MERCHISTON Community Council is calling on residents to give their feedback on the Polwarth Junction, ahead of a redesign to improve safety and accessibility.
This is part of the Polwarth Pavement Project, which worked to resurface pavements at the junction last year.
Locals are adamant that more needs to be done at the roundabout which has been described as an “awful, risky junction”.
The community council is demanding better crossings, wider pavements, and improved speed management among other developments.
Merchiston Community Council posted to social media earlier this month, saying: “Change is coming to the Polwarth junction.
“We are on the street this morning chatting with residents about plans to make this a safer and more pleasant place to be.
“Learn more and share your views at https://merchistoncc.org.uk/projects/the-polwarth-pavement-project/”
After pavements were resurfaced in June last year, community councillors stated: “The city council decided to press ahead with this work, at substantial expense, despite pleas from Merchiston Community Council to delay the work at the roundabout while further consideration was given to our proposals for more radical and lasting improvements.
“The Council refused our request.”
After the City of Edinburgh Council offered the community a grant to pursue a community engagement exercise in 2022, they found “substantial and persuasive evidence of the need to improve pedestrian safety and amenity in this area”.
In The Polwarth Roundabout Report, published in July 2023, the community council proposed radical changes to the layout of the junction.
Now, the council has agreed to redesign the roundabout and will be conducting a consultation with local businesses and residents.
A “Local Traffic Improvement Programme” has been set up, and £100,000 has been allocated for design work which is expected to be implemented in 2026.
Merchiston Community Council will be making an independent assessment of the city council’s proposals, which will be shared with local residents before being fed back.
In a leaflet shared with Polwarth residents, they state that as well as improved safety, they want greenspace and “a pleasant place to shop and linger”.
