RESIDENTS in Edinburgh can have their say on initial proposals for low traffic neighbourhoods and community areas.
Edinburgh City Council has launched the second phase of community engagement which will begin on June 4 with plans to introduce low traffic neighbourhoods in two areas in Edinburgh.
Between February 8 and March 5, the council asked residents in Corstorphine, Leith and East Craigs their views on travel choices and the use of communal spaces for movement and relaxation.
The aim of seeking views from residents is to help the council develop proposals to improve each area, the survey received approximately 2200 responses across all three communities.
Transport and environment convener Councillor Lesley Macinness said: “Over the last year we’ve seen the impact that lower traffic volumes and space to walk and cycle can have on our environment.
“As we work to make a sustainable recovery from the pandemic, we’re looking at ways of working together with our communities on designs and proposals that would make neighbourhoods more liveable, easier to move around by active travel and welcoming to spend time in.”
The feedback from Leith and Corstorphine after the first phase of engagement highlighted a clear desire to progress further with more detailed dialogue.
The council are now looking for feedback in the two communities on initial recommendations to create safer, more comfortable environments for walking, cycling and wheeling as well as spending time in communal areas.
These recommendations have been supported by opinions and views shared during the first phase of engagement along with traffic data which showed where issues of intrusive traffic were.
For Corstorphine, two choices have been proposed to improve safety on the High Street as well as a range of other options to restrict heavy traffic.
For the Leith project, there are two elements which include a segregated cycle route between the Foot of the Walk and Ocean Terminal which will be permanent.
There will also be an experimental low traffic neighbourhood in the area between Salamander Street, Commercial Street, North and Great Junction Street, Duke Street and the roads around Leith Links.
The experimental Low Traffic Neighbourhood will include restrictions to through traffic and ‘parklets’ to encourage more people to walk and cycle as well as spend time in the community.
For the East Craigs area, the council have decided to implement an additional report on plans for the area to the next Transport and Environment Committee in response to the majority of those surveyed during initial engagement saying that traffic levels were not heavy on most residential streets.
Some residents did say that there are issues on selected streets, therefore a further discussion on targeting traffic flow in the community will take place soon.