City needs to get street wise

The Edinburgh Southern MSP, Daniel Johnson, says it is important to ensure we can all move around safely, respecting social distancing.

"On this basis the Places for People scheme being undertaken by the Council, to create additional space for pedestrians by suspending parking, has an important objective. But we must also look at whether it is meeting this objective and what the wider consequences are.

"The alteration of road layout, removal of car park spaces, the widening of pavements and installation of cones have left local businesses and residents struggling to understand the measures. My personal observation is that the road space that is freed up is not being used by pedestrians. I have also heard concerns such as the lack of space for cyclists and most noticeably the floating bus stops. I think we must take the time to reflect and adjust these measures.

"I have long supported initiatives to change the balance from cars to pedestrians and cyclists, and I could support plans for widening pavements or creating segregated cycle lanes. But it is not clear that these temporary measures help this longer-term aim, indeed the growing concerns may make gaining support for future permanent upgrades harder to achieve. What is becoming clear is the real difficulties these measures present for the diverse independent cafes and shops we have in Morningside and Bruntsfield. Recovering from lockdown is challenging and the clear view from these businesses is that these measures are making that more difficult.

"We must take steps to ensure we control the coronavirus and we must take steps to help our local economies recover. This will require us to learn and improve as we move forward in making transport in the capital fit for the 21st century."