Plans For Cycle Lane In Edinburgh ‘Outrageous’ Say Protesters
A protest has taken place against new cycle lanes in Edinburgh.
The plans include reducing four lanes of traffic to two, from Roseburn to Haymarket, and using half a carriageway and a bus lane for cyclists.
Objectors said it would cause congestion in a main route to the city.
The petitioner, Pete Gregson, said shopkeepers at Roseburn feared their businesses would suffer if parking is prevented.
"The council's new cycle track will remove parking that allows deliveries to shops. If goods can't be delivered, they can't be sold," he said.
"I have road safety concerns too. The track involves removing crossing islands all along the main road. Also compressing four lanes of traffic into two on Roseburn Terrace whilst removing the westbound bus lane would make it harder to cross.
"At peak times traffic is very heavy. If the traffic is jammed up even further in tailbacks we get more pollution."
The petition cited National Cycle Route 1 (NCN 1) as an alternative.
It claimed it was a quiet route along Balbirnie Place for cyclists travelling to Haymarket, and was a more suitable option, using existing off-road paths and low-traffic streets.
Transport Convener, Councillor Lesley Hinds, said: “I’m somewhat surprised at the protest against a cycle route through Roseburn when we are very much still in the consultation period for proposals and are open to any comments the public would like to make. Once the consultation is complete we will carefully consider all feedback before making any changes to the road layout.
“These proposals aim to provide a link straight across the city centre, providing a safe and accessible route suitable for cyclists of all abilities. One of our key priorities is to encourage people who are less confident when cycling by providing a segregated, off-road cycle lanes direct from the east to the west of the city.
“In designing the cycle way we have maintained parking and loading bays near businesses, as well as carrying out traffic modelling to ensure pedestrian safety and minimal congestion. As part of proposals we will also be making improvements to pedestrian access to benefit people travelling on foot too.”