SpokesLothian
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spokes.org.uk
SpokesLothian
@spokes.org.uk
1.5K followers 66 following 790 posts
Spokes, the Lothian Cycle Campaign:
fights for better conditions for everyday journeys by bike, particularly Edinburgh & Lothian. Also lobby Scot Gov.
We also encourage more councils, govt depts, politicians, professionals etc to move to bsky!
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spokes.org.uk
SpokesLothian @spokes.org.uk · 7d
🙋 Spokes Action-Update members' email circular

--> www.spokes.org.uk/wp-content/u...

includes:

#DundeeStreet (urgent!)
📈 #ClimateCrisis
🚲<-->🚉 #BikeRail

@edi.bike @blackfordsaferoutes.co.uk @merchistoncc.bsky.social @sccscot.bsky.social @helenrambler.bsky.social @edfoc.bsky.social @sw20.info
Join spokes to get on the mailing list for Action Update circulars... http://www.spokes.org.uk/membership/ start of circular... Spokes Action-Update 08.01.26 spokes.org.uk St Martins Centre, 232 Dalry Road EH11 2JG 0131.313.2114 bluesky: @spokes.org.uk 0. Finding your councillors In Edinburgh, find your ward & councillors by typing your postcode on this page [or edinburgh.gov.uk : Council & Committees : Find your Councillor]. Everyone has either 3 or 4 councillors, usually from assorted parties. For any Council, and to find MSPs, you can use writetothem.com. 1. Welcome to 2026! There’s a major article on our website on what we may expect for cycling-related development in Edinburgh in 2026. Some is pretty definite, some is ‘expected’ and some will depend on bids from the Council for Scottish Government active travel funding. The article includes...  A start to implementing the council’s ‘Primary Cycle Network’ of segregated routes on main roads. As the Council’s active travel delivery plan 2021-2030 rightly says, these “are usually the most direct, flattest and socially safe routes.“  Upgrading the Travelling Safely bollarded routes on Duddingston Road, Duddingston Road West, Seafield Street, A1 (including London Road)  A start on Dundee/Fountainbridge scheme (see 2 below) if consultation and traffic orders go relatively smoothly. Please respond by 12 January!!  Fully segregated onroad route Cameron Toll - Bioquarter  Meadows to Canal - Kings Theatre section work starts on Jan 12; main route construction due December 2026  Foot of Walk to Dock Street – completion & opening  Lothian Road boulevard – initial outline plans  A8, CCWEL cycling & bus facilities extension from Roseburn to Gogar – initial outline plans  7-7-7 Bus-lane experiment, Balerno to Musselburgh 6. New Train Fleets Transport Scotland is in the process of procuring two new train fleets... • long distance Inter-City trains to replace the existing HST fleet linking Edinburgh and Glasgow to Inverness and Aberdeen • local electric/battery hybrid trains for lines to Dundee via Fife Circle and for the Borders railway. Electrification work to Fife is about to start. Clearly the design of this new rolling stock will have a profound effect on bike/rail opportunities for years to come on routes affecting many journeys to/from our local area. It has been publicly stated that bike carriage will be included but, as far as we are aware, there has been no consultation on designs, or what types of bikes and accessories will be catered for. If you have views on what should be covered, please email your MSPs asking them to take up your concerns and get back to you. Send us any useful replies. Do consider mentioning the economic benefits of bike tourism, as this has been a winning argument in the past – for example in getting the West Highland bike coaches and retro-fitting the HST fleet to Inverness and Aberdeen. Note also that Spokes is looking for a new bike/rail campaigner – see 5.1 above. 4. Climate Emergency With world politics in turmoil, the growing climate emergency is often way down in public debate. Severe weather episodes hit the headlines briefly, but don’t bring long-term climate action. Yet, in Britain, 2025 was the hottest year on record [Met Office]. Heat and drought in 2025 cost UK arable farmers over £800m in lost crops, following 2024’s lost harvests caused by extreme, persistent rain leading to flooded and waterlogged fields. Internationally, the current tensions over Greenland are heightened by the melting of Arctic Ice, itself due to global heating, leading to new shipping routes and conflict over new sources of minerals and oil. UN Secretary General António Guterres has warned that “devastating consequences” are now inevitable. Nonetheless, efforts to pressurise politicians and energise the public by NGOs, scientists, those most affected and others, continue, and must continue... 4.1 Draft Scottish Climate Change Plan – consultation ends 29.1.26 + SCCS response The Scottish Government is consulting on its 2026-2040 Climate Change Plan. You may recall that the previous Plan (2018-2032) included the ‘commitment’ to cut car-km 20% by 2030. A commitment which later became a ‘target’ and which then in 2025 was scrapped altogether, despite government-commissioned research showing how it could be achieved. Stop Climate Chaos Scotland (SCCS) has submitted this response to the new consultation, and with a key-issues summary. On transport, whilst praising the Scottish Government’s intentions on EVs, they say it is “weak on both modal shift and increasing and improving public and active travel options. And there is no action to cut emissions from aviation or shipping.” WHAT YOU CAN DO • Please make your own response to the draft – it can be brief! SCCS has produced this excellent page of helpful advice on how to respond, and with other useful links. • Spokes hopes to respond to the consultation and, if you decide to send in your own detailed …
Reposted by SpokesLothian
spokes.org.uk
#AirPollution
🙋Free webinar Tue 20 Jan

