Consultation and Engagement Hub

For your views on proposals to introduce street trees along both Priestfield Road and Prestonfield Road, and install new footway build-outs at various locations to provide greater footway space and reduce crossing widths. We also wanted to hear your views on proposals to improve the rear entrance to Prestonfield Primary School by closing a section of the road between Clearburn Road and Clearburn Gardens to all vehicles, except refuse vehicles serving Clearburn Road.

We received 322 responses to the online survey.

Street trees

• 69% of the survey respondents are in favour of installing new trees along Priestfield Road and Prestonfield Road.
• 24% of the survey respondents raised concerns about installing new trees, specifically along Priestfield Road.
• 7% of the survey respondents shared no opinion.

Road closure outside Prestonfield Primary School

• 64% of the survey respondents agreed with closing a section of Prestonfield Road and making improvements outside the school.
• 13% of the survey respondents disagreed with the proposed closure of the section of road outside the primary school.
• 23% of respondents shared no opinion.

Based on the overall responses, there was very positive feedback for the introduction of new street trees and particularly for improving safety at the rear entrance to Prestonfield Primary School. There was also a lot of support for introducing footway build-outs, shortening crossing points and resurfacing both roads.

However, concerns were raised on the following:

• Long-term maintenance of any new tree pits and fallen leaves.
• Removal of parking specifically along Priestfield Road.
• Restricted visibility and sight lines due to the planting of new trees.
• Proposed tree pits being located too close to entrances.

Based on the feedback we received, we will:

• Revise the overall design by relocating or removing certain tree pits to suit various requests and eliminate any problem areas.
• Consult further with road safety, active travel, and accessibility groups to ensure measures for all user groups are considered and incorporated.
• Consult further with Parking colleagues to ensure a balance is reached between providing adequate parking provision and installing new tree pits, particularly along Priestfield Road.
• Work with emergency services to ensure any new design accounts for their accessibility requirements.
• Continue to work with tree officers and landscape architects to ensure any new species of tree are suitable for their proposed locations.
• Start the relevant statutory procedures for traffic orders.

Future Event

We are also planning a local in-person event, where members of the public will be able to view the final design plans and discuss any other matters further. Details for this event will be communicated to all residents once the design plans are finalised.

We wanted to hear your views on design proposals for restoring Lindsay Road Bridge in Newhaven. The bridge has been closed to all users since November 2021 due to its poor condition.

Prior to its closure, the bridge was used as a link for walking, wheeling and cycling between North Fort Street and Lindsay Road. It was also used in recent years as a community space and outdoor seating area. A community-backed project painted the bridge in rainbow colours in August/September 2021, which led to the bridge being referred to locally as the ‘Pride’ or ‘Rainbow’ Bridge.

A project to design a replacement bridge deck and community space has been funded Sustrans Places for Everyone Fund. The design aims to:

• re-establish a direct, safe and segregated active travel route for commuters, local residents and businesses;
• restore a well-used community space; and
• reinstate an important LGBTQ+ landmark.

To ensure the project meets the needs of the community, consultation on the proposals took place between 22 February 2024 and 4 April 2024. People were invited to share their views via an online survey, two public information/drop-in sessions and a Youth Group Meeting hosted by LGBT Youth Scotland. There were also discussions with a range of consultees and stakeholders.

The consultation was advertised via social media, press releases, local advertising and leaflet drops.

There were 910 responses to the online survey, with 179 people attending the information sessions.

• 77% of the survey respondents felt that they would likely walk or wheel more short journeys due to the proposals.
• There was a positive response to the plans to restore an accessible active travel route, create an improved public realm and maintain the LGBTQ+ artwork and symbolism.
• The bridge continuing to be used as a community space was strongly supported. The online survey highlighted that environmental features (72.97%) and meeting spaces with seating and planting (70.66%) would be valued.
• There were requests for artwork or interpretation boards related to the bridge’s history or LGBTQ+ theme, which could enhance the bridge's aesthetics and functionality. History plaques documenting the history of the bridge were also a popular feature highted by the online survey (73.19%).
• A preferred parapet design option was chosen by respondents to the online survey.
• Concerns of the impact of the pride/rainbow surfacing on users who are neurodivergent or have neurodegenerative conditions were raised. It was also noted that the colour scheme does not match the order of the Progress Pride flag.
• Concerns were raised about the potential tree losses and impact on green spaces due to the project.
• There were also concerns about relocating the sports court to accommodate the amphitheatre/stepped access.
• Lighting was highlighted as an important feature to be included in the design.

Based on the feedback received, we have revised the design proposals. The main changes are:

• Proposed changes to ‘Pride’ surfacing including the corrected colour order.
• Reduced sized amphitheatre/steps, which will reduce its impact on greenspace and avoid the need to relocate the sports courts, while still providing an enlarged community space/seating area.
• A ramp access will not be progressed, which would have had a significant impact on greenspace and result in the loss of several trees.
• Existing ramped accesses can still be utilised.
• The chosen parapet design from the online survey will be used.
• Lighting will be provided.
• Any tree losses will be minimised. Additional planting and environment features such as bird/bat boxes will be included in the design.

The next steps are:

• Complete design of proposals.
• Further consultation with the community, accessibility organisations and specialist agencies to ensure the ‘Pride’ surfacing is aesthetically pleasing and inclusive.
• Further consultation with the community to create interpretation boards, which was a key outcome from this engagement.
• Apply for planning permission for the design.
• Apply to Transport Scotland for construction funding (Expected 2025).

We have been developing designs to improve five junctions along the Roseburn to South Gyle route (Quiet Route 9), focussing on three sites in the Balgreen area - sites H, I and J.

With these improvements we aimed to:

• make the streets safer and easier to use for anyone walking, wheeling or cycling
• connect to other routes in the area, including the City Centre West to East Link and the Roseburn to Union Canal link.

We asked for your views on the proposals to help us shape final designs.

We received 779 responses.

There was support for:

• enhancing crossings for pedestrians and cyclists
• potentially reducing traffic speeds
• enhancing the public realm.

There concerns raised about:

• cost of construction and maintenance
• perceived low priority/necessity of the proposed work
• displacement of traffic to other parts of the neighbourhood
• additional pressure on parking spaces, especially during events at Murrayfield Stadium.

While support did vary, the majority of comments received were either opposed or strongly opposed to the proposed improvements at all three sites.

We have listened to your feedback and taken into account the Our Future Streets: a circulation plan for Edinburgh, which was agreed by our Transport and Environment Committee earlier this year.

With wider plans for improvements along the A8, from Roseburn to Maybury roundabout, we have decided to indefinitely suspend any further work on developing these proposals and re-allocate resources to other projects. The work completed to date will be filed to ensure it is available to support any future developments at these locations.