Backing for the City Centre Transformation plans
Both Living Streets and Spokes campaign for improvements in Edinburgh for pedestrians and cyclists. They are consulted by the council on plans to improve roads and pavements, and they have been an integral sounding board on the council’s plans to transform the city centre.
Transport Convener Lesley Macinnes and Deputy Director of Sustrans Daisy Narayanan who was seconded to the council to head up this work, both presented the plans to meetings of Spokes members.
The plans were adopted at last week’s full council meeting when Martin McDonnell and Chris Paton represented Spokes and set out the views of the organisation.
While heaping praise on the council for their bold plans to reduce traffic and substantially improve cycle routes in the city centre, Spokes urged the council not to lose any momentum.
They want to see the plans to reduce traffic lanes on Lothian Road and the remodelling of the road there to incorporate cycle lanes progressed immediately. McDonnell also pointed out that one fatality occurred at the West End junction which must now be a ‘very high priority’.
Apart from reasons of cycling safety Spokes also urged swift action on traffic reduction in the city centre to assist in improving air quality there. McDonnell said : “Air pollution negatively impacts Edinburgh’s residents and visitors today, and time is running critically short to stop irreversible climate change – there is no time for delay on either front.”
Chris Paton explained that he already had one toddler and his wife and he are expecting another baby soon. He began cycling at the age of 10, but it was the arrival of his family which made him think more about cycling and he joined Spokes in 2016. Now he says all his hopes and dreams for the city are encompassed in the ambitious City Centre Transformation plans.
He said : “So while there’s details to consider, funding to apply for, plenty still to work out. I urge you to support the full programme of work. There will be challenges of course, but this is a generation defining project that benefits not just cyclists but everybody who lives, works, and visits the city centre. This is one you will all be able to look back proudly on and Edinburgh’s citizens will be thankful to you.”
Living Streets were not represented at the meeting but produced a written statement supporting the project which is below :
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