Deluded vision

They’re at it again. Edinburgh Council has a grand plan for getting us all to abandon our cars and “walk, wheel and cycle” around the city. They aim to create on George IV Bridge the kind of massive snarl-up that has been perpetrated in Forrest Road. I’m not sure how many cyclists used the dedicated cycle lanes when they were in force on George IV Bridge, but cyclists will now have a segregated track all to themselves.

The artist’s impression I have seen of the plan shows pavement, two-way cycle track and then a track with the occasional bench to support the weary traveller who is trying to cross the road. Only after that is there actual road, and then another pavement. The area of road is totally unrealistic: it has a smooth and uniform surface without the many patches and potholes to which the long-suffering public is now accustomed. It also shows people waiting at a bus stop that the council took out of use many months ago.

I wouldn’t dream of taking my car into town now, but I do travel into town by bus. It is the bus service that will pay the price for this harebrained scheme – and that means drivers as well as passengers. Edinburgh is a city of narrow streets and many buses. The council’s plans to anathematise cars, privilege cyclists and reduce road capacity is also a direct attack on those who use public transport. Bus journey times are lengthening because the infrastructure works against public transport.

This may or may not be the council’s objective; after all, they favour “walking, wheeling and cycling”, with no mention of public transport. The message is: you had better be young and fit if you want to get around central Edinburgh.

JILL STEPHENSON

Edinburgh