Tag: Sustrans

Pupils get creative to encourage responsible parking in Leith

Primary school pupils in Leith have helped create colourful solutions to parking issues in the area, which they unveiled yesterday (Tuesday 22 August).

St Mary’s (Leith) RC Primary School P5 class shared a series of posters they’ve created to discourage people from parking in an area blocking communal bins on Links Gardens. Links Gardens is a ‘School Street’ where traffic is restricted at the beginning and end of the day to help people walk, wheel and cycle to school safely.

They also helped celebrate the completion of a vibrant public artwork on the street, installed as part of Leith Connections, a project making changes across the area to support safe and easy walking, wheeling and cycling.

The colourful on-street painting is one of three installations designed in collaboration with the community, local school children and Scottish art firms Bigg Design and Fun Makes Good.

Similar artworks have popped up at Leith Primary School on St Andrew Place (another School Street) and John’s Place, where a new public space has been created for people to relax and play.

Designs across the three sites have been inspired by Leith’s heritage and natural attributes and feature local wildlife, references to the area’s shipbuilding history and Leith’s ‘Persevere’ motto, amongst other elements.

The project is being funded through Places for Everyone, an active travel infrastructure programme funded by the Scottish Government and administered by Sustrans.

Councillor Scott Arthur, Transport and Environment Convener, said: “We really want to bring the local community along with us to enjoy and interact with the changes introduced through Leith Connections, so it’s great to be able to involve the youngest generation to help brighten up the area.

“As well as contributing to these fantastic artworks, St Mary’s (Leith) RC pupils have also been thinking about the impact of irresponsible parking in their School Street. I’m sure their striking posters will have a real impact on all road users.

“By creating safer, more welcoming spaces to walk, wheel and cycle in Leith, as well as for spending time with friends or visiting local businesses, we want to benefit everyone who lives in and visits Leith.”

Simon Strain, Head of Programme, Sustrans said: “Making it easier and safer for children to travel independently to and from school is of the utmost importance. The simple crossing improvements and road layout changes delivered as part of Leith Connections not only deliver more accessible everyday journeys but also provide new creative spaces for children and adults to enjoy.

“It’s great to see the creativity and talent of these local pupils now on show. We’d like to thank the school and the wider Leith community for their support in making this project a success.”

Primary 5 pupil Leon added: “We as a class made lots of different designs for the pavements and posters. We had this piece of paper and we were drawing our designs and seeing which ones were the best.

“The road paintings are really cool, I think it’s really nice that we made them.”

Changes implemented as part of Leith Connections include improved pedestrian crossings, pavement decluttering and planting and seating in newly created pedestrian spaces.

This is alongside new traffic layouts in several streets to prioritise people travelling by foot, wheel or bike. Under the scheme Sandport Place Bridge has been closed to motor traffic, bus gates introduced at the Shore and Links Place and measures added to prevent through traffic in some areas. All residential and business properties are still accessible by motor vehicle, while blue badge parking will be unaffected.

Leith Connections designs draw from two years of engagement with the community and local stakeholders, encompassing online co-design workshops, public drop-in sessions and focused meetings. Some of the measures, around Leith Links, will be implemented on a trial basis under an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO).

Find out more about Leith Connections online.

Transformed Granton walking and cycling path named after explorer

A newly upgraded walking, wheeling and cycling path, which provides a vital link in the north of Edinburgh, has been officially named after a famous explorer who once studied in the area.

Speirs Bruce Way was formally opened yesterday (Friday, 30 June) and celebrates the accomplishments of William Speirs Bruce, a late 19th/early 20th century scientist known for his expeditions to Antarctica and who studied at the Scottish Marine Station for Scientific Research in Granton.

The core path in Edinburgh’s Granton Waterfront connects the heart of the neighbourhood with public transport links and shops along with Granton Beach, the future cultural and leisure offering at West Shore Studios, the promenade and a planned coastal park. Speirs Bruce Way will also serve a future housing development to the west of the path.

The project forms part of the wider £1.3bn Granton Waterfront Regeneration programme and has been supported by funding from the Scottish Government through Sustrans Scotland’s Places for Everyone programme.

Plans for the wider regeneration of the area to make Granton Waterfront a new sustainable coastal town for Edinburgh include 3,500 net zero homes, a new primary school and lots of green and open spaces.