@edi.bike @edfoc.bsky.social @blackfordsaferoutes.co.uk @sw20.info @thecockburn.bsky.social @alastairdalton.bsky.social @vickyallan.bsky.social @jarlathflynn.bsky.social @thegcph.bsky.social @cellysally.bsky.social @2760.bsky.social @asthmalungscot.bsky.social
ercscot.bsky.social Environmental Rights Centre for Scotland @ercscot.bsky.social · Dec 17
Why is air pollution still a health risk in Scotland? And what can we do about it?

Join our free webinar on 20 January to hear from medical experts, environmental advocates & community campaigners on how to guarantee our right to clean air.

Book now: www.ercs.scot/news/lunchti...
January 16, 2026 at 7:32 PM
Reposted by SpokesLothian
jackrmcaldwell.bsky.social
Thanks - I’m meeting project lead on 29th Jan & also onsite with parking officers on 17th Feb as we’re all keen to get this finished off & more pedestrian/cycling friendly before end of March 2026.
January 16, 2026 at 5:29 PM
spokes.org.uk
#AirPollution
🙋Free webinar Tue 20 Jan

@edi.bike @edfoc.bsky.social @blackfordsaferoutes.co.uk @sw20.info @thecockburn.bsky.social @alastairdalton.bsky.social @vickyallan.bsky.social @jarlathflynn.bsky.social @thegcph.bsky.social @cellysally.bsky.social @2760.bsky.social @asthmalungscot.bsky.social
ercscot.bsky.social Environmental Rights Centre for Scotland @ercscot.bsky.social · Dec 17
Why is air pollution still a health risk in Scotland? And what can we do about it?

Join our free webinar on 20 January to hear from medical experts, environmental advocates & community campaigners on how to guarantee our right to clean air.

Book now: www.ercs.scot/news/lunchti...
January 16, 2026 at 7:32 PM
Reposted by SpokesLothian
jestermouse.bsky.social
A fiery Edinburgh sky on a cold & frosty morning.
Frosty Roseburn park with Murrayfield Stadium to the right. The sky is red. The Roseburn to Union Canal cycle path with a very red cloudy sunrise.
January 16, 2026 at 9:56 AM
Reposted by SpokesLothian
edinreporter.bsky.social
Reminder about improvement works on Edinburgh to Fife railway line

ScotRail passengers are urged to check their journey ahead of major improvement works by Network Rail taking place between Edinburgh and Fife. No trains will operate between Haymarket and Dalmeny from 17 January to 25…
Reminder about improvement works on Edinburgh to Fife railway line
ScotRail passengers are urged to check their journey ahead of major improvement works by Network Rail taking place between Edinburgh and Fife. No trains will operate between Haymarket and Dalmeny from 17 January to 25 January inclusive, while engineers carry out round-the-clock work to modernise the route. The rail operator is to run diverted train services where possible, alongside rail replacement buses serving local stations.
theedinburghreporter.co.uk
January 14, 2026 at 4:44 PM
Reposted by SpokesLothian
spokes.org.uk
📈 #ClimateChange #ScotGov consultn
--> consult.gov.scot/energy-and-c...

