Tag: transport

Transport leaders welcome support for retaining Spaces for People/Travelling Safely measures

Edinburgh’s Transport leaders have welcomed calls by more than 140 medical professionals to retain and expand upon measures introduced to support walking, wheeling and cycling during lockdown.

Doctors and health workers from across the city have published an open letter to the City of Edinburgh Council in support of the Travelling Safely programme, formerly Spaces for People.

The group cites the positive impacts of more active travel on health, inequality, air quality and in tackling the climate crisis, amongst other benefits.

In June, Transport and Environment Committee approved proposals to retain some of the schemes on an experimental basis, to remove others post-pandemic and to engage further with communities on options for a handful of measures.

Councillor Lesley Macinnes, Transport and Environment Convener said: “The collective voice of this wide range of medical and health professionals is incredibly welcome.

“We’ve been vocal about our commitment to encourage travel by foot, wheel or bike, and the benefits this brings, but to have the support of the medical profession demonstrates just how crucial investment in safe, protected routes is.

“Over the last year and a half we’ve introduced changes which have helped many people to feel newly confident about walking, cycling and wheeling safely. There are, of course, tens of thousands of people in Edinburgh who don’t have access to a car. We now have the opportunity to extend the lifespan of many of these measures and to improve upon them so that they work for as many people as possible.

“The evidence is clear and well expressed in this letter – there’s so much to gain from active travel, in terms of health, quality of life and in limiting our impact on the climate. We simply cannot return to the status quo, where private car journeys dominate the streets.

“By retaining the majority of schemes introduced through Spaces for People, we’re laying the foundations for a happier, healthier future for everyone here.

Councillor Karen Doran, Transport and Environment Vice Convener, said: “It’s indisputable that walking, wheeling or cycling, whether for leisure or commuting, has a positive impact on our health, our state of mind and our pockets, as well as the air we breathe. We wholeheartedly recognise and support these calls to retain and expand on the measures we’ve introduced during the pandemic.

“Temporary protected cycle lanes, widened pavements and quiet routes have helped families to walk safely to school, shoppers to spend time strolling through some of our iconic city centre streets and people trying out cycling for the first time.

“We really want to continue delivering these benefits, and we’ll be working hard to make sure the measures we have kept do just that.”

Read the full letter below:

Open letter to the City of Edinburgh Council 

Dear Councillors,  

We are a group of doctors and other health professionals, living or working in Edinburgh, and write to support the retention and extension of changes to travel infrastructure in Edinburgh and the Lothians, to improve public health and mitigate climate emergency. We hope that the points and evidence below will support the council to make decisions that will help to benefit, protect, and reduce inequalities in the health of the population of Edinburgh.  

Climate crisis and health 

One of the duties of a doctor as stated by the General Medical Council is “to protect and promote the health of patients and the public”1. As health professionals we have been reminded by our professional bodies of our responsibilities to raise the profile of the climate emergency, which is a public health emergency likely to have a much greater impact than COVID-192,3.

We have a responsibility to speak up for disadvantaged groups who are disproportionately vulnerable to the health and economic impacts of the climate crisis.  

Health Inequality

Those living in areas of deprivation are less likely to drive but much more likely to be injured in a road traffic collision6. Rates of pedestrian casualties are twice as high in children as in adults, and pedestrians over 70 years of age have the highest fatality rate7.  

Many of our patients do not have the financial means, health status, or abilities to access private car transport. Children, the frail elderly, and people with chronic illnesses or disabilities are disadvantaged in opportunities to access services and community by systems which prioritise private car transport.  

Moves to promote safe active travel, including widening of pavements and provision of segregated paths, make the urban environment more accessible for people with disabilities and release road space for reliable and efficient public transport.  

Measures to improve the urban environment and promote active travel in Edinburgh will differentially benefit the most disadvantaged members of our community and so help to reduce health inequalities in Edinburgh. We ask that councillors carefully consider the differential impact of decisions to prioritise private car transport on those for whom private car transport is not an option.  

Air pollution and health 

Air pollution is strongly associated with poor health outcomes. A joint Royal College of Physicians and Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health report estimated that outdoor air pollution causes 40,000 deaths a year in the UK. Data from Scotland shows a particularly strong association between air pollution and respiratory disease and deaths. Transport – predominantly car transport – is the main source of air pollution in Scotland.  

Edinburgh City Council has six Air Quality Management Areas, with concerning levels of air pollution related to vehicular traffic.  

Decisive action from the council to promote active travel and reduce private car traffic in Edinburgh will help to reduce air pollution and associated harm to health.  

Physical activity and health 

Regular physical activity is associated with improved health outcomes at all ages13.  

UK Chief Medical Officers recommend that children and young people should engage in moderate physical activity for at least one hour every day. For adults, 150 minutes of moderate activity per week is associated with a 40% reduction in risk of type 2 diabetes, 35% reduction in heart disease, 25% reduction in joint and back pain, and 20% reduction in bowel and breast cancer13.  

National data indicates that in Scotland during 2019 only 66% of adults met this target, whilst in the same year fewer than 50% of journeys under two miles were made on foot14.  

Segregated active travel infrastructure allows everyone to increase their physical activity levels through active travel; not only those who already enjoy regular physical activity.  

We ask that the council considers the beneficial and protective health effects of physical activity when considering its decisions about travel infrastructure in Edinburgh.   

Behaviour change for public health 

Changing established patterns of behaviour is difficult. We understand that a move away from the current position of private car dependency can feel difficult.  

