SCOTS locals have slammed the City of Edinburgh Council over the celebration of a newly opened cycle lane.
The council announced the new City Centre West East Link Lane as part of a £118m infrastructure project in 2022, which will introduce new cycle lanes in an attempt to make the city’s roads safer and more navigable.
The lane, which was originally due to be completed in August 2023, is scheduled to have a group bike ride with pupils from local primary schools to celebrate its launch.
However, the move has been met with anger from countless residents who have pleaded that the council’s budget instead be spent on more pressing issues such as foodbanks.
The council shared the bike ride launch on social media yesterday, writing: “Join our group bike ride tomorrow to celebrate the launch of City Centre West East Link.
“The ride will begin at Old Colt Bridge, around 12:30pm with pupils from local primary schools and finish at Haymarket Terrace to join the celebrations – everyone is welcome.”
The post received hundreds of likes and comments from local’s sharing their mixed reactions on the cycle lane’s importance in the city.
Fiona Christine wrote: “When are we going to spend money on the basics? I don’t think this should be celebrated.
“It’s like watching one of the richest countries in the world slowly becoming a third world country. We do not have leaders that budget and prioritise.
“We should all be able to share the road respectfully and in some ways, we don’t know we are born. I’m sure people who paid the price for our freedom are turning in their grave.
“We already have cycle paths and pavements and I think we are very honoured as a country to have this already.
“A lot don’t but I think being able to feed them is probably a higher priority than this cycle path when we already have them.”
Andy Miller commented: “I bet all the struggling families that are using foodbanks will be out cheering you on. Get your priorities right. There is nothing to celebrate.”
Andy Jeffrey said: “Trying to make an unwanted/unneeded project look busy.”
Steven Delicato added: “Got to bring school pupils along to make this look like it’s going to be used.”
Edinburgh City Council wrote of the new link: “The Charlotte Square to St Andrew Square section is part of the George Street and First New Town project, and links to the planned Meadows to George Street active travel route at Hanover Street.
“For most of the route, cyclists are separated from traffic. It connects with the Roseburn Path in Roseburn Park in the west and the cycle routes on Leith Walk in the east.
“It will provide a family-friendly link across the city centre and is part of the National Cycle Network Route One.
“George Street proposed design. It will be delivered in advance of the public realm improvements at Charlotte Square and will connect with the planned cycle thoroughfare along George Street.
“From Hanover Street you will be able to connect with the Meadows to George Street cycle route.”
The route is expected to include improvements such as: protected cycle tracks on the main road, cyclist and pedestrian priority at junctions, additional cycle parking, further zone one permit parking spaces and further improved pedestrian crossings.
The council have also shared that it expects the link to help improve improved footway surfaces in addition to the resurfacing of “key setted streets.”
Edinburgh City Council has been approached for comment.
