Leith Links Community Council asks for public meeting following councillors’ plans for more changes to the area 

THE Leith Links Community Council (LLCC) has flagged a motion set to be proposed next week, that would signal further changes in the area. 

This comes just one week after councillors approved the permanent retention of Leith Connections – the low traffic neighbourhood (LTN) scheme. 

The community council is looking to locals for feedback on proposed changes, asking “should such steps just be imposed from ‘above’?”. 

The motion includes options addressing the increase in traffic on Duncan Place, a new pedestrian crossing near the nursing home at Claremont Park, and a report on how the council might better engage with disabled people. 

The LLCC posted an update to their website yesterday, titled: “More changes planned for our area…?” 

They point out that Scottish Green Councillor Chas Booth for Leith is set to propose a motion at the council’s transport and environment committee next week. 

They are asking residents what they think of the proposed items, saying: “Is it time for a public meeting, and a focused discussion with local residents, to explore the ideas Councillor Booth is pushing forward?” 

Booth plans to assess the LTN, and requests that the committee set about further changes that may have been missed the first time round. 

He mentions that though the LTN scheme was “generally successful at reducing motor traffic, there was a traffic increase on Duncan Place and northbound on Salamander Place”. 

Therefore, a full modal filter in the area is suggested, which would restrict the passage of certain types of vehicles on the street. 

The committee is also asked to consider further action in regard to conditions for walkers and wheelers, and the potential for a new pedestrian crossing at Claremont Park Nursing Home. 

Finally, any lessons learnt from the LTN should be set out, particularly “how the council can better engage with disabled people who might be impacted by a scheme at the earliest possible stage”. 

The LLCC also point out that in the same meeting there will be proposals for parking bans, through the introduction of yellow lines on both sides of multiple streets. 

They state: “Worryingly, according to a recent Evening News article, Claremont Park is included on the list – can this really be the case, given that it is a wide road with plenty room for buses to pass each other, and no record of pavement parking?” 

Some initially raised concerns over the LTN, as journey times would be made longer for those in motor vehicles such as cars or buses. 

Many, however, praised the scheme for its improvements to safety and air quality as the final wave of council surveys found that three quarters of residents supported the project. 

A spokesperson from the Leith Links Community Council said today: “None of the changes Cllr Booth is pushing forward have been discussed with the local community, and neither have the plans to put double yellow lines along a number of streets in our area.

“All of these, if implemented, would have a massive effect on local residents and businesses. We think there should be open and public sharing of information, and focussed discussion with locals before any actions are taken.

“For example many locals think parking should be allowed, or controlled (paid) on Claremont Park, not banned. It is a wide road allowing buses to pass in both directions. If banned, all the other narrower local residential streets will be rammed with camper vans commuter parkers etc.

“Arguably, the street that needs double yellow lines at least on one side is Restalrig Road (a well known bottle neck, delaying buses), but it does not seem to be on the list- why not?  

“And maybe controlled parking is needed further along, at East Hermitage and Vanburgh Place. We know our area, why are we not consulted?”

The council has confirmed that consultations on motions can be organised after they have been approved.