Bold Scottish strategies have led to strikingly effective population shifts in behaviour for better health; tobacco smoking restrictions have saved many lives, and early data suggests that minimum alcohol unit pricing has reduced the amount of alcohol purchased by the heaviest alcohol consumers15,16. Both of these strategies met with initial resistance, but are now broadly supported. 

Now, local government in Edinburgh has the potential to lead a bold and exemplary modal shift away from car-dependence which will benefit and protect the health of the people of Edinburgh.

Key Points

  • As health professionals, we have a responsibility to protect and promote the health of the population. We have a responsibility to address inequalities and to advocate for the needs of the most deprived and disadvantaged members of the population we serve.  
  • We are concerned about the impact of the climate crisis on health, globally and locally. 
  • We are concerned about harms to health caused by air pollution in Edinburgh. 
  • Regular physical activity is associated with improved health outcomes at all ages.  
  • We support the retention, and further development and integration of infrastructures designed to support active travel and clean air for the whole population of Edinburgh, to mitigate inequalities in health, local mobility, and air quality.  
  • This includes quiet routes in the vicinity of schools to allow safe active travel for families, an integrated network of segregated safe paths for cycling, city-wide subsidised cycle hire programmes, and low-emission zones.  
  • We are concerned that suggested steps to reverse active travel measures introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic would be a retrograde and harmful step for the health of the population of Edinburgh.  