Councillor Scott Arthur, Transport and Environment Convener, said: “This major upgrade has not only brought a key walking, wheeling and cycling route back into use, but has created a much more accessible and safe space for people to spend time, whether travelling with a wheelchair, using a buggy or out for a jog.

“Today I was delighted to help officially open the path, which recognises the area’s former student and pioneering explorer, scientist and oceanographer William Speirs Bruce.

“Our £1.3bn regeneration of Granton Waterfront is one of the largest and most ambitious projects of its kind in Scotland. Improving connectivity and strengthening active travel links is central to this, and our wider ambitions to achieve net zero by 2030, reduce kms travelled by car and to create a safer, more sustainable and pleasant transport future for Edinburgh.”

Simon Strain, Head of Places for Everyone Programme at Sustrans Scotland, said: “This upgraded route is an important achievement for Granton Waterfront.

“The Speirs Bruce Way greatly improves the link between Waterfront Avenue and West Shore Road with a path that is suitable for all to use, whilst also enhancing connections to the nearest bus stops and the Waterfront Broadway local centre.

“By making it safer and easier for residents and visitors to the area to walk, wheel and cycle we hope that many more people will have the confidence to leave the car at home when making their everyday journeys.

“We’re grateful to the City of Edinburgh Council and local community members for their hard work and considered input which has helped make this project a success.”

Upgrades include widening the path to provide space for both pedestrians and cyclists, the installation of new lighting and path access improvements at the north end where it meets West Shore Road.

As well as providing a key north-south link, Speirs Bruce Way passes by the 17th century Caroline Park House, the remnants of Granton Castle to the east and the boundary wall of the former Granton Gasworks to the west.

A Historic Environment Scotland plaque has been installed to commemorate Sir Thomas Hope (Lord Advocate to King Charles I) who lived at Granton Castle. 

Granton Castle Walled Garden is also accessed directly from the path and is managed by the Friends of Granton Castle Walled Garden.

Through Places for Everyone, the Scottish Government has granted Stage 0-2 funding for further projects in relation to Phase 1 of the Granton Waterfront Regeneration, on which an initial planning consultation is currently underway.

Designs for the upgraded path were produced by WSP, with construction carried out by Mackenzie Construction.

Find out more about Granton Waterfront regeneration.

Oh, oh: Council to launch ‘Leith Connections’ active travel project

MORE DISRUPTION FOR BELEAGUERED LEITH BUSINESSES?

Work will soon begin on a scheme to create safer, more welcoming places to walk, wheel, cycle and spend time in Leith, the city council has announced.

The first phase of Leith Connections will introduce measures to limit through traffic and enhance streets for pedestrians and people cycling in areas around Constitution Street, Leith Links and the Shore.

Construction will begin in the week commencing 10 April and is expected to last until late June. Amongst the changes are improved pedestrian crossings, planting and seating in newly created pedestrian spaces, community-inspired artwork and pavement decluttering.

This is alongside new traffic layouts in several of the streets to prioritise people travelling by foot, wheel or bike. These include the closure of Sandport Place Bridge to motor traffic, bus gates at the Shore and Links Place and modal filters to prevent through traffic in some areas.

All residential and business properties will still be accessible by motor vehicle, while blue badge parking will be unaffected. Full details are available on the Leith Connections website.

Leith Connections designs draw from two years of engagement with the community and local stakeholders, encompassing online co-design workshops, public drop-in sessions and focused meetings. Some of the measures, those to the east of the Shore, will be implemented on a trial basis under an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO).

The project is being funded through Places for Everyone, an active travel infrastructure programme funded by the Scottish Government and administered by Sustrans.

Councillor Scott Arthur, Transport and Environment Convener, said: “Leith Connections is a really exciting opportunity to create safer, more welcoming spaces to walk, wheel and cycle in Leith, as well as for spending time with friends or visiting local businesses.

“These changes have drawn on feedback from the community, as well as the Council’s own monitoring. They will also provide better connections to popular walking and cycling routes nearby, like the north Edinburgh path network and the Water of Leith walkway and soon, protected cycle lanes on Leith Walk, delivered as part of the Trams to Newhaven project.

“The team has drawn up a robust monitoring and evaluation plan so that once it’s in place, they can understand the benefits and impacts of Leith Connections. I look forward to hearing what the community thinks too, as part of the ETRO process. I shall be watching this installation closely as I am keen to see more schemes like this in Edinburgh.

