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spokes.org.uk
SpokesLothian
@spokes.org.uk
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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 · 6d
#Tram consultation - Spokes submission

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

🙋 You have till midnight Monday for your own response!
HERE--> consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/sfc/tram-nor...

@edi.bike @edinreporter.bsky.social @edinburghminute.bsky.social @thecockburn.bsky.social @edfoc.bsky.social
Intro... Tram, Granton to Bioquarter consultation Spokes Planning Group response, November 2025 1. Introduction Spokes has the objective of promoting cycling as part of an overall sustainable transport and access strategy. As such, we support a growing tram system for Edinburgh, provided cycling is well catered for in the project design and operation. The aim of the tram is to reduce car traffic, and to head off potential traffic growth in development areas such as Granton and the Bioquarter. If successful, this is a huge benefit to walking and cycling, as well as its benefits in terms of congestion, public health and climate. However, the project should be accompanied by complementary measures to further encourage use of public transport and active travel, for example bus gates, traffic filters, and, notably, congestion charging. It is well established that traffic reduction is best achieved by a carrot/stick combination. The tram project must support and promote active travel as a whole, and cycling in particular, and must not introduce additional dangers without effective mitigation. The Council has ambitious targets to increase cycle use, much of which must come from novice and inexperienced cyclists, as well as visitors and locals using an expanding bike hire scheme. As such it is essential that there is a safe, comprehensive and connected bike network of segregated bike lanes and low-traffic areas, easy and safe to use by anybody, and with any kind of cycles - including cargobikes, adapted bikes, hire bikes, etc. Introducing the tram should be seen and planned from the outset as an integrated sustainable transport place making project, not a tram-only project into which cycling and walking have to be slotted in once all the tramline decisions are taken as happened with tramline 1 and to a considerable (though lesser) extent in the Newhaven extension. The Bridges corridor is hugely problematic.. 8. City Centre to Bioquarter Top issues ● The section through North and South Bridges is of extreme concern to Spokes, with no cycle provision, new tramlines and continued through traffic on a road where width is at a premium. This is making cycling provision far worse than in the current bus lanes. The project should include a bus gate / modal filter (as was planned, though never implemented, as part of the Spaces for People proposals ) potentially single track sections (like at Roseburn) and fully segregated cycle provision, or consideration to tram tracks on one side of the road and a bidirectional bike path on the other. For the reasons in the following two bullet points, many cyclists will continue to use this corridor - our above section on Bikes and Tramlines notes that Princes Street as a good example of this, with many choosing not to use the quieter George Street when it is less direct or lacks desired destinations. Thus cycling conditions must be safe. ● Whilst alternative north-south routes for cycles are proposed in the consultation, these would not suit all journeys, with many cyclists using the Bridges to travel between South Edinburgh and Leith given the more suitable gradient and directness than the Mound. And whilst there is a brief reference to the proposed Meadows to George Street route on the west side of the Bridges, there is no reference to the east side, where the Mobility Plan suggests a new active travel bridge connecting from the Old Town to Leith Walk. Such projects must be an integral part of the tram project provision including during the construction phase, also providing a permanent legacy of improved provision once finished. ● The Bridges corridor is a major residential, shopping and destinations location, and many cyclists use it for that reason; indeed many live along or just off the corridor. Routes via the Mound or Pleasance are irrelevant as alternatives for these categories of user.… linking the North Ed Network to the new canal path without descending and re-ascending - a transformative opportunity - diagram. ● Connecting Roseburn to the new Canal link path - The sketch below shows a possible layout for this crucial linkage. The yellow dotted line shows a ramp down to Russell Road, but this is possibly optional if it would cause engineering difficulties, given that most people will stay at high level, whilst those needing to descend or ascend could do so at Roseburn or at the nearby ramp to the new canal path. Finally, we understand that earlier discussions with Network Rail did not meet objections to a bridge provided that all necessary clearances are achieved. Picture of single-track shopping-street tram in Amsterdam
Reposted by SpokesLothian
spokes.org.uk
#QR8 closure ctd

Spokes has raised this closure repeatedly

The path was removed to install electrical cables

The arena development will install a new path, but not yet begun construction, so not clear when path will be reinstated

🤔 Councillors? @ehyslop.bsky.social @edthornley.bsky.social
November 22, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Reposted by SpokesLothian
sw20.info
In #Edinburgh 40% of households don’t have access to a car at all, yet so much of our public space is devoted to private vehicles.