Yours sincerely, 

Dr Laura McWhirter, Consultant Neuropsychiatrist, Edinburgh
Neil Aitken, Physiotherapist, Neil Aitken Physiotherapy Ltd, Edinburgh
Dr Niall H. Anderson, Senior Lecturer in Medical Statistics, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh
Dr Ross Archibald, Consultant in Emergency Medicine, NHS Lothian
Dr Elika Aspinall, General Practitioner, NHS Lothian
Dr Katherine Atkins, Chancellor’s Fellow, Edinburgh Medical School, University of Edinburgh
Dr Paul Bailey, General Practitioner, NHS Lothian
Miss Emily Baird, Consultant, Children’s Orthopaedics, Royal Hospital for Children and Young People Edinburgh
Dr Kasia Banas, UG Talent Lead and Programme Director in Data-Driven Innovation for Health and Social Care, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh
Dr Ravneet Batra, Consultant Liaison Psychiatrist, Regional Infectious Diseases Unit, Western General Hospital
Dr Roland Baumann, General Practitioner, Niddrie Medical Practice, Edinburgh
Dr Craig Beattie, Consultant Anaesthetist, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
Dr Monika Beatty, Consultant in Critical Care, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
Dr Sam Bennett, Foundation Doctor, Acute Medicine, Western General Hospital
Ms Katherine Bethell, Advanced Nurse Practitioner and Programme Manager, Chalmers Sexual Health Centre (Lothian) and Sandyford Centre (GGC)
Dr David Birrell, Emergency medicine trainee, Royal infirmary of Edinburgh; Honorary Clinical Fellow, University of Edinburgh
Professor James Boardman, Professor of Neonatal Medicine, University of Edinburgh
Dr Friederike Boellert, Respiratory Consultant, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh
Dr Kirsty Boyd, Reader in Palliative Care, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh
Dr Tom Bloomfield, Consultant Anaesthetist, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
Mr Paul Brennan, Reader and Honorary Consultant Neurosurgeon, University of Edinburgh and NHS Lothian
Mr Iain Brown, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
Dr John Budd, General Practitioner, Edinburgh Access Practice, and Co-ordinator of Lothian Deprivation Interest Group
Dr Rosamunde Burns, Consultant Anaesthetist, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
Dr Peter Cairns, General Practitioner, Wester Hailes Medical Practice
Professor Alan Carson, Consultant Neuropsychiatrist, University of Edinburgh
Dr Simon Chillingworth, Consultant Anaesthetist, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
Professor Richard Chin, Professor of Paediatric Neurology and Clinical Epidemiology, Honorary Consultant Paediatric Neurologist, University of Edinburgh and The Royal Hospital for Children and Young People
Dr Sarah Clay, Locum General Practitioner, Niddrie Medical Practice, and Specialty Doctor in Palliative Care
Dr Elizabeth Cole, Anaesthetics registrar, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
Dr Catherine Collinson, Consultant Anaesthetist, Department of Anaesthesia, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
Dr Claire Cooke-Jones, Trainee Anaesthetist, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
Dr Robert Cooke-Jones, Trainee General Practitioner, Inchpark Surgery, Edinburgh
Dr Nadine Cossette, Consultant Liaison Psychiatrist, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
Dr Helen Creedon, Clinical Fellow in Oncology, University of Edinburgh
Dr Julia Critchley, Consultant Anaesthetist, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
Dr Craig Davidson, Consultant in Emergency Medicine, NHS Lothian
Professor Adrian Davis, Professor of Transport & Health, Edinburgh Napier University
Dr Christopher Dickens, General Practitioner, Edinburgh
Ms Lynsey Downie, Anaesthesia Associate, Edinburgh Royal Infirmary
Mr Andrew Duckworth, Senior Lecturer and Consultant Orthopaedic Trauma Surgeon, Edinburgh Orthopaedics and University of Edinburgh
Mr Joseph Duncumb, Orthopaedic Surgery Registrar, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
Dr Tamasin Evans, Consultant Clinical Oncologist, Edinburgh Cancer Centre
Dr Alasdair Fitzgerald, Clinical Lead, Rehabilitation Services and Consultant in Neurorehabilitation, Astley Ainslie Hospital, Edinburgh
Dr Nicholas Fletcher, Trainee General Practitioner, NHS Education Scotland
Professor Sue Fletcher-Watson, Chair in Developmental Psychology, Division of Psychiatry, University of Edinburgh
Mr Martin Gemmell, Principal Educational Psychologist, City of Edinburgh Council
Ms Paula Gardiner, Neurological Specialist Physiotherapist and Cognitive Behavioural Therapist, Edinburgh
Dr Cameron J Fairfield, Clinical Research Fellow, University of Edinburgh
Dr Gavin Francis, General Practitioner, Dalkeith Road Medical Practice, Edinburgh
Dr Allan Gordon, Retired Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Edinburgh
Dr Claire Gordon, Consultant in Acute Medicine, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh
Dr Rebecca Gormley, Anaesthetic Core Trainee, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
Dr Peter S Hall, Honorary Consultant Medical Oncologist, Edinburgh Cancer Centre at St John’s Hospital and the Western General Hospital
Dr Helen Hare, Junior Doctor, Edinburgh Royal Infirmary
Dr Simon Heaney, Consultant Anaesthetist, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
Dr Ingrid Hoeritzauer, Consultant Neurologist and Acute Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitation, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
Dr Catriona Howes, Consultant Psychiatrist, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh
Dr Seán Keating, Consultant in Cardiothoracic Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
Dr Malik Jahangeer, Consultant Clinical Oncologist and Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer, University of Edinburgh
Dr Marc Janssens, Consultant Anaesthetist, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
Mr Aimun Jamjoom, Speciality Neurosurgery Trainee, Edinburgh Royal Infirmary
Dr Michelle Jeffrey, Consultant Sports and Exercise Medicine, Sportscotland Institute of Sport, Oriam, Edinburgh
Dr Guy Johnson, General Practitioner (retired), Sighthill Health Centre
Professor John Keating, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh; Honorary Senior Lecturer, Edinburgh University
Dr Stephanie Kelly, Clinical Fellow in Intensive Care, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
Dr Dean Kerslake, Consultant, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
Dr Alice King, Trainee General Practitioner, Edinburgh
Dr Oliver Koch, Consultant & Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer in Infectious Diseases, Regional Infectious Diseases Unit, Western General Hospital
Dr Rebecca Lawrence, Consultant Psychiatrist in Addictions, Royal Edinburgh  Hospital
Mr Graham Lawson, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
Yvonne Leavy, Lead Clinical Nurse Specialist (epilepsy) Department for Clinical Neurosciences, RHCYP, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
Dr Katharine Logan, Consultant Psychiatrist in Psychotherapy, Rivers Centre, Edinburgh
Dr Nazir Lone, Honorary Consultant and Senior Lecturer in Critical Care, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, NHS Lothian and University of Edinburgh
Dr Carey Lunan, General Practitioner, Craigmillar Medical GroupDr Saturnino Luz, Reader in Medical Informatics, Usher Institute, Medical School, The University of Edinburgh
Dr Saturnino Luz, Reader in Medical Informatics, Usher Institute, Medical School, The University of Edinburgh
Dr Sonia MacCallum, General Practitioner, Niddrie Medical Practice
Dr Claire Mackintosh, Consultant Infectious Disease Physician and Clinical Director, Regional Infectious Disease Unit, NHS Lothian
Dr Ivan Marples, Consultant in Pain Medicine and Anaesthesia, Leith Community Treatment Centre
Dr Katie Marwick, Clinical Lecturer in Psychiatry, University of Edinburgh
Dr Alexander von Maydell, Junior Doctor, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
Miss Julie McBirnie, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Spire Shawfair Park Hospital
Professor Alison McCallum, Centre for Population Health Sciences, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh
Dr Dermot McKeown, Consultant Anaesthetist, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
Professor Andrew McIntosh, Professor of Biological Psychiatry and Honorary Consultant Psychiatrist, University of Edinburgh
Dr Christina McManus, Doctor, Western General Hospital
Dr Carinne McMurray, General Practitioner, Craigmillar Medical Group
Professor Stewart Mercer, Professor of Primary Care and Multimorbidity, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh; General Practitioner, NHS Lothian
Dr Eve Miller-Hodges, Senior Clinical Lecturer & Honorary Consultant in Inherited Metabolic Disorders and Renal Medicine, Scottish Inherited Metabolic Disorders Service & University of Edinburgh
Dr Lyle Moncur, Consultant in Emergency Medicine, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
Mr Matthew Moran, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
Dr Catriona Morton, General Practitioner, Craigmillar Medical Group
Dr Megan Mowbray, Consultant Dermatologist, Clinical Lead Dermatology, Skin Cancer Lead NHS Fife, Queen Margaret Hospital, Dunfermline (& resident of Edinburgh)
Mr Samuel Molyneux, Consultant in Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
Ms Mome Mukherjee, Senior Research Fellow, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh
Dr Nóra Murray-Cavanagh, Clinical Lead General Practitioner, Wester Hailes Medical Practice
Dr Susan Nelson, General Practitioner, Mackenzie Medical Centre, Edinburgh
Dr Anna Noble, General Practitioner, Wester Hailes Medical Practice
David Obree, Archie Duncan Fellow in Medical Ethics and Fellow in Medical Education, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh
Dr Richard O’Brien, Consultant Stroke Physician, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Honorary Clinical Senior Lecturer, University of Edinburgh
Dr Laura O’Conaire, General Practitioner, Braefoot Medical Practice, Edinburgh
Dr Rory O’Conaire, General Practitioner, West End Medical Practice, Edinburgh
Dr Ailis Orr, Consultant Paediatrician, Royal Hospital for Children and Young People, Edinburgh
Mr James Patton, Clinical Director Orthopaedics, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Royal Infirmary Edinburgh
Dr. Meghan Perry, Consultant Physician and Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer in Infectious Diseases and General Internal Medicine, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh
Dr Sharon Peoples, Consultant in Clinical Oncology, Edinburgh Cancer Centre
Professor Martyn Pickersgill, Co-Director of Research, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh
Dr Evgeniya Plotnikova, Teaching Fellow, Master of Public Health Programme, University of Edinburgh
Dr S.G. Potts, Consultant in Transplant Psychiatry, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
Dr Michael Quinn, General Practitioner, Craigmillar Medical Group
Dr Martin Quirke, Research Fellow, Centre for Environment, Dementia and Ageing Research, University of Stirling (& resident of Edinburgh)
Dr Kristiina Rannikmäe, Consultant Neurologist and Clinical Research Fellow, Forth Valley Royal Hospital and University of Edinburgh
Ms Aїcha Reid, Registered Educational Psychologist, Edinburgh
Dr Helga Rhein, General Practitioner (retired), Edinburgh
Dr Helen Riches, General Practitioner, Restalrig Park Medical Centre, Edinburgh
Professor Craig Ritchie, Professor of Psychiatry of Ageing, University of Edinburgh; Director of Brain Health Scotland
Dr Alasdair Ruthven, Consultant Anaesthetist, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
Professor Rustam Al-Shahi Salman, Professor of Clinical Neurology at the University of Edinburgh; Honorary consultant neurologist in NHS Lothian
Dr Euan Sandilands, Consultant Toxicologist and Director National Poisons Information Service (Edinburgh); Honorary Clinical Senior Lecturer, University of Edinburgh
Ms Chloe Scott, Consultant Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
Dr Ann Sergeant, Consultant Dermatologist, NHS Fife (Edinburgh resident)
Dr Anthony Simon, General Practitioner, Craigmillar Medical Group
Dr Chris Smith, Foundation Doctor, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh
Dr Nick Spencer, Anaesthetic Trainee, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh
Dr Andrew Stanfield, Senior Clinical Research Fellow and Honorary Consultant Psychiatrist, University of Edinburgh
Dr Elizabeth Steel, Consultant Anaesthetist, Royal infirmary Edinburgh
Professor Jon Stone, Consultant Neurologist, Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and University of Edinburgh
Professor Cathie Sudlow, Professor of Neurology and Clinical Epidemiology and Head of the Centre for Medical Informatics, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh
Dr Digby Thomas, General Practitioner to the homeless 2001-2021, Edinburgh Homeless/Access Practice
Dr Sarah Thompson, Consultant Anaesthetist, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
Professor Lindsay Thomson, Professor of Forensic Psychiatry, University of Edinburgh; Medical Director of the State Hospitals Board for Scotland and the Forensic Mental Health Managed Care Network
Dr Fionn Toolis, General Practitioner, Wester Hailes Medical Practice, Edinburgh
Professor Neil Turner, Professor of Nephrology, University of Edinburgh; Honorary Consultant, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
Dr Stefan Unger, Consultant Respiratory Paediatrician, Royal Hospital for Children and Young People
Dr Helen Usher, Consultant Anaesthetist, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
Dr Anna te Water Naudé, Acute Medicine Core Trainee, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
Stephen Walls, Senior Charge Nurse, General Intensive Care, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
Dr Charles Wallis, Consultant Anaesthetist and Chair of Bicycle Users Group, Western General Hospital
Dr Andrew Watson, Associate Medical Director for Psychiatry, NHS Lothian
Ms Abby White, Psychiatric Nurse, Edinburgh
Mr T.O. White, Consultant Orthopaedic Trauma Surgeon (Clinical Lead for Trauma), Royal Infirmary Edinburgh, and Honorary Lecturer, University of Edinburgh
Dr William Whiteley, Reader in Neurology, University of Edinburgh; Honorary Consultant Neurologist, NHS Lothian
Dr E.B. Wilson, Emergency Department Consultant, Emergency Department, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
Dr Hilary Young, General Practitioner, Mackenzie Medical Centre / University of Edinburgh