Michael Melton, Grant Manager at Sustrans, said: “We are pleased to be working with City of Edinburgh Council to make Leith a safer and more accessible place to walk, wheel, cycle and spend time. The Leith Connections project has been shaped by the local community, with changes including new traffic layouts, improved pedestrian crossings and community-inspired artwork.

Officers will closely monitor the impact of the project through automatic traffic counts, air quality monitoring, market research and focus groups. Information gathered will feed into recommendations for the future of the project.

Further phases of Leith Connections will deliver protected cycle lanes running from the Foot of the Walk to Ocean Terminal (delivered in parallel to the Trams to Newhaven project) and from the Hawthornvale path to Seafield.

These plans are still under development and will include additional improvements to the public spaces in the area.

Find out more about Leith Connections.

Corstorphine Primary School pupils kick off The Big Walk and Wheel

Children at Corstorphine Primary School celebrated the first day of The Big Walk and Wheel with a silent disco, walking bus and cycle obstacle course.

The inter-school walking, wheeling, cycling and scooting challenge, organised by charity Sustrans, encourages primary and secondary school aged children to make active journeys.

The children were joined by Transport Convener Cllr Scott Arthur.

Elizabeth Gilles, Depute Headteacher at Corstorphine Primary School, said: “It is wonderful to see our pupils embrace a range of activities for the Big Walk and Wheel.

“We really enjoy taking part in this every year and we can see how walking, wheeling, scooting and cycling can be great fun for everyone involved. Leaving the car at home can also have a positive impact on local traffic congestion and air pollution near the school too.”

Cecilia Oram, Sustrans Head of Behaviour Change, said: “Hundreds of thousands of pupils have risen to the challenge and embraced active travel each year, and this is such a fun event for schools to take part in.

“There’s a serious element to the Big Walk and Wheel too. Not only does the event help reduce pollution around the school gates but in 2019 it helped parents to save an estimated £1.6million in petrol costs during the fortnight.”

ABOUT THE BIG WALK AND WHEEL:

The Sustrans Big Walk and Wheel takes place 20 – 31 March 2023 and it inspires pupils to make active journeys to school, improve air quality in their neighbourhood and discover how these changes benefit their world.

The competition has been running since 2010, initially as the Big Pedal, and sees schools compete on each day of the challenge to make the most journeys by walking, wheeling, scooting and cycling.

Run by charity Sustrans and sponsored by Schwalbe, The Big Walk and Wheel has become the UK’s largest inter-school walking, wheeling, cycling and scooting competition.

A total of 391 schools in Scotland have signed up for this year’s challenge.

More than 2 million active journeys to 1,519 participating schools took place during the 2022 challenge. This resulted in a saving of 1,335 tonnes of CO2, the equivalent of 6,000 return car journeys from Edinburgh to London.

Walking, wheeling, and cycling boost to Capital’s environment and economy

New research from Sustrans and the city council

Every year walking, wheeling and cycling in Edinburgh helps generate more than £186.2 million in economic benefits while saving 38,000 tonnes in greenhouse gas emissions – the equivalent of 49,000 flights from Edinburgh to New York – according to a major new report.

The Walking and Cycling Index, formerly known as Bike Life, is the biggest assessment of walking, wheeling and cycling in cities across the UK and Ireland, carried out by Sustrans. Results from Edinburgh show 66% of residents walk at least five days a week – more than any other mode of transport and above the national average of 50%. Twenty-six per cent of residents cycle at least once a week.

Annually, people choosing to travel by foot, wheel or bike help take up to 150,000 cars off the road and save the NHS more than £8.2 million through the associated health benefits. However, the Walking and Cycling Index also found that 70.7 million journeys up to three miles are still driven in Edinburgh each year.

Most respondents – 78% – said more shops and everyday services close to home would encourage them to walk and wheel more, while the same number supported the creation of more 20-minute neighbourhoods.

The Council is in the process of developing a model for a network of 20-minute neighbourhoods across the city, where public transport and active travel are the best options for getting around and streets are designed for people, allowing them to easily access and support their local businesses and services.

Twenty-three per cent of residents currently don’t cycle but would like to and 64% say more physically separated cycle lanes along roads would help them to cycle more, with access to secure cycle storage at or near home (57%) amongst other incentives to cycling.

