A war of words has broken out between two councillors over delays to planned road works.
Almond councillor Kevin Lang, Liberal Democrats, has accused the council administration of ‘stonewalling’ over a ‘secret list’ of delayed road safety projects across the city.
The Transport and Environment Convener, Lesley Macinnes, has responded by saying “any attempt to portray this as a ‘secret list’ or bad news is frankly a bit silly.”
Cllr Lang, who is the Lib Dem group’s transport spokesperson, tabled a formal question to Cllr Macinnes, seeking details of all road safety projects which have been delayed because of officers being diverted to the council’s controversial Spaces for People programme.
The Almond councillor says he has identified five different road safety projects in his ward which have been delayed because officers have been working on the Covid-19 related Spaces for People projects.
These include speed calming measures in Queensferry, a new pedestrian crossing in Kirkliston and safety improvements at a roundabout in Davidson’s Mains, where 70-year-old Alena Faltyskova was tragically killed in 2017.
However, Cllr Macinnes did not provide a complete citywide list, instead saying information would be published in the New Year.
Cllr Macinnes’ written response reads: “The council has prioritised resources towards the delivery of the Spaces for People programme, to ensure that people can walk, wheel and cycle safely during the global Covid-19 pandemic.
“This includes improvements to road safety to the city’s 140 or so schools.
“A report is being prepared for the Transport and Environment Committee on 28 January 2021 on the prioritisation and delivery of the road safety programme.
“This report will include further information on planned projects.”
Commenting, Cllr Lang said: “This kind of stonewalling from the SNP administration is unacceptable. Whatever is hiding in the transport convener’s secret list, it is clearly bad news.
“At the beginning of the Spaces for People programme, we were promised there would be no impact on existing road safety projects. It is now clear those promises were worthless.
“There are at least five road safety projects in my own ward which have been delayed because officials have been diverted to the spaces for people programme.
“Many of these were already badly delayed, even before Covid hit. Who knows how many more projects are affected across the city?
“Rather than keeping this secret list under wraps until the new year, the administration should be open and honest with people.
“We need to know what projects are affected and when they will be delivered”.
In response, Cllr Macinnes said: “I am very upset by Cllr Lang’s blatant attempt to present normal council processes and our approach to accountability as somehow a ‘secret’ or as somehow ‘stonewalling’ him.
“He received a full, comprehensive answer to the councillor’s written question which indicated clearly that there was a requirement for a substantial review.
“This is coming to the transport committee in January, through normal processes, and that will allow full scrutiny.
“Any attempt to portray this as a ‘secret list’ or bad news is frankly a bit silly.”
A report out today written by the Accounts Commission criticises bickering among councillors as wasting council officers’ time. Read more here.
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The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) is a public service news agency. It is funded by the BBC, provided by the local news sector (in Edinburgh that is Reach plc (the publisher behind Edinburgh Live and The Daily Record) and used by many qualifying partners. Local Democracy Reporters cover news about top-tier local authorities and other public service organisations.