Post-publication supporters: (added after 6th September 2021):

Dr Anna Gaskell, General Practitioner, Newbattle Medical Practice
Dr Andrew Grant, Consultant Anaesthetist, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
Lydia Howells, Lead Nurse for Quality & Standards, NHS Lothian
Dr Catriona McLean, Clinical Director and Consultant Clinical Oncologist – Lower GI Cancer, Edinburgh Cancer Centre
Professor Gillian Mead, Chair of Stroke and Elderly Medicine, University of Edinburgh
Dr David Noble, Consultant Clinical Oncologist, Edinburgh Cancer Centre
Dr Faye Robertson, Oncology Registrar, Edinburgh Cancer Centre
Professor Roy Robertson, Chair of Addiction Medicine, University of Edinburgh, and General Practitioner, Edinburgh
Louise Starkey, Practice Nurse, Slateford Medical Practice, Edinburgh
Dr Lucy Wall, Consultant Medical Oncologist, Edinburgh Cancer Centre

Find out more about the Travelling Safely programme on the Council website.

Fuelling a greener future: E10 petrol now available at pumps

  • pumps up and down the country will now serve greener E10 petrol which could cut transport emissions by the equivalent of taking 350,000 cars off the road each year
  • drivers can check to see if their vehicle is compatible, with E5 petrol remaining available for the minority of older vehicles which aren’t compatible
  • introduction will boost job opportunities in the north-east of England, making way for a green industrial revolution as we build back better and reduce our carbon footprint

Fuel pumps across Great Britain are now greener, with the introduction of E10 as the new standard grade of petrol, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has announced today (1 September 2021).

