Tag: transport

Have your say on city council’s Meadows to George Street proposals

Views are being sought on proposals to transform walking, cycling and public spaces along some of Edinburgh’s busiest streets.

Forrest Rd

The Meadows to George Street project aims to significantly enhance the experience of those travelling on foot or by bike on streets connecting the two destinations, improving public realm and increasing accessibility. Continue reading Have your say on city council’s Meadows to George Street proposals

Green light for city centre transport plans

Public consultation starts tomorrow

Councillors have backed plans to ‘transform’ the city centre. Members of the Transport and Environment Committee approved a series of strategic reports focusing on creating a ‘more resilient, liveable city, enabled by an exemplar public realm and transport system’.

Continue reading Green light for city centre transport plans

Labour must ‘get on board’ with full rail devolution

SNP MSP Gordon Macdonald has called on Labour MSPs to get behind the full devolution of rail services to Scotland, after a former Labour transport minister urged that the Scottish Parliament be given full responsibility over Network Rail.

Tom Harris, a senior adviser to the Rail Review, said that all lines, signals, stations and infrastructure under the control of Network Rail should be transferred to a new body, answerable to the Scottish Government.

Network Rail is currently responsible for railway infrastructure and is accountable to Westminster, not Holyrood.

In November, Labour MSPs were criticised for voting against the full devolution of rail, despite almost 60% of delays on Scotland’s railways over the last year being attributable to Tory government’s shambolic operation of Network Rail.


SNP MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands, Gordon Macdonald, said: “The SNP in government has consistently called for the full devolution of rail services, but successive Labour and Conservative governments have repeatedly denied Scotland a full say over how its railways are run – talking a good game while doing absolutely nothing to deliver the powers we need.

“The Rail Review gives us an opportunity for meaningful change. Full devolution of services currently under the control of Network Rail would help to improve performance on the railways and allow for a coherent, joined-up approach to transport.

“It’s time for Labour to get on board with the common sense approach – handing over full control of the rail infrastructure to Scotland to help ensure our railways deliver for all passengers in Edinburgh.”

Capital Coalition set to vote through £207 million tram extension

Edinburgh’s ruling SNP – Labour Capital Coalition is set to give the green light to a controversial £207 million tram line extension today – despite an ongoing  inquiry into the capital’s original trams debacle. Continue reading Capital Coalition set to vote through £207 million tram extension

Holyrood committee backs Transport Bill … but calls for clarity

Holyrood’s Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee has endorsed the general principles of the Transport (Scotland) Bill but has warned that some of the proposed measures will stretch the financial rrsources of cash-strapped local councils.
 Continue reading Holyrood committee backs Transport Bill … but calls for clarity

Strong public support for ‘radical’ city centre changes, says council

SUNDAY ROAD CLOSURES COMING IN MAY
More than 5000 people contributed their views as part of the ‘Connecting our City, Transforming our Places’ consultation, 88% of whom said they wanted to see changes to the way the city centre is managed.

Continue reading Strong public support for ‘radical’ city centre changes, says council