🙋 Spokes DRAFT response [comments welcome]
--> www.spokes.org.uk/wp-content/u...

😉 Your response can be shorter!

@edi.bike @sccscot.bsky.social @transform.scot @edfoc.bsky.social @sw20.info @stephenjenkinson.bsky.social
cover page, with pictures of wind turbine, walking and cycling, Scotland’s Draft Climate Change Plan: 2026–2040 Consultation page... The Scottish Government Search Home Find Consultations We Asked, You Said, We Did Draft Climate Change Plan Overview This draft Climate Change Plan includes the policies and proposals that Scotland needs to end our contribution to increasing global emissions and deliver real benefits for people across Scotland – warmer homes, better air quality, and the health benefits of active travel – to support people in our communities to live longer, healthier, more fulfilling lives. We invite you to share your views on the Plan by responding to this consultation. You’re welcome to contribute as an individual or on behalf of an organisation. Feel free to answer as many or as few questions as you wish – every response will be considered by the Scottish Government. Governments cannot tackle climate change alone. All of us – individuals, communities and businesses across our society – have a role in realising this shared ambition. Fighting climate change is also a global effort. While Scotland's response is only one small piece of the puzzle, we can demonstrate to a global audience how emissions reduction and environmental benefits can go hand in hand with economic opportunities, national resilience, job creation fairness, and the advancement of fundamental human rights. The Scottish Government is determined to deliver a fair transition to net zero, and we are guaranteed to have more success working collaboratively as part of a national endeavour. Read the consultation paper - Draft Climate Change Plan. The consultation paper contains full background information for this consultation. You may find it useful to read or refer to while responding.
January 14, 2026 at 6:13 PM
Reposted by SpokesLothian
morningsider.bsky.social
It includes this incredible nugget "The A9 Dualling Programme demonstrates a BCR [Benefit-Cost Ratio] of 0.52 that rises to 0.81, when including Driver Frustration and Wider Economic Impacts, which equates to Low Value for Money."
January 14, 2026 at 9:15 PM
Reposted by SpokesLothian
da-anderson.bsky.social
Appalling behaviour from X. We shouldn’t be grateful this horror has stopped on this media, we should weep that it was ever allowed in the first place. I’ve never felt better about closing my X account - X to stop Grok AI from undressing images of real people after backlash - BBC News
January 15, 2026 at 8:38 AM
spokes.org.uk
📈 #ClimateChange #ScotGov consultn
--> consult.gov.scot/energy-and-c...

🙋 Spokes DRAFT response [comments welcome]
--> www.spokes.org.uk/wp-content/u...

😉 Your response can be shorter!

@edi.bike @sccscot.bsky.social @transform.scot @edfoc.bsky.social @sw20.info @stephenjenkinson.bsky.social
cover page, with pictures of wind turbine, walking and cycling, Scotland’s Draft Climate Change Plan: 2026–2040 Consultation page... The Scottish Government Search Home Find Consultations We Asked, You Said, We Did Draft Climate Change Plan Overview This draft Climate Change Plan includes the policies and proposals that Scotland needs to end our contribution to increasing global emissions and deliver real benefits for people across Scotland – warmer homes, better air quality, and the health benefits of active travel – to support people in our communities to live longer, healthier, more fulfilling lives. We invite you to share your views on the Plan by responding to this consultation. You’re welcome to contribute as an individual or on behalf of an organisation. Feel free to answer as many or as few questions as you wish – every response will be considered by the Scottish Government. Governments cannot tackle climate change alone. All of us – individuals, communities and businesses across our society – have a role in realising this shared ambition. Fighting climate change is also a global effort. While Scotland's response is only one small piece of the puzzle, we can demonstrate to a global audience how emissions reduction and environmental benefits can go hand in hand with economic opportunities, national resilience, job creation fairness, and the advancement of fundamental human rights. The Scottish Government is determined to deliver a fair transition to net zero, and we are guaranteed to have more success working collaboratively as part of a national endeavour. Read the consultation paper - Draft Climate Change Plan. The consultation paper contains full background information for this consultation. You may find it useful to read or refer to while responding.
January 14, 2026 at 6:13 PM
Reposted by SpokesLothian
spokes.org.uk
#ScotBudget 26/27

