A CAMPAIGN group dedicated to protecting and improving Edinburgh’s bus network has criticised the council’s plans for an active travel route in Leith.
The Edinburgh Bus Users Group (EBUG) spoke on That’s TV Scotland yesterday, raising concerns that the Leith Connections project will hamper public transport infrastructure in the city.
The project, beginning in 2023 and with construction ongoing, aims to make streets more comfortable for those walking, cycling, or wheeling.
The Hawthornvale to Seafield route in particular poses problems due to the removal or relocation of bus stops.
Last week EBUG released a bulletin outlining their response to the active travel project, saying that “it looks like an exemplar of issues raised by many such projects which, while branded as ‘Active Travel’, are actually cycling-led with little or no attention to walking”.
The route is set to span Lindsay Road, Commercial Street, Bernard Street and Salamander Street in an attempt to “enable more people to travel in sustainable ways”.
The council states that, according to recent research: “66% of residents make trips by walking at least five days a week and?22% of residents cycle at least once a week.
“The research also shows what residents feel needs to be done to improve conditions to enable even more people?to travel by foot, wheel or bike, particularly for shorter journeys.”
Speaking to That’s TV Scotland yesterday, EBUG member Chris Day criticised the negative impact that the project poses to bus travel.
He said: “The scheme is designed in a way that rips out a number of existing facilities for bus users in particular; bus stops and bus lanes, which are crucial if the councillor wants to encourage people to travel by broader sustainable means rather than by car.
“It seems to us to have been designed with a singular focus and other important groups of sustainable travel are missing out.
“There are as many as 23 buses that run through the area on a number of different routes and what the council is proposing to do is to remove many facilities which will disadvantage bus users.
“I can’t see how the council is going to reach their objectives of reducing the number of vehicle kilometers in the city if it’s going to throw bus use under the bus, to coin a dreadful figure of speech.”
The transport and environment convener, Councillor Stephen Jenkinson said today: “We are still processing the feedback from the latest engagement phase on the Hawthornvale to Seafield section of the Leith Connections programme.
“These outcomes will be shared in due course.
“I’m conscious that concerns around buses, pavement width and journey times have been raised and we’ll take these into consideration.
“There will be further opportunities for residents and stakeholder groups to make their voices heard as we move forward with the formal traffic regulation orders in the coming months.
“We’ll also continue to work in conjunction with key stakeholders as the project develops.
“I’m proud that we’re pressing ahead with Leith Connections to make it easier and safer for walking, wheeling and cycling in the north of our city – whilst improving our streets and community spaces for the benefit of all.”
