The Council contacted me on Friday (25/09/20) to say they planned to install Temporary Cycle Segregation on Lanark and Longstone/Inglis Green Road. This is at the very edge of my Ward, and I only cover a small part of the scheme – The Lanark Road between Gillespie Crossroads and Hailes Avenue.

The plan is to: reduce the speed limit to 30mph; install segregated cycleways; make improvements to junctions along the road; introduce parking restrictions; install “Floating Bus Stops”; expand the bus lanes; and, remove pedestrian guardrails. 

The consultation is underway, and people have until 9th of October to respond (details below). I would urge residents who live in my Ward to copy me in to their response so that I can get an understanding of what the challenges and opportunities are. My e-mail address is Scott.Arthur@Edinburgh.Gov.UK

As it stands, I plan on making the following points:

1. Specifically, what is the concern that triggered the use of Covid-19 guidance to propose these “Emergency Response Measures”.
2. Detailed drawings of individual Floating Bus Stop designs must be shared for comment.
3. A Road Safety Audit must be undertaken before work starts.
4. A meeting with local residents must be held to address residual concerns. before any work gets underway.

The full briefing is below – this includes the plans and details on how to respond to the consultation.

Covid-19 Cycling and Walking Emergency Response Measures – Lanark and Longstone/Inglis Green Road

Please be advised that as part of overall emergency measures we are proposing to implement segregated cycleways on Lanark Road and Longstone/ Inglis Green Road to help pedestrians and cyclists travel safely while meeting physical distancing requirements. 

I have attached the proposed designs for the scheme.  In summary it shows:

1. Introduction of uni-directional segregated cycleways along Lanark Road and Longstone Road
2. Improvements to junctions along the road to make them safer for cyclists
3. Introduction of waiting and loading restrictions along parts of Lanark and Longstone Road
4. Introduction of Floating Bus Stops along Lanark Road
5. Introduction of new sections of Bus Lane on the approach to key junctions
6. Removal of pedestrian guardrail

Any comments relating to these proposals should be received by 1700 hrs on 9 October to spacesforpeople@edinburgh.gov.uk.

All feedback will be reviewed and where possible the scheme will be further refined. Feedback will be summarised in an assessment feedback form which will be presented to the Council Incident Management Team for approval. Please note that we will be unable to respond to individual emails.

If the proposal is approved for implementation, publicity will then be undertaken so that local people are aware of the changes. A dedicated inbox will help us to manage any feedback around proposals – spacesforpeople@edinburgh.gov.uk

The introduction of, or changes to, any restrictions will be implemented under emergency delegated decision-making powers using a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order.