Green councillor Chas Booth tried to have the controversial Traffic Regulation Orders sub-committee scrapped at the last full council meeting of the year, but lost the vote.
Edinburgh cycling campaign groups have expressed dismay after the failure of the bid.
Cllr Booth hoped that it would help speed up active travel and cycling projects in the city, some of which are more than a decade past their expected delivery date.
Chas Booth said: “We know that Edinburgh’s record of delivery of schemes to encourage walking, wheeling and cycling is appalling, with 70% of projects delayed.
“Greens proposed a bold move to speed up delivery of these projects, by abolishing the committee which considers them.
“This would remove weeks from the processes and significantly improve delivery.”
He added that he was disappointed in the political groups which had voted against his effort.
Traffic regulation orders change the rules around infrastructure and the way it is used.
For example, they can be used to change layouts or establish loading zones.
Cycling groups also expressed their frustration at the continued existence of the committee, which was introduced three years ago to handle traffic regulation orders separately from the main Transport and Environment Committee which had until then dealt with these matters.
“Dave duFeu of cycling advocacy group, Spokes, said: “It is a mystery why Edinburgh requires a TRO sub-committee when, as far as we are aware, no other Scottish council uses this approach to making decisions on traffic orders.
“The committee’s lengthy debate on supposed cycling dangers in Rose Street completely failed to mention the three pedestrian injury crashes in recent years, with a total of seven victims, caused by motor vehicle drivers.
“Why did councillors, other than the Greens, not mention the need for better motor vehicle restrictions? Where are the priorities?”
Ben who writes Edi.bike added: “Edinburgh bogs itself down and values process over progress.
“Meanwhile in Glasgow most TRO decisions are made by council officers – competent professionals who are delivering on the city council’s goals much more quickly than the capital.
“The City of Edinburgh Council needs less bureaucratic red tape and bolder political will if it wants the connected, efficient and liveable city they claim they aspire to deliver.”
By Joseph Sullivan Local Democracy Reporter
