AN EDINBURGH local has slammed the state Leith Walk has been left in following the extension of the city’s tram network.
Edward Tissiman took to social media yesterday with a series of images showing the unfinished and poor-quality state of some of the work done on the busy street.
He claims there are still 140 safety defects yet to be addressed, but wanted to highlight how little attention had been paid to small but significant details.
He has previously gained traction on social media for pointing out faults and dangers on the street shortly after the tram extension opened in June 2023.
Edward initially points out the unsightly wooden boxes around the base of the pylons carrying the overhead tram cables, which are cracked and not fully painted.
He flags up the fact there are still temporary bus stops in place, over 19 months after Leith Walk reopened to vehicle traffic, which leave very little room to stand and wait for a bus.
He brings attention to the cycle lanes, pointing out confusing markings from a previous temporary lane that still haven’t been removed.
He adds that the new cycle lanes have been “destroyed” by a lack of bollards on junctions leading to drivers cutting corners.
Signage outlining the diversion route for cyclists while the street was still under construction has confusingly not been removed.
A patch of worn-out grass at the junction with London Road looks unloved, with a single tree being planted in the space.
He claims his “personal favourite” is the yellow box junction at Annandale Street, which should have crossed zigzag lines, but instead features a half-effort of two diagonal lines.
He slams the ineffective ban on pavement parking, as drivers still continue doing it, leaving the pavements along the length of the street cracked, uneven and hazardous.
Edward shared his post to social media yesterday with the caption: “In addition to the 140 safety defects still outstanding on Leith Walk, it’s the little things like the finishing on the pylons that demonstrates how little care has been taken.
“A thread begins.”
He goes on to detail each image with his observations.
He says: “593 days since the Walk opened to vehicle traffic, we still don’t have a full set of bus stops.
“This white line is from a temporary cycle lane that was removed 5 years ago.
“A lack of bell bollards on the junctions means that almost all vehicle traffic cuts the corners, destroying the pavements and cycle lanes.
“This plaque for the Pilrig muddle is difficult to read unless you’re 6ft (and impossible from a wheelchair).
“And the famous cycle lanes are still, technically, closed. (Yet they are probably the most popular in Scotland).
“Scotland in Bloom wooden spoon 2024 (Nod to the guerilla gardener who planted the solitary sapling).
“But my personal favourite is the box junction at Annandale Street, where they simply ran out of yellow paint.
“Despite the ban, constant pavement parking at Elm Row (note the red car at far right too).
“And due to this pavement parking, the paving stones the length of the Walk look like this.”
Edwards post has since received over 320 likes and a host of comments with locals sharing their thoughts.
One wrote: “But Edward, don’t you know how difficult it is to get someone along there with a hammer and cold chisel?”
Another said of the lonely tree: “I have optimistic visions of this being a beloved local tree in generations to come.”
A third commented on the state of the pavements: “The slabs look like this at the continuous pavement junctions too, where traffic is expected to drive over them.
“They were never fit for purpose.”