#StreetsNOTroads

hellosw20.wixsite.com/sw20ed/post/...
November 9, 2024 at 8:46 AM
Reposted by SpokesLothian
blackfordsaferoutes.co.uk
Leith Walk earlier this afternoon

#EdinburghHaar
#NoFilter
A street with a tram line glissens as slightly wet. It is foggy with low sun. The buildings, people, lampposts, cars are all in silhouette. The image appears black and white, except for one grew traffic light
November 22, 2025 at 9:25 PM
spokes.org.uk
If #ScotGov introduced #Default20mph (like #Wales) then #bureaucracy like this & signage costs would be reduced

@edi.bike @markruskell.bsky.social @stephenjenkinson.bsky.social @chasbooth.bsky.social @kevin-lang.bsky.social @edinreporter.bsky.social @20splenty.bsky.social @edfoc.bsky.social #20mph
Traffic order... Dear Sir / Madam WESTERN VILLAGE AND GRANTON STATION VIEW DEVELOPMENTS - EDINBURGH PROPOSED INTRODUCTION OF SPEED LIMITS, WAITING RESTRICTIONS AND PARKING PLACES I refer to our previous letter of 2 May 2025 regarding the above. In accordance with the terms of the Local Authorities’ Traffic Orders (Procedure) (Scotland) Regulations 1999, I write to inform you that the City of Edinburgh Council proposes to advertise the Traffic Regulation Order which will: Introduce 20mph speed limits that operate at any time on Blackwell Rd, Fisher St, Fleet Ter, Granton Station Vw, Herring Rd, Well’s Gait and W Colonsay Vw; Introduce waiting restrictions that operate at any time on Blackwell Rd, Colonsay Vw, Fisher St, Fleet Ter, Granton Station Vw, Herring Rd, Waterfront Pk, Well’s Gait and W Colonsay Vw; Introduce waiting restrictions that operate Mon-Fri, 08.30am to 5.30pm on Blackwell Rd, Colonsay Vw, Fisher St and W Colonsay Vw; Introduce disabled bays that operate at any time on Fisher St, Granton Station Vw, Herring Rd, Waterfront Pk and W Colonsay Vw; Introduce car club bays that operate at any time on Blackwell Rd, Fisher St, Granton Station Vw and W Colonsay Vw; Introduce electric vehicle charging bays that operate at any time on Blackwell Rd, Fisher St, Herring Rd and W Colonsay Vw; and Remove a disabled bay that operates at any time on Waterfront Pk. The proposals relating to this Order can be viewed online at consultation.appyway.com/edinburgh-city, from 21 November 2025 to 19 December 2025 by following the link to “Proposals in consultation” under reference TRO/25/10. Alternatively, you can view the documents free of charge at Waverley Court Reception between 9:30 and 15:30 Monday to Friday during the same period. You can also register for email or text alerts via the Tell Me Scotland portal at www.tellmescotland.gov.uk which also provides details of this proposal. Should you wish to submit an objec…
November 22, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Reposted by SpokesLothian
laidbackbikes.bsky.social
If you cycle tour then you now have an alternative to ScotRail / Citylink / Flix for bike transport. Ember routes now go as far north as Wick & Thurso

Bikes are easy to prebook on Ember site. They don't insist on bike bag but not too muddy as bike may go in hold.
@spokes.org.uk @edi.bike @sw20.info
Ember e-bus live tracking map showing network with Aberdeen, Inverness, Wick and Fort William and many points in between. All tickets must be pre booked. Bus cannot be hailed at stop.
November 21, 2025 at 9:01 AM
Reposted by SpokesLothian
edtiss.bsky.social
*All-time record* set at the Omni Centre cycle lane on the 7th November - 2,265 cycle journeys.

I can only speculate that the rollout of Voi e-bikes has significantly boosted cycling in Edinburgh this autumn, bucking the seasonal trend.
November 21, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Reposted by SpokesLothian
spokes.org.uk
#A701 'relief road' petition

--> pentlandhouse.com/cbxpetition/...

