Locals divided over the retainment of Leith Connections, as councillors are set to approve the LTN tomorrow 

COUNCILLORS will meet tomorrow, to decide whether to retain Leith’s low traffic neighbourhood (LTN) scheme. 

Meeting notes confirm that, according to responses to the Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO), there is a slight majority of those supporting the scheme. 

The traffic regulation orders sub-committee is considering setting aside any objections received so that the experimental LTN can be made permanent. 

Whilst some have raised concerns over longer journey times for those in motor vehicles, many organisations and locals are in support of the changes, which have improved safety and air quality in the Leith area. 

Leith Connections has aimed to improve walking, wheeling and cycling conditions in the area, providing a better street environment for residents and a safe area for children. 

They have improved pavements, included a southbound bus lane at The Shore, implemented traffic filters and created protected cycle routes. 

Campaigns for safer cycling, Critical Mass, are organising a protest in favour of Leith Connections, which will take place tomorrow morning, with cyclists urged to bring signs and banners showing support. 

Community group that aims to make Leith safer and healthier, Liveable Leith, has also sought to debunk claims surrounding the LTN, such as the fact that it is widely unsupported and would make the area unsafe for women and disabled people. 

They cite the council’s third wave of surveys completed last year, which found that three quarters of residents stated they supported the project. 

Particularly popular improvements include pavement build-outs which were described as good by 87%, and new communal spaces which were supported by 82% of respondents. 

When assessing objections raised during the ETRO statutory advertising period, most raised concern over increased traffic/pollution/speed on streets. 

The council’s response states there is “no overall evidence of a widespread increase in traffic following the implementation of the trial and traffic levels are below pre-pandemic levels”.  

They say there has been a “significant decrease in through motor traffic within the project area with evidence of decrease in overall average traffic flow on boundary roads.  

“Some evidence of increased peak hour flow at junctions recorded between the March 2023 baseline and 12-month monitoring.” 

Another common objection surrounded longer routes for those in vehicles, which the council accepts but acknowledges that all homes and businesses are still accessible despite longer journey times in places. 

In line with the City Mobility Plan, they aim to prioritise high-quality public transport infrastructure and travel on foot, wheel and cycle over motorised vehicles. 

Earlier this year, The Edinburgh Bus Users group criticised the project as they felt that bus users were not taken into consideration and that their journey times were set to increase. 

Although 131 objections were received against the order, 156 comments were in support of its measures, meaning that the council are likely to retain the scheme.