Over 95% of all petrol vehicles are compatible with E10, with the small number of older vehicles, including classic cars and some from the early 2000s, still able to access E5 petrol in the ‘Super’ grade. Motorists should use the government’s free online E10 checker to see if their vehicle is compatible.

E10 will not be more expensive at the pump than current standard petrol. Although using E10 petrol can marginally impact fuel economy – generally around 1% – this will be almost unnoticeable to most drivers when making every day journeys.

E10 petrol – which is blended with up to 10% renewable ethanol and made up of materials such as low-grade grains, sugars and waste wood, making it greener than existing petrol – could cut transport CO2 emissions by 750,000 tonnes per year, which is the equivalent of taking 350,000 cars off of UK roads. The move will help us reach our climate change goals as we prepare to host COP26 this November and makes it easier for people across the country to switch to greener lifestyles.

The E10 rollout this month will also support the increased production of biofuels at bioethanol plants in the north-east of England. Not only will this boost job opportunities in the local area, with the 2 big plants providing around 200 skilled jobs directly, it will also support thousands in the wider local economy including in the agriculture sector that supply the feed-wheat needed to run the plant.

This will help to build a new green economy, revitalising our industrial heartlands and supporting the UK’s wider bioeconomy as we build back greener from the pandemic.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “Every journey matters as we drive forward the green industrial revolution, which is why the rollout of E10 is so important. It’ll help us cut road greenhouse gas emissions and meet our ambitious net zero targets.

“Although more and more drivers are switching to electric, there are steps we can take today to reduce emissions from the millions of vehicles already on our roads – the small switch to E10 petrol will reduce greenhouse gas emissions as we accelerate towards a greener transport future.

Edmund King OBE, AA president, said: “This is a positive and simple step to help reduce the carbon impact from road transport. While the vast majority of vehicles will be unaffected by the change, it is important for owners of older cars to use the government’s vehicle checker to see if they can use E10.

“Even if E10 is put in a non-compliant vehicle, drivers should not panic and can simply put super unleaded in their tank at the next available opportunity.”

The Big Event Online gets disabled drivers on the road – from the comfort of their own homes

Free and informative event available online for a limited time

The first ever online version of The Big Event saw 3,200 disabled people, carers and their friends and families tune in to learn about worry-free motoring with the Motability Scheme. The online event, which took place on 6-7 August 2021, was free to join and welcomed everyone from the comfort of their own homes.

For anyone who missed the live days, The Big Event content is still available online until 30 September 2021, simply visit: thebigevent.motability.co.uk.

The online event included a packed agenda of expert Speaker Sessions, providing helpful information and answering questions live on air. Hosted by Scheme customer and transport and travel consultant Helen Dolphin, these sessions proved extremely popular with over 5,500 views.

Topics discussed included electric vehicles, adaptations, Blue Badge fraud, challenges in the UK car market, WAVs, powered wheelchairs and scooters and the launch of the 2021 Euan’s Guide Access Survey. These informative and fun Speaker Sessions are available to watch on demand and can be found in the virtual Auditorium at The Big Event online. 

The event also showcased the UK’s largest online display of vehicles available on the Motability Scheme. Visitors were able to interact with exhibitors including Scheme partners such as Kwik Fit, RSA and RAC, as well as manufacturers who displayed popular makes and models available to lease through the Scheme.

This included 27 car manufacturers, 24 Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles and adaptation suppliers and 12 powered wheelchair and scooter manufacturers. Visitors were able to browse plenty of useful documents and videos, as well as connect with exhibitors through live chat. All this valuable information (apart from the live chat function) is still available to explore until the event officially closes at the end of September.

Louise Vranic, The Big Event organiser, Motability Operations Ltd, said: “It was great that so many visitors found The Big Event online useful and informative, and we were so pleased by the amount of content and support provided by exhibitors and Scheme partners.

“We knew it would be hard to replace our physical events, where visitors can explore vehicles first-hand and test drive them, but we hope this online event has helped to bridge the gap, as well as attracting visitors who have previously been unable to attend our physical events.

“We are looking forward to 2022, where we will be back with a mixture of physical and online events, so we can continue to bring our One Big Day programme to as many people as possible.”

To visit The Big Event Online head to thebigevent.motability.co.uk.

For more information on leasing a car, scooter or powered wheelchair through the Motability Scheme, visit motability.co.uk or call 0800 953 7000.

Edinburgh’s proposed Low Emission Zone: share your views

The City of Edinburgh Council aims to reduce air pollution, since it presents a significant threat to public health. It is especially harmful to young children, the elderly and those suffering from pre-existing conditions, including heart and lung diseases.

Low Emission Zones (LEZs) are being introduced across Scotland’s four largest cities: Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Dundee in response to dangerous levels of air pollution, primarily nitrogen dioxide (NO2), generated by road traffic.

Low Emission Zones (LEZs) aspire to improve public health, by discouraging the most polluting vehicles from entering an area. If a vehicle entering a LEZ does not meet the minimum exhaust emission standard, then a penalty fine is issued.

The council says the zone is intended to only target the most polluting vehicles:

‘Only the most polluting vehicles will be affected by our proposed #LowEmissionZone and there will be exemptions for vehicles like the emergency services and blue badge holders’.

The city council is now consulting on it’s proposals and would like to hear your views.

Find out more and share your views here:

https://consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/sfc/low-emission-zone/

The consultation closes on 20 September.

Transforming George Street

Councillors to discuss ‘transformational’ latest plans

Core elements of an ambitious final concept design for transforming Edinburgh’s George Street and First New Town (GNT) have been published, along with an updated future operational plan.