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

@edi.bike @edfoc.bsky.social @sw20.info @shona-mcintosh.bsky.social @helenrambler.bsky.social @midlothiancan.bsky.social @thebonnieloon.bsky.social @mrjasonrose.bsky.social
Heading of the petition, plus picture of the fields to be built over Stop the £55 Million A701 Relief Road Target: 1000 Received: 537 53.7% The Issue Midlothian Council has submitted a £55 million plan (25/00521/DPP) for a “A701 Relief Road” — but the evidence shows it will make congestion and environmental problems worse, not better.
November 21, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Reposted by SpokesLothian
spokes.org.uk
☹️ If @edinburghcouncil.bsky.social can do it why not #LeonardoUK?

@edi.bike @stephenjenkinson.bsky.social @vicnicsnp.bsky.social @julebandel.bsky.social @edfoc.bsky.social @edinreporter.bsky.social @turvill.bsky.social @nellibdems.bsky.social @stockbridgeicc.bsky.social @edcriticalmass.bsky.social
robbieainsworth.bsky.social Robbie Ainsworth @robbieainsworth.bsky.social · 2d
It's disappointing to see public safety cited as a reason for implementing such a dangerous diversion across a busy junction.
It should be possible to manage the risk of works along the path as done for CEC's regular lighting, devegetation and drainage works.
November 21, 2025 at 9:10 AM
Reposted by SpokesLothian
iammelissa.bsky.social
Now reading that one alt route via Ferry Rd is closed for 2 months. I’m sorry this is all far too much and too difficult. We don’t own a car, Edinburgh Council - you should be making things safer not actively dangerous! @edi.bike @spokes.org.uk @blackfordsaferoutes.co.uk #EdTravCyc
November 21, 2025 at 2:37 PM
spokes.org.uk
🤔 #CommunityCouncil

@merchistoncc.bsky.social ‬
@longstonecc.bsky.social
@stockbridgeicc.bsky.social
@ntbcc.bsky.social

?? Any more #Edinburgh or #Lothians CCs on @bsky.app

@edi.bike @thecockburn.bsky.social @edinburghlibraries.bsky.social @edinburghcouncil.bsky.social @edinreporter.bsky.social
November 21, 2025 at 12:50 PM
Reposted by SpokesLothian
cleancitiescampaign.org
⚡🚲 Can e-cargo bikes replace cars for daily trips?

In suburban trials in the UK, households loaning e-cargo bikes rode 38-42km a week, with over half of trips replacing car journeys.

Habits can change quickly when people are given the chance to try 🙏

www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJ0K...
What Happens When Real People Try e-Cargo Bikes?
Can e-cargo bikes really replace your car for daily trips? We dive into the results of The Elevate project, a three-year UK research project that logged 8,00...
www.youtube.com
November 13, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Reposted by SpokesLothian
solveschoolrun.bsky.social
❓Want to start using a cargo bike to rev up your school run?

Just imagine you and your kids zipping up quiet back streets, skipping traffic jams and no more, "Are we there yet?" Bliss!

👉 Our newsletter has bags of intel and advice! bit.ly/3X4M5M9

#SolveTheSchoolRun #cargobikes #parentinghacks
November 21, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Reposted by SpokesLothian
cwmaddix.bsky.social
My journey to the school gates: 7 minutes on the bike → 20 minutes by bus
Supermarket trip: 10 minutes on the bike → 30 minutes by bus
Across the city: 25 minutes on the bike → 60 minutes by bus

So cycling is three times faster than the bus, for me.
November 20, 2025 at 3:11 PM
spokes.org.uk
☹️ If @edinburghcouncil.bsky.social can do it why not #LeonardoUK?

@edi.bike @stephenjenkinson.bsky.social @vicnicsnp.bsky.social @julebandel.bsky.social @edfoc.bsky.social @edinreporter.bsky.social @turvill.bsky.social @nellibdems.bsky.social @stockbridgeicc.bsky.social @edcriticalmass.bsky.social
robbieainsworth.bsky.social Robbie Ainsworth @robbieainsworth.bsky.social · 2d
It's disappointing to see public safety cited as a reason for implementing such a dangerous diversion across a busy junction.
It should be possible to manage the risk of works along the path as done for CEC's regular lighting, devegetation and drainage works.
November 21, 2025 at 9:10 AM
Reposted by SpokesLothian
robbieainsworth.bsky.social
Ferry Road Path CLOSED to pedestrians and cyclists from today to 16 January for installation of a security fence at Leonardo. TTRO closure order was signed on Wednesday with the below diversion: www.edinburgh.gov.uk/downloads/fi... #EdTravCyc @spokes.org.uk @edi.bike
November 21, 2025 at 8:21 AM
Reposted by SpokesLothian
spokes.org.uk
🙄 #StMarksPath closure with no thought to🚲

