Changes to be introduced on Elm Row and neighbouring streets

Councillors will discuss approving £550,000 of changes proposed for Elm Row and the surrounding area to improve pedestrian and active travel access, while supporting businesses in the area.

A Temporary Traffic Regulation Order connected to the tram project is already in place and will be used to introduce some permanent changes on Elm Row and Brunswick Street. Some additional parking and loading will be introduced to Leith Walk and the way a couple of junctions operate will be changed.

Since the Tram to Newhaven opened in June last year the tram team has monitored issues raised along the route – particularly illegal parking and loading which impacts on trams operating there. It was planned to make Brunswick Street a continuous footway with all vehicles allowed to access and exit from the street, but it has become a rat run and so has been stopped up as a temporary solution to avoid any collisions.

Now that residents and local businesses have had their say, the left turn from Leith Walk to London Road (approved by the council last month) will be reintroduced, further loading bays will be provided on Leith Walk between Brunswick Street and Elm Row, Brunswick Street will be redesigned and vehicles will not be allowed to access the street from Leith Walk, although vehicles can exit and turn left.

The exit area will become a larger pedestrian plaza which the council hopes will encourage people to walk there while allowing loading for businesses. Bollards will be installed between Elm Row and Montgomery Street and changes will be made to create a two-way cycleway on Elm Row – and the bus stop will be widened.