More scrutiny on the Leith Walk pavements and cycle lane redesigns

Today, the Lib Dems won support for more scrutiny of the public realm (pavements and cycle lanes) around the tram works.

Councillor Caldwell and the Lib Dems presented the below motion to the Transport and Environment committee, which passed unamended.

Cllr Jack Caldwell says "Walking, wheeling, cycling and mobility freedoms must be at the heart of every public redesign. I'm hopeful for clarity on the future of Leith Walk's design (and other project pipelines) and what still needs to be done. There are a few things in the works, specifically regarding Elm Row, and I'll continue to try and keep residents up to date".

Motion by Councillor Caldwell - Public Realm (scrutiny) along the Trams Phase 2

“Committee

Notes;

1.    The Trams to Newhaven Project has seen a significant redesign of the streetscape of Blenheim Place, Elm Row, Leith Walk, Constitution Street, Ocean Drive, and Lindsay Road.

2.    There has been a substantial amount of media coverage of the public realm works and anecdotal reports of a significant amount of concern raised by residents and small businesses along the route on the design.

3.    The public realm goes through Scotland’s most densely populated urban neighbourhood and affects multiple A-Roads, therefore compliance with Council policies is of critical importance.

4.    The design was largely built to 2015 Edinburgh Street Design Guidance standards (ESDG), which have since been updated (separately after the Project was approved and commenced).

5.    A broad report on the Project’s final completion (or ‘closure’) is due to Transport and Environment committee in Spring 2024.

Therefore requests the scheduled Trams to Newhaven ‘closure’ report in Point 5. also outlines;

6.    A summary of areas and designs that were in the final published landscaping plans but have not been executed.

7.    An anonymised breakdown of incidents and concerns raised from members of the public regarding the new designs post or during installation and mitigations made/proposed. This should include evidence gathered from;
A) Trams to Newhaven Contact Centre records.
B) Ward councillors.
C) Minutes from Community Councils Together on Trams.
D) Relevant Place officers (Trams to Newhaven and ‘mainstream’ departments).

Locations of note where the new streetscape does not conform to 2022 ESDG and proposals of locations which may be appropriate to be reviewed either by Trams to Newhaven or by relevant Place departments.”