Several major cycling infrastructure projects are already underway or in the pipeline in Edinburgh, including the City Centre West to East Link (CCWEL) and the transformation of George Street. We’ve also rolled out 106 secure cycle parking hangars over the last two years, with a total of 180 hangars to be installed as part of the programme’s initial phase.

Walking and Cycling Index Edinburgh – key statistics

  • Health: Every year walking and cycling prevents 1,252 serious long-term health conditions. The physical activity benefits of walking and cycling prevent 316 and 28 early deaths respectively, valued at £1 billion (walking) and £92.4 million (cycling).
  • Environment: If 80% of the 70.7 million car journeys of up to three miles were walked and cycled it would save approximately 23,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Trips: Every day, 130,000 return walking trips and 16,000 return cycling trips are made by people that could have used a car. If these cars were all in a traffic jam it would tail back 435 miles – equivalent to the distance between Edinburgh and Southampton.
  • Quieter streets: Only 31% of residents think their streets aren’t dominated by vehicles. Sixty-one per cent support low traffic neighbourhoods and 59% said fewer motor vehicles on streets would be better for both walking and cycling.
  • Inequalities: Eighty-one per cent of non-disabled residents think the level of walking safety is good in their local area compared to 69% of disabled residents. Thirty-five per cent of men cycle at least once a week while only 17% of women do.
  • Funding: Half of residents (52%) want to see more government spending on both walking and cycling, and 57% would like more investment in public transport.

Daisy Narayanan, Head of Placemaking and Mobility at the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “As ever, this report provides a fascinating snapshot of people’s walking, wheeling, and cycling habits – and the immense benefits active travel can bring, not only to our own health but the environment, the economy and the quality of life here.

Transport currently accounts for just under a third of Edinburgh’s emissions and it’s clear that there’s an urgent need to aid and encourage more sustainable ways of travelling if we’re to meet our 2030 net zero target. Responses to the Walking and Cycling Index provide an excellent guide for the kind of changes we need to make – people are telling us what we need to do to help them to travel by foot, wheel or bike, particularly for shorter journeys.

There’s already a great deal of work underway to support this. Our strategy for 20-minute neighbourhoods will mean people across Edinburgh can live well locally, meeting most of their daily needs from within their own community. The approach is designed to improve access to services where it is most convenient and helps to support local businesses, creating thriving, vibrant town and local centres.

This is alongside investment of £108 million over the next few years to transform walking, wheeling and cycling infrastructure across the Capital, as outlined in our ambitious City Mobility Plan, including the transformation of George Street, the delivery of CCWEL linking Roseburn to Leith Walk and the Meadows to George Street route.

Dr Sam Gardner, Chair of Edinburgh’s Climate Commission, said: “Improving 2our streets to encourage more people to choose active ways of travelling is not only an essential part of tackling climate change but will also create a healthier, fairer city.

“A planned investment programme is already in place to support a step-change in the city’s cycling network and improve the safety of our streets for those walking and wheeling. It’s crucial that we not only deliver this programme but that we continue to build on its ambition at every opportunity.

“Edinburgh is a beautiful, compact and walkable city. We want to make sure all members of society can gain from this, and the Walking and Cycling Index is a key resource to help us to achieve that.”

Stewart Carruth, Interim Director, Sustrans Scotland, said: “I’d like to thank the people of Edinburgh who gave us their time to take part in the Walking and Cycling Index. Walking and wheeling should be the most accessible and desirable form of transport. It is of huge importance to people, especially during the current cost of living crisis and the climate emergency.

“The evidence is clear – Edinburgh residents want the option to walk and wheel to where they need to get to, and don’t want outdated and unmaintained pavements, crossing points that make walking and wheeling unsafe or inaccessible, and vehicles parked on pavements getting in their way.

“The City of Edinburgh Council can rest assured that they have the backing of the public to build on the work they have already started to make it easier for people to walk, wheel and cycle to get around.”

The Walking and Cycling Index Edinburgh is the fourth report of its kind produced by Sustrans in partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council and draws on local walking and cycling data, modelling and an independent survey of 1,346 residents carried out from June to August 2021, following the lifting of Covid travel restrictions. In total, 9,681 people were surveyed in Scotland.