🙂 Good news #ActiveTravel - 🤔 probably

🙄 Bus again combined with 🚶👩‍🦼🚲 and not disaggregated

25/26 £189m (of which £20m+ went to 🚌)
26/27 £226m (includes "increased" 🚌 cash)

🤔 Also note 24/25 & 25/26 *expenditure* was significantly less than *budget*. So will 26/27 all be used?
picture of cover of budget document Scottish Budget: 2026-27
January 13, 2026 at 3:46 PM
Reposted by SpokesLothian
spokes.org.uk
#ScotBudget 26/27

☝️ See above for 🚲👩‍🦼🚶

ALSO ...
👍 Private jet tax
👍 Continued new 🚆 trains for #Fife #Borders
👍 Long-delayed #Winchburgh station promised

👎 #TrunkRoad budget up 12%, big emphasis on #A9 #A96

@scotsman.com @alastairdalton.bsky.social report--> bsky.app/profile/alas...
Transform Scotland post with airplane picture Transform Scotland‬ ‪@transform.scot‬ · 42m Our first thoughts on today's #ScotBudget: "We’re pleased to see the introduction of a private jet tax. We now need the government to build on this move towards fairer pricing for the most polluting mode of transport by tackling frequent flyers and reducing short haul domestic flights." Bluesky post re increased trunk roads budget Morningsider ‪@morningsider.bsky.social‬ Don't worry, you can rest easy that the trunk road budget has increased by £109,900,000 (a 12.5% increase - this is minus the figure for 'trunk road depreciation' as that isn't actual cash).
January 13, 2026 at 4:20 PM
Reposted by SpokesLothian
thebikestation.bsky.social
Want to try out a Cargo Bike? Through our Wee Bike Library, adults can borrow a cargo bike for free — perfect way to see how one could fit into your everyday life, minus the financial barrier.

Find out more 👉 buff.ly/eSVFkop

#CargoBike #WeeBikeLibrary #ActiveTravel #Edinburgh
Infographic with bold text reading 'Try out aqn electric cargo bike for free!' 'After dropping my boy to school it was great on the bike because we could stop off at various places so easily and park up - a cafe, the pharmacy and the library' An image of an adult with two kids on the back of a acrgo bike is in the background
January 13, 2026 at 6:30 PM
Reposted by SpokesLothian
edi.bike
#EdTravCyc - we’re not sure what’s gone awry here either, but there’s phases to these closures and someone’s mixed the signage up it would seem.
blackfordsaferoutes.co.uk Blackford Safe Routes @blackfordsaferoutes.co.uk · 4d
Valleyfield St: closed, signed diversion for bikes via the only viable alternative, Glengyle Tce

Glengyle Tce: NCN 74 cycleway closed with a sign saying, “use Valleyfield Street”

WTAF?

#EdTravCycl
@cllrbenparker.bsky.social
@edi.bike
Valleyfield street at night, blocked off with Heras fencing and a yellow “road closed” sign Glengyle terrace. The contraflow cycleway is surrounded by red plastic barriers on both sides and converted to footway. A red sign says “cycle way closed, use Valleyfield Street”
January 13, 2026 at 6:54 PM
Reposted by SpokesLothian
blackfordsaferoutes.co.uk
Council’s proposals for the excellent & transformative active travel scheme for Dundee St & Fountainbridge - a project intended to benefit families, kids, older people, less-confident cyclists, to enable them to walk or ride.
www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/edinbur...
Safe routes campaigners call critics of Fountainbridge scheme 'NIMBYs'
Safe routes campaigners have backed controversial active travel proposals for Edinburgh's Dundee Street and Fountainbridge and labelled critics of the plans "Nimbys".
www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com
January 13, 2026 at 6:26 PM
spokes.org.uk
#ScotBudget 26/27

🙂 Good news #ActiveTravel - 🤔 probably

🙄 Bus again combined with 🚶👩‍🦼🚲 and not disaggregated

25/26 £189m (of which £20m+ went to 🚌)
26/27 £226m (includes "increased" 🚌 cash)

🤔 Also note 24/25 & 25/26 *expenditure* was significantly less than *budget*. So will 26/27 all be used?
picture of cover of budget document Scottish Budget: 2026-27
January 13, 2026 at 3:46 PM
Reposted by SpokesLothian
drscottarthurmp.bsky.social
🚨 Shocking Stats on Speeding Near Edinburgh Schools! 🚨

I’ve been exploring this fascinating tool: speeding.hasp.ac.uk

It uses GPS data to show how often goods vehicles are speeding in Edinburgh (and beyond). The results? Honestly worrying.

