Edinburgh road closure to improve safety is 'making other streets more dangerous'

Braid Road in Morningside has been closed to traffic since early in the pandemic as part of the council's Spaces for People programme.

But people living in Cluny Drive and other roads in the area say it has meant a huge increase in vehicles diverting along their residential streets, travelling at speeds of up to 40mph on what, outside the lockdown, is a popular route for children walking to school.

"If I had children of school age I would no longer let them walk to school on their own,” said resident Pilla Moncrieff.

She claimed traffic on Cluny Drive had increased ten-fold. "The speed at which it travels is not safe and we have no traffic calming measures so there is nothing to deter rat-running.

"I appreciate the idea of Spaces for People, it just seems incredibly badly thought out and there was no consultation whatsoever.”

She said Instead of closing Braid Road there could have been traffic-calming measures and a widened pavement. But sje said: “Braid Road is not used by cyclists and apart from the entrance to the Hermitage is barely used by pedestrians.”

The road closure is due to be reviewed by councillors on January 28.

Transport convener Lesley Macinnes said: “We are aware of local concerns around intrusive traffic in the area, and are carefully considering this and how it can be addressed as part of our review of the scheme, which will be discussed at the next transport and environment committee.

“We want the changes introduced through Spaces for People to benefit residents by creating safer spaces for essential journeys and daily exercise, and so far we’ve had lots of positive feedback from people who’ve been using this route on foot, bike or wheelchair. However, we are listening to issues raised by local people and will continue to engage with them.”

Vice Convener Councillor Karen Doran said: “The benefit of introducing Spaces for People schemes on a temporary basis is that we’re able to monitor and tweak the measures once they’re on the ground.”

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