As well as outlining residents’ walking, wheeling and cycling habits and the associated benefits, the report looks to future developments in the city. These include City Centre Transformation, the extension of 20mph streets and the dropped kerbs programme, following the vision set out in the City Mobility Plan.

Read the full Edinburgh Walking and Cycling Index 2021 report, and the UK Walking and Cycling Index report online.

sustrans-2021-walking-and-cycling-index-aggregated-reportDownload

Edinburgh to invest £117 million in Active Travel Programme

An updated five-year programme of investment will see more than £117m invested in schemes to help people walk, wheel and cycle in Edinburgh.

Under the Active Travel Investment Programme (ATINP), we will deliver over 85km (52 miles) of additional safe, protected cycle routes – the equivalent of a trip from Edinburgh to Aberfeldy. These measures, which are already in the pipeline, will help children to walk, cycle and wheel to many of the city’s schools and provide significant improvements to public spaces, pavements and paths.

The ATINP supports our Active Travel Action Plan (ATAP), which sets out a high-level framework for delivering a walking, wheeling and cycling-friendly city. A new ATAP, covering the period to 2030, is currently under development and is expected to be completed in summer 2022 when we’ll be able to share proposals, similarly to Glasgow’s Active Travel Strategy published this week.

The City of Edinburgh Council will pay for less than 20% of the ATINP as most of the funding is secured from external sources, with more than £80m committed by the Scottish Government via Sustrans.

A report to be considered by the Transport and Environment Committee on Thursday (14 October) covers a review of the ATINP.

It aligns the plans with a Sustrans budget review as well as the delivery of Council projects and priorities. Changes in travel behaviour relating to the Covid pandemic are also examined, taking into account the temporary measures introduced under Spaces for People, now Travelling Safely.

In addition to several major projects to transform the city, like City Centre West East Link and Meadows to George Street, the ATINP will increase spending on key improvements to prioritise travel by foot, wheel or bike. This includes the installation of dropped kerbs and citywide bike parking.

Councillor Lesley Macinnes, Transport and Environment Convener, said: “Supporting people to walk, wheel or bike around Edinburgh is essential for urgently lowering carbon emissions, promoting healthier lifestyles and creating safer streets. Our package of significant investment will kick-start a shift change in the delivery of schemes designed to help achieve this.

“The ATINP drives forward an ambitious programme of improvements which will, for the first time, lead to a truly connected network of protected walking and cycling routes, helping people get from A to B safely, quickly and conveniently. There is an urgency to this which many people already recognise.”

Councillor Karen Doran, Transport and Environment Vice Convener, added: “As we emerge from the Covid pandemic we have the opportunity to transform the way we travel around the city, and really support those who have embraced, or rediscovered, walking and cycling over the last 18 months.

“I’m excited to see our ambitious programme of investment take shape over the coming years, and the positive impact it will have on all those who live, work and visit here.”

The 85km of cycling improvements planned over the next five years will add to 211km of existing off-road, quality signed walking and cycling paths and Edinburgh’s 36km of Travelling Safely routes, creating, for the first time, a comprehensive network spanning the city.

As part of this the council will be delivering improvements near more than a third of the city’s schools, helping children and families travel by foot, wheel or bike.

Some of the other key active travel projects being brought forward over the next five years are Roseburn Path to Union Canal and West Edinburgh Link. Spending on minor improvements, such as localised cycle signing or widening off-road footpaths, will also rise under the reviewed ATINP.

Read about Edinburgh’s commitment to Transport for All’s Pavement Pledge.

The current ATAP was initially approved in 2010 and was subsequently refreshed in 2013 and 2016. By helping people to choose sustainable modes of travel the associated improvements will not only positively impact health, safety and wellbeing, but it will support our net zero carbon goals.

Read the full report, Active Travel Investment Programme Update, on the Council website. 

Watch Transport and Committee live from 10am on Thursday, 14 October via the Council webcast.

Join the Great Granton Clean Up!

Granton Goes Greener are very excited to be part of North Edinburgh Active Travel weekend (25-26/09) supported by @SustransScot .

Organising COMMUNITY RUBBISH PICKING on a Saturday-25/09 (11am-1pm) with FREE LUNCH.

To register, follow the link; https://eventbrite.co.uk/e/granton-goes-greener-litter-pick-tickets-169875589461… or email us/Facebook

Doing our bit towards Granton Going Greener – join the Hub to Station Litter Pick on Saturday 25th September at 11am.