More>>
January 13, 2026 at 11:53 AM
Reposted by SpokesLothian
wolct.bsky.social
What an enjoyable session at West Mill Rd today. With the milder weather everyone was raring to go and we got loads done! Railings repainted, paths and drainage swept and cleared, laurel & litter removed. Most satisfying! Thanks everyone!
January 12, 2026 at 4:04 PM
Reposted by SpokesLothian
bjpaddy.bsky.social
www.lothianbuses.com/news/2026/01...
Public transport use in the capital continues to grow - Lothian Buses
Lothian Buses and Edinburgh Trams have today (9 January) announced increased patronage across the city’s bus and tram networks in 2025, with more than 130 million customer journeys recorded. Across th...
www.lothianbuses.com
January 13, 2026 at 7:25 AM
Reposted by SpokesLothian
sbarlster.bsky.social
It will 100% happen again. How do we know? Because the system we put in place that allows this to happen again and again and again, has not been fixed.

Too scared to limit drivers and manufacturers freedoms.

Shall we take a look how #Mercedes sell the A45… (1/n)

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Drunk driver jailed for killing man he hit at 91mph in Paisley
Callum Fox, who was described by friends as being
www.bbc.co.uk
January 12, 2026 at 7:30 PM
Reposted by SpokesLothian
djcaress.bsky.social
A ban that’s a lot longer than most, but why not a lifetime driving ban? Showed complete contempt for the law and killed as a result of his selfish actions.

Surely being convicted of Death by Dangerous Driving should carry a lifetime driving ban as default?
January 12, 2026 at 9:00 PM
Reposted by SpokesLothian
andy-cox.bsky.social
I’m so saddened to hear of the closure of RoadPeace for financial reasons.

The charity did so much good — supporting crash victims, standing with bereaved families at their darkest moments, & tirelessly campaigning for safer roads.

I hope one day it can be re-established & continue its vital work.
January 13, 2026 at 6:16 AM
Reposted by SpokesLothian
nigelbagshaw.bsky.social
‘In Japan, automobile owners must obtain a shako shomei sho, or “garage certificate,” showing that they have secured a place to store the vehicle overnight at their residence or in a parking garage; leaving it streetside is not an option.’
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
How Japan Won its ‘Traffic War’
Until the early 1970s, Japan endured a high rate of road fatalities. Now the nation boasts one of the world’s best traffic safety records. Here's why.
www.bloomberg.com
January 12, 2026 at 10:24 PM
Reposted by SpokesLothian
sw20.info
“We love mulching”

The SW20 free-to-hire community eCargobike being the work horse at a local community orchard in Campbell Park, #Edinburgh.
Three people standing next to an Urban Arrow eCargobike in the Campbell Park community orchard in Edinburgh on a wintry day.
January 12, 2026 at 7:01 PM
Reposted by SpokesLothian
flightfreeuk.bsky.social
Booking this years hols? Look no further than the buckets of destination inspiration on our website. Today's spot light: gorgeous sleeper trains to Sicily flightfree.co.uk/travel_artic...
Sleeper train to Sicily
Peter Gilbert travels deep into the Mediterranean by rail, and finds that the two day journey is worth every minute
flightfree.co.uk
January 13, 2026 at 10:01 AM
spokes.org.uk
🙋 Excellent discussion why it's vital to respond to the #DundeeStreet / #Fountainbridge consultn

consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/sfc/dundee-s...

.. ends TODAY, Mon 12 Jan

It's easy! Or, if short of time, email [email protected] with your view

@johnrobson87.bsky.social
January 12, 2026 at 10:41 AM