A final concept design for the project, which aims to create a people friendly setting, better walking, cycling and wheeling links and a more attractive environment, was unveiled in February.

A subsequent public engagement exercise in March revealed broad support for plans. Work with key stakeholder groups including Edinburgh Word Heritage, Essential Edinburgh, Living Streets, George Street Association and Spokes and consultation with the wider public has helped inform core elements and design principles to underpin final plans.

These include wider pavements on both sides of George Street, ‘greening’ and landscaping sensitive to the area’s heritage and the creation of a ‘cycling street’.

Fundamental design elements also encompass the removal of buses and all other non-essential traffic from George Street, in line with the City Mobility Plan, as well as a reduction in parking bays to free up space for walking, cycling and wheeling.

A series of proposed operational changes would support the area’s transformation and will form the basis of the development of the statutory notice process which is required to enable construction of the scheme.

There will be further development of the operational plan during the next design stage of the project, beginning in September. Proposed operational principles will be finalised in partnership with key stakeholders, local businesses and residents.

Key principles of the operational plan cover the delivery of pedestrian and cycling priority, the prioritisation of blue badge parking and removing all but essential motor traffic from George Street, amongst other operational changes.

Councillor Lesley Macinnes, Transport and Environment Convener, said: “We’ve reached a key stage as we move forward with this major project to transform George Street and the surrounding areas. These fundamental elements for the design and operation of the scheme will be central to its realisation over the coming years.

“This is exactly the kind of transformational change we want to effect in Edinburgh. Not only will wider pavements, significantly improved cycling infrastructure and relaxed, landscaped areas in-keeping with the historic surroundings create a safer, welcoming environment for people to spend time in, but it will support travel by foot, bike or wheel. Facilitating sustainable transport is crucial if we are to meet our zero carbon goals and improve air quality for future generations.”

Councillor Karen Doran, Transport and Environment Vice Convener, said: “We’ve worked hard to involve the community, businesses and active travel, accessibility and heritage groups in the development of these plans, and their feedback has been essential.

Now, as we progress further, we want to continue to bring all those who have contributed with us, and we’ll continue to engage with them as we take the next, exciting steps towards the project’s delivery.”

The GNT project is a key component of the Edinburgh City Centre Transformation (ECCT) strategy and delivery plan and its formation follows years of engagement and development with the community, businesses and other stakeholders. This included a year-long trial in 2014 and 15.

Its delivery will be closely linked with other major active travel schemes planned for the city centre, namely Meadows to George Street (MGS) and City Centre West to East Link (CCWEL). In addition, it aligns with the recently approved City Mobility Plan (CMP), which targets a redesign of the bus network by 2025, based on the ‘to not through’ principle, and a car-free city centre by 2030.

During the next design stage for GNT it is expected that sufficient detail will emerge from the design process to enable the commencement of the necessary statutory consents by the end of 2021, under which the power to construct the scheme would be obtained.

The project is being supported by funding of up to £20 million secured from the Sustrans Places for Everyone programme, with 100% of design costs and 70% of construction costs covered by the grant award.

Read the full report, George Street and First New Town – Final Concept Design and Operational Plan Update, on the Council website.

You can watch discussion of the report by Transport and Environment Committee live from 10am on Thursday, 19 August via webcast.

Controversial Spaces for People initiative’s now Travelling Safely!

Council’s Capital Coalition to outline next steps for Spaces for People Travelling Safely programme

The city council’s Transport and Environment Committee will hear an update on the future of measures introduced to help people walk, cycle and wheel safely during the COVID pandemic on Thursday (19 August).

Under the Travelling Safely programme (formerly Spaces for People) steps are being taken to retain some schemes on an experimental basis, to remove others post-pandemic and to engage further with communities on options for a handful of measures – and those proposals have come in for plenty of stick, too.

Following approval by full Council to extend the lifespan of many interventions, officers are carrying out a ‘technical review’ of the changes. This involves detailed scheme reviews and considering comments received during public consultation and, where appropriate, improving designs. Engagement and design sessions will then be carried out with key stakeholders including the emergency services, public transport operators and access groups.

As agreed by Council, a number of schemes – Lanark Road, Comiston Road, Braid Road and Drum Brae North – will be subject to more detailed consideration and engagement with local communities to develop options for their retention or modification. A report on these will be brought to committee in October.

In line with a motion to Council in June, future plans for George IV Bridge have been considered.

Three options have been put forward – retaining the current scheme; revisions to the design, including moving segregation closer to the kerb and adding kerbside loading areas; or removing the scheme entirely.

Removing the scheme and reinstating the original road layout has been recommended to improve access for public transport and local businesses’ deliveries.

Permanent, long-term changes are planned under the Meadows to George Street project.

Councillor Lesley Macinnes, Transport and Environment Convener, said: “Over the last year and a half the Spaces for People programme has helped people to travel safely by bike while restrictions were in place on public transport, given room for parents to drop their children at school while physically distancing and provided much-needed space for exercise during the depths of lockdown, amongst other benefits.

“Now, as restrictions are lifted, we’re looking to the future of these changes, and how they can support people to make journeys by foot, bike or wheel. Right now, officers are working hard to review and improve those schemes being retained longer term, to engage with community members on those where further development is needed and carefully plan for the removal of measures that we agreed to wind down.”

Councillor Karen Doran, Transport and Environment Vice Convener, said: “Thanks to feedback to the major consultation carried out earlier this year we’ve been able to carefully assess the schemes we’re planning to keep on an experimental basis for any changes that could be made.

