Eight months after lockdown started, the Councils “urgent” “emergency response” has reached Buckstone Primary School! Below are plans I received this evening for a small Spaces for People scheme around Buckstone Primary School. Although the stated focus of this scheme is the response to Covid-19, road safety issues around the school are well known. Nonetheless, the school community and people living around the school may have suggestions to improve the proposals.
The Council have included the following in the consultation: Police, Fire Service, NHS, SPOKES and Fairmilehead Community Council. I have passed details on the the Parent Council and the Headteacher to ensure they know what’s planned.
Covid-19 Cycling and Walking Emergency Response Measures at Buckstone Primary School
Please be advised that as part of overall emergency measures we are proposing to re-designate key parts of the road network 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:
- Close road to vehicular traffic on Buckstone Loan East at Buckstone Close maintaining access for pedestrians and cyclists
- Prohibit vehicles on Buckstone Circus [SA – I think this is Buckstone Circle, I am waiting on confirmation.], maintaining access for pedestrians, cyclists, residents, school deliveries and waste collections.
Given the urgency to make the required changes any comments relating to these proposals should be received by 5pm on Thursday 10th September 2020 to spacesforpeople@edinburgh.gov.uk. [SA – I assume this date is an error, I am waiting on confirmation.]
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.
Dr Scott Arthur 
Quite frankly it is disgusting that we live a few doors from the school and this is the first we are hearing about this. The council should be duty bound to notify directly those immediately affected. How does the proposal to close Buckstone Loan East at Buckstone Close affect the residents in the enclosed area? Does the council expect us to park our vehicles away from our homes. If this is the case I would have expected the council to have the ‘balls’ to speak to those immediately affected by the decision.
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I agree that the Council should have consulted residents. Nonetheless, residents will still have vehicle access.
Please use the e-mail address in the blog to provide feedback to the Council. I will summarise all the comments I receive.
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I would formally like to object to the road closures proposed for Buckstone Circle and Buckstone Loan East under the guise of Covid-19. There is no shortage of social distancing opportunities in the area given that the school is surrounded by parkland, woodland, green space and accessible lanes free of traffic. This appears to be yet another opportunity for City of Edinburgh Council abusing it’s powers under emergency restrictions.
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Hi Anne, please pass your feedback to the Council via the e-mail address on the blog. I shall summarise all the comments I receive and pass it to the team.
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