The “Quiet Route” between Greenbank and Cluny Gardens is a legacy Spaces for People project which is more controversial than it should be due to problematic consultations in the past, and the flawed way in which the opposition parties reopened Braid Road. At that point I requested that the reopening ‘should include consideration of a more clearly defined cycle route between Greenbank Crossroads and the Meadows, and how this interfaces with Comiston Road’, but this was blocked by the Edinburgh Greens. You can see the current situation here and I cycle the whole route here.

The result is that many residents, pedestrians and cyclists say they feel less safe. Officers made no recommendation in their report following a recent consultation which sought to address these concerns, but did present 3 options (see here).  Out of that the 5 parties managed to adopt 4 positions(!). In the end it went to a three-way vote with the majority backing replacing the (not so) Quiet Route with segregation along a route we know ~50% of cyclists use (Hermitage Drive and Braid Avenue) . The final round of voting was 7 v 2 v 2 (a three way split), I provide an overview here.  

Given the difficult history of the project, I have listened to local residents, and supported a trial replacing the modal filters with a fully segregated cycle route through the area.   

I have said in the Evening News that I would have preferred Option 2. I feel, however, that Option 3 is the best way of resetting our relationship with the local community. All the option components  will remain on the table if residents want them via the ETRO process, and I am expecting a drift towards a hybrid position as the trial proceeds – I said this in the committee. I think it is better to work with the local community, not against it. We can all debate the merits of the options, but I hope everyone (inc those taking part in the Critical Mass ride this weekend (yes, I hope to attend)) understand the value of working with the local community.

If you are travelling through the area on bike (e.g. Oxgangs or Fairmilehead to City Centre), my view is that the segregated route will be safer than what we have right now as you won’t be mixing with rat-running cars at peak times. There will, however, also be robust traffic calming and speed reduction measures in place for those walking, wheeling or cycling within the Braid Estate.

Noting that this is a trial, I think it is right that we look at robust but inexpensive ways to test the approach. Once the trial ends, the final design of planters and/or segregation in place will reflect the conservation area status.

It is important to put this in context, the route passes through an area of just 0.2 km square  – it is tiny, but we are paying the price for poor political management in the past. We will soon consult on the Dalry 20 Minute Neighbourhood where excellent community engagement means we could be transforming an area many times bigger – this is a result of the type of engagement I would like to see normalised in the future.