Spaces for People pathways will stay
Councillors in Linlithgow have agreed to keep improved footpaths and cycle lanes brought in under the Spaces for People (SfP) measures- a decision local Lib Dem councillor Sally Pattle branded “ridiculously easy.”
Only two SfP schemes- a cycle lane on the west side of St Ninian’s Road and parking restrictions at West Loaning-were recommended for removal by both Labour veteran councillor Tom Conn and councillor Pattle at a meeting of the town’s local area committee.
A report to the committee said:“The West Loaning parking at 183-245 High Street, Linlithgow should return to the pre-covid conditions as there is adequate space to permit parking and the movement of pedestrians.”
What will likely stay is the cycle lane on the east side of St Ninian’s Road, the cycle lane on the B9080 Edinburgh Road.
A report by roads and transport manager Gordon Brown said:“The B9080 Edinburgh Road in Linlithgow advisory cycle lane was installed to assist cyclists cycling uphill out of Linlithgow on the carriageway that was narrowed by existing on-street parking. This parking was relocated to the opposite side of the carriageway allowing additional space for eastbound vehicles to pass slow moving uphill cyclists. Should this be retained then the appropriate traffic regulation orders would have to be promoted.”
Councillor Conn told the meeting that the nature of the pandemic meant that many SfP measures such as the extended footpath in the High Street were done quickly. They should be reviewed and drainage improved to make them permanent.
He added that measures to maintain a proper footpath and ban parking in East Loanings “make sense” and the retention of the cycle lane in Edinburgh Road “actually makes it safer for cyclists to go up that brae.”
Chairing the meeting, Councillor Pattle said: “I think I agree. On St Ninian’s Road we have to take away the cycle lane on the west side because it’s extremely dangerous but I have no issues with the other proposals. It’s ridiculously easy and everybody’s happy.”
Councillor Conn replied: “If you are telling us chair that it’s ridiculously easy and everybody’s happy, then I’m happy to concur with that.”
Mr Brown is touring the meetings of local area committees outlining proposals regarding the future of measures introduced at the height of the pandemic through the SfP nationally funded programme, which Holyrood introduced to make public space more pedestrian friendly.
The programme was met with howls of protest from drivers because its signature act was the introduction of 20mph zones in 30mph areas. Many of these have now been removed.
Others including bus stops and road junction build-outs caused problems in some towns.
As was revealed recently however, in some villages they have been welcomed for improving safety of pedestrians in high foot traffic areas but also improving sight lines for drivers.