Join us under the Granton Goes Greener feather flag outside the Granton Hub at Maldevic House – We’ll provide the equipment if you come and provide the enthusiasm!

Together let’s clean up our community space.

We’ll be picking litter on the route from Granton Hub along past Caroline Park and up to the old Granton Gasworks Station.

‘Summer’s Here’: Looking out for each other on city’s shared paths

A new City of Edinburgh Council campaign has been launched encouraging people to be mindful of others when using Edinburgh’s shared paths.

With more people choosing to walk, cycle, jog or wheel, the city’s network of off-road paths is busier than ever, so we’re sharing top tips to help people exercise and travel safely.

Through social media, digital and citywide advertising, the ‘Summer’s Here’ campaign asks everyone to look out for one another and follow guidance for using the paths, such as:

  • give each other space 
  • take it easy and slow right down when on your bike on a shared path
  • stay left and pass on the right
  • keep your dog on a lead in busy areas
  • stay alert, especially if using headphones or your phone
  • remember that not all disabilities are visible – slow down and give enough warning

Councillor Karen Doran, Transport and Environment Vice Convener, said: “Being able to get out and about and exercise on our fantastic network of off-road paths has been a saving grace of the pandemic, and we want to make sure people can continue to do that safely and comfortably.

“It’s no surprise these are busy, popular routes, where everyone can walk, jog, cycle or wheel, so we just need to be mindful of one another when we make use of them. Through the Summer’s Here campaign, we’re sharing handy tips and advice to help everyone to enjoy and benefit from these shared-use spaces.”

The city council is reminding residents and visitors to take extra care in areas where people walking, wheeling and cycling share the same space. Advice for different groups includes:

Cyclists

  • Use your bell to let people know you are there well in advance, especially at blind corners
  • Give others space
  • Don’t pass at speed
  • At night – avoid dazzling others with your lights: dip, dim, don’t strobe

Walkers and runners 

  • Listen for cyclists’ bells
  • Allow cyclists to pass
  • At night, think about whether you are visible to others

Dog walkers

  • Keep dogs on a short lead or close to heel
  • Clean up after your dog
  • At night, use a reflective collar or coat on your dog

Find out more on the Paths for Everyone website.

You can also find guidance from Sustrans and from Scottish Cycling for walking and cycling safely as lockdown measures start to ease on their websites.

Edinburgh Cycle Hire customers pedal 1.5 million kilometers

Yesterday – Clean Air Day – Edinburgh Cycle Hire announced that their customers have cycled a staggering 1,500,000km, pedalling around the Earth nearly 38 times!

A recent study undertaken by scientists at Oxford University found that those who switch just one trip per day from car-driving to cycling reduced their carbon footprint by about 0.5 tonnes over a year.

In 2020 Edinburgh Cycle Hire Scheme totalled 234,470 trips, almost double from the previous year.  In one day alone 1,438 people used the scheme.  So far in 2021 nearly 60,000 trips have been made with the summer period expected to busy again with locals using the scheme as part of their staycation.   

With access to bikes being one of the biggest challenges to cycling, the scheme is planning to upgrade its hire points later this year, as well as reviewing the network to meet the growing customer demand.  

The new infrastructure is already being used within the Transport for West Midlands scheme and is a hit with customers.   This work is supported with funding from Sustrans and the City of Edinburgh Council.

George Lowder, Chief Executive of Transport for Edinburgh said: “The Edinburgh scheme is key to supporting our city’s sustainability and active travel plans, cutting emissions and congestion.  

“Providing access to bikes in an easy to use, affordable and safe way will encourage people to leave the car at home and take shorter journeys by bike.”

Alex MacDonald, General Manager of the scheme said: “We’re gearing up for another busy summer and we’ll have more bikes available across the city.  

“Customers can explore on our e-bikes and pedal bikes by simply downloading the app and finding their nearest hire point.”

John Lauder, Deputy CEO Sustrans and National Director, Sustrans Scotland said: “Studies have found that switching from the car to cycling, even just for one day a week can make a real difference to reducing personal carbon emissions from transport.  

“Cycle hire schemes, like Edinburgh’s makes cycling more visible, and more normal.  Cycle hires remove the first barrier to making that decision to cycle, and help people understand how convenient and easy cycling is.  It’s the first small step to changing habits that can make a huge difference.”

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.”