Edinburgh's Covid road changes blamed for delays of 60 minutes to bus journeys

CONTROVERSIAL road changes across the city have held up buses by up to 60 minutes and made timetables “redundant”, Lothian Buses’ boss has said.

The measures, including road closures, wider pavements and new cycle lanes, have been introduced under the city council’s Spaces for People programme to make it easier for people to maintain physical distancing.

Parents complained on social media of children taking 90 minutes to get home from Boroughmuir High School when the normal journey time is 30 minutes.

The issue was taken up by Scott Arthur, Labour councillor for Colinton/Fairmilehead, who said the bus journey was now slower than walking.

And he posted a reply he got from Lothian Buses managing director Nigel Serafini: “Road traffic volumes have significantly increased this week coinciding with increased roadworks and new road management measures across the city. This has led to significant congestion and delays to services of up to 60 minutes, causing planned timetables to be rendered redundant. As traffic has slowed, loadings have become heavier and additional journeys have been unable to be in the right place and time to cater for school exit times.”

He said timetables were being adjusted.

Transport convener Lesley Macinnes said the council was closely monitoring changes to ensure smooth-running public transport. She said several factors, including temporary traffic lights at Kaimes Crossroads, appeared to have contributed to delays.

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