SpokesLothian
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spokes.org.uk
SpokesLothian
@spokes.org.uk
1.4K followers 63 following 700 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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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
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
spokes.org.uk
#QuietRoute8 #QR8 ongoing closure

☹️ Another frustrated user!

@edi.bike @robbieainsworth.bsky.social @aleedscyclist.bsky.social @nialla.bsky.social @ehyslop.bsky.social @edthornley.bsky.social @mrjasonrose.bsky.social @groovesgg.bsky.social @aedansmith.bsky.social @rogerha.bsky.social
email to spokes from regular QR8 path user ... Date: Wed, 19 Nov 2025 at 23:41 Subject: Edinburgh park arena -part of cycle path 8 closed To: <spokes@spokes.org.uk> Hi As you probably know, the works for the Edinburgh Park Arena have started which has closed part of cycle route 8. Do you know if this will reopen later? It was my route to work from the station and it's very inconvenient having to carry my bike up 20 steps instead. Thanks Bluesky post from path user, with photo of the steps on the 'alternative route' ‪@mrjasonrose.bsky.social‬ · 23d I don't know who signed off the stopping up order for the cycle path between Edinburgh Park and Hermiston Gait but their idea of an 'alternative route' leaves a lot to be desired!
November 22, 2025 at 11:46 AM
spokes.org.uk
👍 #FerryRoad path: closure rethink

Our letter to council & cllrs attached..

#EdTravCyc @edi.bike @robbieainsworth.bsky.social @iammelissa.bsky.social @sarcainian.bsky.social @thedreadedlurgy.bsky.social @andrewburnie.bsky.social @crgn.bsky.social @stefsagrott.bsky.social @tracygriffen.bsky.social
post from Prof Peter Matthews saying pathto be reopened for a rethink on the closure by Leonardo UK Spokes letter, part 1 I'm writing regarding the closure of the Ferry Road Path between Leonardo and Morrisons in TTRO TEMP/25/148 from today 21st November until 16th January 2026. As I'm sure you know, this path forms an important Active Travel connection in the north of Edinburgh, being Quietroute11 and a protected Core Path. It is estimated to have 300-500 daily cycle trips (NPT Scotland), along with many more pedestrian journeys. Usage typically peaks 8-9am and 3-5pm. Being an offroad path, it is relied on by many users who are not comfortable or experienced cycling on a main road, including families and children. Risk The safety measures for these works appear surmountable and should not require a full closure. The fence erection works are similar to works conducted by the council in the past, such as tree felling works. I've attached an example on the Coltbridge Viaduct from 2020. The diversion across the Crewe Toll Roundabout is extremely busy with motor vehicles and surely presents a greater dangerous to cyclists otherwise using an offroad path. Will this diversion be signed and made suitably safe? I note the requirements in the NRSWA Red Book to ensure diversions are risk assessed for all users. Spokes letter, part 2 Amenity We are also concerned by the duration of this closure and the lack of notice. It is dissapointing that the closure was only signed on Wednesday, less than 48 hours before coming into effect, for what are clearly long planned works. TTROs are advised by the council to be submitted 30 working days in advance for adaquate process, and we would expect atleast a weeks notice. Advance signage should be placed to warn users of the closure, such as the attached example from Holyrood Park. The closure can be included within the weekly Edi.bike cycling newsletter on Monday. The 8 week duration of the closure appears very onerous. Works extends over the Christmas period when no work will likely be taking place. Additionally, we would expect works on such a busy route to be limited to outside of peaks hours. For example, recent path closures on the Union Canal were limited to 9:30am-3:30pm, with a member of staff present to assist disabled access. Will it be possible to reopen the path during peaks hours and the Christmas period? Statute I note the Department of Transport TSM Chapter 8, repeated in the councils own factsheet, state: D3.32.17 Wherever possible, access should be maintained for cyclists in both directions throughout the period of road works, avoiding more hazardous diversions. Where possible, a segregated cycle lane or route away from the carriageway should be provided particularly on dual carriageways or multi-lane roads. D3.32.18 When cycle routes, and other facilities for the exclusive use of cyclists and pedestrians, are affected by the road works the changes should be clearly signed well in advance of the road works. D3.32.19 Where there is cycle provision, such as cycle lanes or tracks, efforts should be made to keep these open or to provide an acceptable alternative during the road works.
November 21, 2025 at 7:11 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
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
#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
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
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
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
#tram

Here's what we said...

bsky.app/profile/spok...
November 20, 2025 at 10:04 AM