Street?

Have your say on the future of George Street

george-street

Edinburgh residents are being invited to help shape the future of one of the city’s best-known streets. An open day to be held tomorrow will offer an opportunity to meet the designers working on a long-term vision for George Street.

Participants can give their views on a year-long trial in the street, which has seen the introduction of a dedicated two-way cycle lane and a one-way system for general traffic and buses.

They will also be invited to contribute ideas and opinions on a permanent layout, with the drop-in session featuring four themes for George Street: A Civic Place, A Place for Living, A Place for Enterprise and A Place for Movement.

Transport Convener, Councillor Lesley Hinds, said: “Throughout this trial we have involved the public to ensure changes take into account the users of the street, and I think that’s reflected in the positive feedback we’ve received along the way.

“Now, as the trial draws to a close, we want to include those who live, work and travel on George Street to help us decide its future, and that’s why it’s so important that people come along to our open day to give their views on a long term plan.

“Making the city centre a great place to be is about striking a balance between work and leisure, practicality and atmosphere – and I think that by working together we can achieve that.”

Throughout the trial, regular ‘stakeholder engagement’ and on-street interviews with passers-by (approximately 100 per month) have gathered feedback from the public.

Amongst the findings were the importance of cycling facilities to the future of the street to respondents, the need for George Street to be accessible to all and the preference for symmetry in any long-term designs.

Ironside Farrar have been appointed until October 2015 to turn the information gathered into design principles, which will be presented with the concluding report on the George Street Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) to Committee in November.

The George Street ETRO finishes on 6 September, when the street’s layout will revert to that of pre-September 2014, when the trial began. This means both sides of carriageway will be open and the cycle lane removed, as will all marquees and decking.  An interim cycle facility will then be introduced, as approved by Transport and Environment Committee on 2 June.

The open day will be held at the Roxburghe Hotel

on Thursday 13 August, from 3pm to 7pm.