“We’re also continuing to listen to residents, businesses and public transport operators. As a result we’re planning to make some immediate amendments to schemes to make sure they work for everyone, particularly as traffic levels return to normal.”

It is proposed that measures approved for removal, primarily in town centres, should be taken out after the festival, in line with Scottish Government guidance.

This will involve careful planning and communication with stakeholders, in particular organisations like the RNIB and Guide Dogs Scotland. Some immediate changes are recommended, such as the removal of the widened footpath on St John’s Road, due to the likely impact on bus services.

While schemes introduced around schools, such as motor traffic restrictions, have been largely set aside over the summer, the majority will be reinstated around term start dates in August. Over the coming months the Road Safety team will undertake a review of measures around schools to consider retaining them by appropriate traffic orders.

Read the full report – Active Travel Measures – Travelling Safely (Formerly Spaces for People) – on the Council website.

You can watch members of the Transport and Environment Committee discuss the report live via webcast from 10am on Thursday, 19 August.

Inverleith Neighbourhood Network to meet on Tuesday

Dear Inverleith Neighbourhood Network (NN)

The next meeting of this group is Tuesday 17th August at 6pm on Teams (link below)

Please find attached:

  • Minute of previous meeting of 24th June 2021
  • Agenda for meeting of 17th August 2021
  • NEP report (Roads and Housing Revenue Account HRA)
  • Transport Infrastructure Investment report

We have no Community Grants applications to consider at this meeting, but Cllr Barrie is still looking for volunteers to join a Funding Panel that will consider any applications in future.

We are particularly keen to have anyone representing projects in the Drylaw Telford area.

Please get back to me if you are willing to assist in this.

INN-Agenda-170821Download

Inverleith-NEP-proposals-HRA-2021-22Download
Inverleith-NEP-updates-Roads-2021-22-240621Download

Transport-Infrastructure-Investment-Capital-Delivery-Priorities__-for-2021-22Download

Inverleith-NN-Notes-240621-finalDownload

Click here to join the meeting

Elaine Lennon

North West Lifelong Learning Development Officer, City of Edinburgh Council

8 West Pilton Gardens, Edinburgh, EH4 4DP

Tel: 0131 529 5270 / 35270

Shop local? Telford housing application faces local opposition

An application to build new homes in Telford is facing opposition.

Port of Leith Housing Association has lodged plans to build eleven flats on the site of the shops on Telford Drive, but one resident has appealed to Drylaw Telford Community Council to challenge the application.

At one time there was a row of shops on the site at the heart of the scheme – older readers may recall a fish and chip shop, a haberdashery and a general store there – but the last remaining convenience store closed last year.

The nearest shops for Telford residents are at Ferry Road ‘shopping centre’ in Drylaw or over the busy Telford Road at Craigleith Retail Park – and at least one Telford woman thinks this is wrong.

She told Drylaw Telford Community Council: “When the shop closed in January 2020 it was to make way for flats and a convenience store included, but with covid that all fell through.

“We have waited on the same plans to re-emerge, only to find out that the council are giving planning permission according to a report in Edinburgh live yesterday , for the flats only.

“I am outraged as our nearest shop is the Today store in Drylaw and it is a long journey for most and to carry shopping is very hard.

“I have lived in this street for over 50 years and we have always had a shop here – Sohil the shop owner was reluctant to give up this land but he was promised a new shop would be built and he would have a choice to come back and run it.

“The residents of Telford Drive need a shop in our street – not everyone has a car.” 

Drylaw Telford Community Council will discuss the application at their August meeting.

Government urged to reform the planning system to reach net zero

Centre for Cities: Planning and transport changes in cities would bring UK 26% closer to its target

  • Make it easier to build energy efficient low-rise flats and terraces in city centres and suburbs
  • Improve public transport and charge polluting drivers to halve urban car emissions
  • Encourage people to ditch their cars post-pandemic

The Government needs to press ahead with planning reform to meet its net zero target according to Centre for Cities’ research in partnership with HSBC UK.

Its campaign should begin in cities which, despite being big carbon emitters, have the best chance of leading the UK to net zero. The report finds that the right policies targeted in cities will being the UK a quarter of the way closer achieving a carbon neutral future.

Doing this this will require the Government to progress its planned reforms as the current system is a barrier to reaching net zero. They encourage housing development in isolated areas over better-connected inner-city and suburban brownfield sites.

Houses emit more carbon than flats, but they accounted for nearly eight in ten homes built in 2019 – an increase of 12 percentage points since 2013. Therefore, providing a more balanced mix of low-rise flats and terraced houses close to city centres would therefore help the UK reach net zero.

Building new homes centrally would also reduce car dependency. If the share of journeys made by public transport rose from one third to two thirds then urban carbon emissions would halve. Therefore, providing good public transport in all cities is essential to reaching net zero.

The number of people using public transport fell sharply during the pandemic and has not yet reached pre-Covid levels. Reaching net zero will be impossible while so many people continue to shun public transport in favour of cars. Policy makers therefore must encourage the public back onto public transport.

They should also introduce charges to disincentivise non-electric car usage and improve the public transport system in all cities. Doing these together could reduce total urban transport emissions by 87% by 2035.

The report argues that, to help cities reach net zero, the Government should:

  • Make it easier to build new energy efficient homes in city centres and suburbs.
  • Reintroduce the £2 billion Green Homes Scheme to retrofit existing homes. This would reduce carbon emissions by around 30% across England and Wales’ largest cities and towns.

And local government leaders should:

  • Improve public transport by bringing buses under public management
  • Introduce Clean Air Zones that charge drivers of the most polluting vehicles.
  • Encourage walking, cycling and public transport usage.