Here's what it means for real people

@edi.bike @scottishconstructionnow.com @stephenjenkinson.bsky.social @spurtle.bsky.social @edinreporter.bsky.social @jackrmcaldwell.bsky.social @harryjwilliams.bsky.social @marklazarowicz.bsky.social @edfoc.bsky.social
email copied to spokes... Dear councillors, I'm getting in touch about the closure of St Mark's Path. I am asking you to work urgently with CEC and their contractor CCG to ensure that this initial 8 week closure does not receive local authority approval to continue for the duration of the Powderhall development, until Spring 2027. My family and I cycle along St Mark's Path on an almost daily basis. We live close to the McDonald Rd Fire Station. We haven't owned a car for 2.5 years; ours was stolen and we chose not to replace it. A significant factor in being able to remain car-free, with three very active school aged children, is the fantastic safe cycling routes we have in North Edinburgh, all of which we access via St Mark's Path. These paths open up safe travel routes to the kids' football club (Spartans FC at Ainslie Park), where they train and play three times per week, as well as many of their home pitches - Arboretum, Broughton HS, Wardie Playing Fields, Craigroyston HS etc. St Mark's Path also makes my cycle to work as a nurse at the WGH much safer than going through Canonmills, Stockbridge etc. It is very frustrating that such a well used element of Edinburgh's active travel network has been shut, albeit with an (disability unfriendly, unsuitably surfaced, poorly lit) pedestrian diversion. Crossing from McDonald Rd on to St Mark's Path is tricky enough with young kids on bikes, but at least there is the option to cross with the traffic lights. Conversely, travelling from McDonald Rd onto the diversion involves a left hand turn onto a busy road and then a right hand turn on a blind summit, or cycling along the footpath in a group. Both of these options bring their own dangers and neither would be deemed acceptable by anyone who cycles this route with children. It would be very much appreciated if you could share with me any information you have about any consultation that was undertaken about this closure, any impact assessment that was carried ou…
November 20, 2025 at 10:41 AM
Reposted by SpokesLothian
spokes.org.uk
#PrincesStreet

👍 Follow-up to above Planning Cttee decision

-> www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/edinbur...

We've now a genuine *hope* to cut traffic lanes 4->2 with more 🚶👩‍🦼space & 🚲 lanes

@edi.bike @stephenjenkinson.bsky.social @davidfkey.bsky.social @kevin-lang.bsky.social @edfoc.bsky.social
Part of Evening News article “I'm not suggesting you would just take Richard’s plan and implement that, but he's done something that is really interesting, really ambitious and I think it helps to achieve the thing which we want Princes Street to be - a place you want to come to and spend a lot of time in. “It challenged some of the conventions, it was a proper reimagining of what Princes Street is and could be. It's that kind of thinking we need if this is really going to return to being the vibrant beating heart of Edinburgh.” Planning convener Joan Griffiths said: “We’re committed to taking forward a workshop to progress the strategy to allow us to realise the city’s aspirations for Princes Street and come back to committee with a revised version for approval in late 2026.” more from the Ev News article... Cllr Lang said: “Princes Street is going to be very different in the future. It’s never going to be about trying to return Princes Street to being a retail hub. The question is what is it that will make this whole area a space that people want to come and spend more time in more often? “It’s right that we take more time to get the vision right. Otherwise we're at risk of making the wrong decisions now that then hold us back from transforming what this street is.” He noted that Edinburgh architect Richard Murphy had produced alternative ideas for Princes Street after the council masterplan was criticised. These included removing the railings from Princes Street Gardens and having the space open 24 hours a day, as well as widening the pavements and reducing the traffic lanes from four to two. Cllr Lang said: “He was talking about a big increase in the footways and circulation space, where people could meet and you could have markets and stalls, rethinking Princes Street Gardens, making them open for more of the time, and making all these safe and welcoming green spaces. Spokes post about Planning Cttee decision to seek a better Princes St outcome... SpokesLothian‬ ‪@spokes.org.uk‬ · 6d Replied to you #PrincesStreet #Edinwebcast 👍 Amendment passed, voting 7-4 👍 Fantastic news! Transport & wider considerations must now be incorporated in the strategy This might not have happened without long-term effort/persistence by Spokes & the visionary/technical expertise of Richard Murphy architects
November 19, 2025 at 11:31 AM
spokes.org.uk
TODAY Thurs 20 Nov...
November 20, 2025 at 10:15 AM
Reposted by SpokesLothian
magnatom.bsky.social
So I've been assaulted on the way home tonight. Currently waiting (away from where the incident happened for my wife to pick me up). I spotted him on his phone, he didn't like that. He got it out his car and started assaulting me. Fortunately I'm retired judo player so threw him to the ground and...
November 19, 2025 at 6:47 PM
spokes.org.uk
🙋 #Barnton Connections 🚶👩‍🦼🚲

🙋 DROP-IN Thur 20 Nov 2pm-6.30

--> consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/sfc/barnton-...

