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.