Centre for Cities’ Chief Executive Andrew Carter said: “The majority of people in the UK are based in our cities and largest towns. This means that changing the way that we live, work and move around them will be essential if we’re to reach net zero by 2050.

“Because 64% of the UK’s total carbon emissions come from homes and transport, it will be impossible to reach net zero without changes to our planning and transport systems. If the Government does these together it will help it reach its goals of becoming carbon neutral and levelling up.”

Ian Stuart, CEO of HSBC UK said: “This report shows the key role Britain’s town and cities, and decision-makers leading them, are going to play in helping the UK reach its net-zero ambitions.

“Consumers, businesses and local communities will need support from both central and local government if we’re going to make the big lifestyle changes needed over the coming years in the way we travel and in the way we build and heat our homes.

“There is a real opportunity to build a partnership between the public and private sectors to create the new solutions to meet the climate challenge and to open up new green opportunities for growth for small and medium sized businesses right across the country.  HSBC UK stand ready to play our part in this partnership.” 

Net-Zero-Decarbonising-the-CityDownload

Drivers: Git Oot o’ Toon!

City Centre Low Emission Zone proposed for Edinburgh

A preferred Low Emission Zone (LEZ) scheme for Edinburgh will be put to Transport and Environment Committee members for decision on Thursday (17 June), ahead of a public consultation.

A City Centre LEZ, broadly following the boundary first proposed for consultation in 2019 and applying to all motor vehicles except motorcycles and mopeds, has been recommended for approval.

This has been appraised against two other options – a City Centre LEZ with a revised boundary and a scheme incorporating both City Centre and Extended Urban Area (formerly known as Citywide) LEZs.

An evidence-led approach was taken when appraising the schemes, adhering to the National Low Emission Framework and based on detailed traffic and air quality modelling and data. Each option was assessed against a series of principles and objectives including the reduction of harmful NO2 and greenhouse gas emissions and minimising the displacement of traffic as a result of the LEZ.

If approved, a 12-week public consultation would be carried out seeking views on the preferred scheme. This would inform a report back to committee in autumn before the statutory process to introduce the LEZ begins, with the aim of implementing the scheme in spring 2022.

Once the LEZ is in place, vehicles must meet a minimum emissions standard to enter a zone freely, and those that don’t will be considered non-compliant and subject to penalties. Penalty charges are set nationally at £60 for non-compliant vehicles (though halved if paid within 30 days), with the penalty rate roughly doubling for subsequent contraventions within a 90-day period.

However, there will be a proposed two-year grace period for Edinburgh’s LEZ, meaning enforcement will begin in spring 2024.

Councillor Lesley Macinnes, Transport and Environment Convener, said: “As we approach Clean Air Day, which aims to tackle air pollution and its harmful effects on our health and wellbeing, it’s fitting that we’re progressing our own plans to significantly improve air quality in the city.

“A great deal of analysis and monitoring has gone into the latest proposals for a Low Emission Zone in Edinburgh. This takes into account the urgent need to lower emissions for the good of our health, while remaining aware of the impact on local businesses, residents and on traffic patterns.

“We know from our consultation in 2019 that lowering air pollution matters to everyone, so I look forward to hearing from the public on the preferred option, if approved by committee.”

Councillor Karen Doran, Transport and Environment Vice Convener, said: “We have committed to introducing a Low Emission Zone, both under the national drive to implement LEZs across the country but also through the City Mobility Plan, as part of our plans to deliver a more sustainable, environmentally friendly transport future in Edinburgh.

“We will continue to work closely with residents, businesses and stakeholders as we move a step closer to its introduction, ensuring everyone is well prepared for the changes.”

Work to introduce an LEZ in Edinburgh began in 2018 in line with the Scottish Government’s commitment to implement LEZs in Scotland’s four largest cities – Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Dundee – to tackle air pollution and protect public health.

It was originally intended that LEZs would be in place by 2020 but, due to the COVID pandemic, this date has been pushed back to 2022.

In 2019 the council carried out a public consultation on initial LEZ proposals for a City Centre LEZ applying to all vehicle types, introduced with a one-year grace period, addressing the worst concentrations of air pollution in the densely populated area.

In addition, the Extended Urban Area boundary was put forward to apply to all commercial vehicles – buses, coaches, Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs), Light Goods Vehicles (LGVs), vans, taxis, and private hire cars – with a longer time to prepare (three years).

Responses to the consultation showed that cleaner air is important to everyone but demonstrated mixed views on the suitability of the proposed LEZ. Since then the council has worked with stakeholders including SEStran, Transport Scotland and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) to develop the current proposal.

Officers appraised the options using the National Modelling Framework (NMF) developed by SEPA, along with other modelling and data analysis and feedback from the 2019 consultation. As a result, the City Centre LEZ alone has been recommended over the alternative City Centre LEZ and the Extended Urban Area LEZ.

This is due to various factors including the expected limited impact of the Extended Urban Area zone, with commercial fleet already improving in emissions standards, and predictions that the alternative City Centre zone would have a more negative impact on air quality at its boundary than that of the proposed City Centre LEZ.

While it is not expected that air pollution will get worse elsewhere in the city due to diversions around the boundary, and with cleaner vehicles expected to use the surrounding area, a Network Management Strategy is being developed to mitigate any impacts. This is likely to include junction reconfigurations, improvements to signage and optimised signalling, amongst other measures.

Read the full report, Low Emission Zone – Preferred Scheme for Consultation, on the Council website and watch the committee discussion via webcast, from 10am on Thursday, 17 June.

Find out more about Clean Air Day, which takes place on 17 June.