Spaces for People Edinburgh: Council reveal that only two official complaints have been lodged against scheme since it was established

The Evening News submitted a Freedom of Information request to the council, asking for the exact number of official complaints made in reference to either the Spaces for People scheme itself or any project relating to the scheme since it originated in May, last year.

The scheme was developed to provide more space for walkers and cyclists in a bid to make social distancing easier amid the pandemic.

Some of the measures, introduced without public consultation using emergency coronavirus powers, have proved incredibly controversial, with several sparking community campaigns against them.

One such group is threatening legal action if the council don’t halt plans to implement the scheme, which started on Monday this week, on Lanark Road, Inglis Green Road and Longstone Road.

Plans include the implementation of segregated cycle lanes and bus lanes on four miles of road in the area.

South West Edinburgh in Motion (Swem) representing all road users, including cyclists, has engaged the services of a QC who has advised them that to use the risk of Covid-19 transmission as justification for these measures could be unlawful.

Furthermore, specific measures have been criticised like “floating” bus stops, where passengers have to cross a cycle lane between the pavement and the bus, and a lack of parking spaces outside local businesses.

However, support for the scheme has also been voiced with Morag Jones, from Living Streets Edinburgh, telling a Merchiston Community Council meeting in November: “We are very supportive of all the measures with Spaces for People.

"We completed a street audit of the A702 corridor, between Tollcross and Morningside, and identified a lot of parts where there was movement space, queuing spaces, walking space, and buffer space which all benefited pedestrians in this area.”

A commonplace tool which was used to gather feedback from the public on the scheme between May 29 and June 29, 2020, received a total of 4,100 comments.

The council said these were analysed to assess which elements of the project needed to be reconsidered.

Transport and Environment Convener Councillor Lesley Macinnes said today: “There have been two formal complaints about the far-reaching city-wide Spaces for People proposals.

"We recognise that making changes to how we use our roads and pavements can be concerning to many people, although those fears can often subside once people can see the changes in operation.

"That is why we have carried out a great deal of engagement with community stakeholders around each project, including attending public meetings, meeting with business owners and liaising with community councils.

"As a result many of the Spaces for People schemes have been amended in response to concerns from residents."

She continued: “Ultimately, these measures have been developed to benefit the people who live and work here, by creating safer, more accessible routes for daily exercise and essential journeys while physically distancing.

"Due to their emergency nature we haven’t been able to carry out the same volume of consultation as long term schemes, but we’ve still listened to feedback from communities throughout this process.”

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