We are well-used to traffic diversions and disruptions in Edinburgh, and now the Commonwealth Games will affect us with the diving competitions being held at the Royal Commonwealth Pool. Detailed plans for traffic management around the area during this summer’s Commonwealth Games have been revealed this week.
The Edinburgh Reporter thinks it might be a good idea for you to get on your bike or walk to the pool, and there will undoubtedly be a Lothian Bus to take you within walking distance too. But the events will of course affect local residents in the area.
The announcement from Games organisers coincides with a round of information sessions which will be held during May to cover specific plans around what traffic, travel and parking options are available across all Commonwealth Games venues.
In partnership with the Get Ready Glasgow campaign, The City of Edinburgh Council will be issuing an invitation in late April to local residents and businesses to attend a drop-in day on 26 May. At this session, Games officials will host a workshop on crowd management plans for the Royal Commonwealth Pool and will answer key questions on parking and diversions.
Temporary traffic management measures being brought in for the Games are intended to protect residents and businesses around competition venues from informal spectator parking and ensure Games related traffic, including athletes and officials, are able to get to venues in time.
They also manage the flow of spectators to and from venues, ensuring that they arrive and exit events as quickly and as safely as possible and have been designed to make sure that walking, cycling and public transport are the best ways to get to the Games encouraging spectators leave their cars at home.
Within 10 minutes’ walk of a venue, parking restrictions are likely to be in force in order to protect residents and businesses. Some restrictions and diversions may also be in place within 20 minutes.
To help businesses with their planning, a map have been produced to provide a guide of the traffic management and parking measures that will be in place for the Royal Commonwealth Pool in the run up to and during the Games.
Councillor Lesley Hinds, Transport Convener at the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “It is our priority to ensure the safety of the thousands of spectators set to flock to the Royal Commonwealth Pool this summer, and to reduce any disruption to local traffic.
“The drop in day in May will be an opportunity for local residents and business owners to air any concerns and to find out more about changes to roads and parking in the Southside and Newington areas.
“It is important that we continue to work with Glasgow 2014 to make sure travel to and from the competition event runs smoothly.”
Michael Renshaw, Glasgow 2014 Director of Transport, said: “The success of the Games doesn’t start and end inside the Games venues, we want to make sure that everyone attending to the Games is able to get around the city quickly, safely and easily.
“We are encouraging spectators to walk, cycle, use public transport or use a park-and-ride site to the venue. The measures in the Local Area Traffic Management and Parking plans are integral to making this as easy as possible for spectators.
“We are also committed to making sure that the people who live, work and operate businesses in this fantastic host city are able to go about their days with minimal disruption. This is central to all our Transport plans.”
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