@edi.bike @nialla.bsky.social @sw20.info @kevin-lang.bsky.social @ehyslop.bsky.social @edthornley.bsky.social @edfoc.bsky.social @gylernorth.bsky.social @thebonnieloon.bsky.social
drop-in details... City Gates Church, Whitehouse Road From 20 Nov 2025 at 14:00 to 20 Nov 2025 at 18:30 More information An information event displaying the latest plans with an opportunity to discuss these with representatives from the designers and the City of Edinburgh Council. This is a drop-in event, held at City Gates Church, EH4 6BU and the public can attend at any time between 1400 and 1830. City Gates Church, Whitehouse Road From 1 Dec 2025 at 14:00 to 1 Dec 2025 at 18:30 Consultaiton page intro + visualisation of Whitehouse Rd with cycle & walk facilities Overview We have proposals to improve walking, wheeling, and cycling conditions along Maybury Road from the new housing at Cammo Meadows, through Barnton junction and along Whitehouse Road as far north as Barnton Avenue West. The changes would help the local community get to shops, schools and other important local facilities more easily and safely. They’ll be especially helpful for people living at Cammo, including the new Cammo Meadows housing, who currently have to cross the busy Barnton junction to get to the places they need. drawing of proposals for Maybury Rd/ Whitehouse Rd crossing of Queensferry Rd Map of entire project area, Maybury Rd to Whitehouse Rd
November 19, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Reposted by SpokesLothian
thecockburn.bsky.social
A fascinating glimpse into the changing face of Edinburgh, showing the city as it was, might have been, and is.

www.cockburnassociation.org.uk/product/camp...
Campaigning for Edinburgh - The Cockburn Association
A fascinating glimpse into the changing face of Edinburgh, showing the city as it was, might have been, and is. In 1849 Henry Cockburn asked: what will Edinburgh look like in 1949 or in 2049? He insp...
www.cockburnassociation.org.uk
August 14, 2025 at 3:38 PM
spokes.org.uk
🙋 Rainy-Day traffic count

😬 Spokes biannual count jinxed by lunchtime downpour!

--> www.spokes.org.uk/2025/11/nov-...

+ interesting data on car single-occupancy

@edi.bike @sw20.info @edtiss.bsky.social @edcriticalmass.bsky.social @edfoc.bsky.social
start of spokes article... Nov 2025: Rainy Day Traffic Count Our biannual city-centre traffic count*, on Tuesday 11 November, unusually fell on a day with significant rain forecast. The morning hour (8-9am) did stay dry, though cold, and, despite the forecast, cyclists formed 14.2% of all vehicles, almost unchanged from the 14.4% in last November’s bright and sunny count day. However at lunchtime, when, admittedly, many bike trips are optional, there was not just rain, but a major downpour: bike numbers plummeted and car and taxi numbers rose, resulting in bikes falling from 10.2% of all vehicles last year to 5.6% in 2025.
November 18, 2025 at 8:54 PM
Reposted by SpokesLothian
edi.bike
🚲 edi.bike | issue 119 | 17th Nov '25

North-South Tram Extension Consultation Midnight Today, 17th Nov; Voi Bikes in Cycle Racks Update; November Transport & Environment Committee Round-up; plus events, infrastructure, route closures & more:

buttondown.com/edi.bike/arc...

