There has been a lot of movement on George Street in recent years. It used to be a street with two lanes either side and parking from each side available in the middle of the street. It was that way for years.
Then the council thought it might be a good idea to have rising bollards to limit traffic on occasions. Those were a failure and were removed, although it has to be said that the bollards on the High Street are still in place and work perfectly well.
Over this last year the traffic on George Street was redirected so that each side was one way or pedestrianised, and there was a two way cycle lane. The restaurants along the street were encouraged to put up white marquees for outdoor dining, and though that seemed okay in the summer it was not well-used in the winter months.
You are now asked for your views to help the council shape the future of what is one of Edinburgh’s key thoroughfares.
An open day, on Friday 2 October, will give people a final chance to meet the designers, landscape architects, planners and civil engineers working on a long-term vision for George Street. Now that the trial year has come to a conclusion, they will be taking public views as the long-term design begins to take shape.
The trial over this last year has been used to test the impacts on the street and surrounding area when there is more space for pedestrians, cyclists and events, and less space for traffic. The trial was the first time any council in Scotland has used an “Experimental” Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) as a place making and design measure. It is a legal requirement that, at the end of a trial using an ETRO, the street must be returned to its previous layout before the long term plan is settled upon and put to the public.
Councillor Lesley Hinds said: “During the time-limited year-long trial on George Street we worked closely with local residents, businesses, transport groups, heritage bodies and members of the public to test what worked and what did not. Put simply, we want George Street to reach its full potential.
“People’s views are important in helping us to do that. Over the past year public quarterly meetings were held at the Assembly Rooms, with capacity attendances, where the Council encouraged experts and local people to run the research project, ensuring the results of the trial were credible. 1,200 people provided their views to an independent research team. Now, on 2 October, you can give your views on the future layout for this great street directly to the design team.”
The public meeting on Friday 2 October from 2pm until 7pm in the Assembly Rooms is an important last chance for residents to have their say on the future layout for George Street.
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
