Council backs Lib Dem calls for wider Leith Walk pavements

Cross-party councillors have backed the Lib Dems' calls for Leith Walk's narrowest pavements to be re-assessed.

Local councillor Jack Caldwell said "There's merit revisiting the most narrow pavements for accessibility as per our proposal. It's not fair on residents to have reduced access as part of Leith Walk's redesign from the tramworks.

Some key areas where revisions are badly needed include near Pilrig Street and Stead's Place.

The calls came after powerful representations from RNIB Scotland and Sight Scotland.

The relevant part of the Liberal Democrat amendment which passed at Edinburgh's Transport and Environment committee is as follows;

Committee adds

1.1.5 That several locations along Leith Walk and Elm Row have had reduced pavement widths, under typical ESDG minimum requirements and desired widths.

1.1.6 That various residential side streets to the east of Leith Walk, as well as Easter Road, have underwent a change in traffic patterns and notes anecdotal
increases in traffic at some locations since the project started.

1.2 Committee requests

1.2.1 Locations of note where the new streetscape does not conform to 2022 Edinburgh Street Design Guidance, as requested by committee In January 2024,
are included in the ‘Circulation’ report mentioned in 4.41, including a full re- assessment of pavements under 2.5m width (minimum “High Density Residential
Strategic Streets” under ESDG P3), engaging with the Edinburgh Access Panel where appropriate.