#bikeSky #edinburgh
A group of around ten protesters stand under the sandstone arches of the City Chambers on a cold, wet Royal Mile, its pavements shining and reflective of the buildings opposite in the rain - the protestors hold up hand-painted clocks, a large hand-painted road name plate reading ‘Cowgate’, and a long vinyl banner that reads ‘Delays Cost Lives! Support Active Travel Now!’. They are being addressed by a middle-aged man dressed in black, carrying a black umbrella - the Council’s Transport and Environment Committee Convener, Councillor Stephen Jenkinson.
November 17, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Reposted by SpokesLothian
wolct.bsky.social
What a fantastically productive session today at Bells Mill! Many hands making light work as we raked & swept the path along to the Britannia footbridge, cleared the Magdala steps, removed lots of rubbish, refreshed dead hedges & drains, and cleared fallen branches. Thanks again folks, great work!🙌
November 17, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Reposted by SpokesLothian
spokes.org.uk
#Tram consultation - Spokes submission

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

🙋 You have till midnight Monday for your own response!
HERE--> consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/sfc/tram-nor...

@edi.bike @edinreporter.bsky.social @edinburghminute.bsky.social @thecockburn.bsky.social @edfoc.bsky.social
Intro... Tram, Granton to Bioquarter consultation Spokes Planning Group response, November 2025 1. Introduction Spokes has the objective of promoting cycling as part of an overall sustainable transport and access strategy. As such, we support a growing tram system for Edinburgh, provided cycling is well catered for in the project design and operation. The aim of the tram is to reduce car traffic, and to head off potential traffic growth in development areas such as Granton and the Bioquarter. If successful, this is a huge benefit to walking and cycling, as well as its benefits in terms of congestion, public health and climate. However, the project should be accompanied by complementary measures to further encourage use of public transport and active travel, for example bus gates, traffic filters, and, notably, congestion charging. It is well established that traffic reduction is best achieved by a carrot/stick combination. The tram project must support and promote active travel as a whole, and cycling in particular, and must not introduce additional dangers without effective mitigation. The Council has ambitious targets to increase cycle use, much of which must come from novice and inexperienced cyclists, as well as visitors and locals using an expanding bike hire scheme. As such it is essential that there is a safe, comprehensive and connected bike network of segregated bike lanes and low-traffic areas, easy and safe to use by anybody, and with any kind of cycles - including cargobikes, adapted bikes, hire bikes, etc. Introducing the tram should be seen and planned from the outset as an integrated sustainable transport place making project, not a tram-only project into which cycling and walking have to be slotted in once all the tramline decisions are taken as happened with tramline 1 and to a considerable (though lesser) extent in the Newhaven extension. The Bridges corridor is hugely problematic.. 8. City Centre to Bioquarter Top issues ● The section through North and South Bridges is of extreme concern to Spokes, with no cycle provision, new tramlines and continued through traffic on a road where width is at a premium. This is making cycling provision far worse than in the current bus lanes. The project should include a bus gate / modal filter (as was planned, though never implemented, as part of the Spaces for People proposals ) potentially single track sections (like at Roseburn) and fully segregated cycle provision, or consideration to tram tracks on one side of the road and a bidirectional bike path on the other. For the reasons in the following two bullet points, many cyclists will continue to use this corridor - our above section on Bikes and Tramlines notes that Princes Street as a good example of this, with many choosing not to use the quieter George Street when it is less direct or lacks desired destinations. Thus cycling conditions must be safe. ● Whilst alternative north-south routes for cycles are proposed in the consultation, these would not suit all journeys, with many cyclists using the Bridges to travel between South Edinburgh and Leith given the more suitable gradient and directness than the Mound. And whilst there is a brief reference to the proposed Meadows to George Street route on the west side of the Bridges, there is no reference to the east side, where the Mobility Plan suggests a new active travel bridge connecting from the Old Town to Leith Walk. Such projects must be an integral part of the tram project provision including during the construction phase, also providing a permanent legacy of improved provision once finished. ● The Bridges corridor is a major residential, shopping and destinations location, and many cyclists use it for that reason; indeed many live along or just off the corridor. Routes via the Mound or Pleasance are irrelevant as alternatives for these categories of user.… linking the North Ed Network to the new canal path without descending and re-ascending - a transformative opportunity - diagram. ● Connecting Roseburn to the new Canal link path - The sketch below shows a possible layout for this crucial linkage. The yellow dotted line shows a ramp down to Russell Road, but this is possibly optional if it would cause engineering difficulties, given that most people will stay at high level, whilst those needing to descend or ascend could do so at Roseburn or at the nearby ramp to the new canal path. Finally, we understand that earlier discussions with Network Rail did not meet objections to a bridge provided that all necessary clearances are achieved. Picture of single-track shopping-street tram in Amsterdam
November 16, 2025 at 10:32 PM