Consultation Hub

The council engaged with residents, visitors and businesses to seek feedback on the project which aims to create a safer and more comfortable environment for residents and visitors walking, wheeling, cycling and spending time in the local streets and outdoor spaces of Leith. To meet these objectives, the Council is developing proposals for:

• a new high quality cycling link from the Foot of the Walk to Ocean Terminal; and
• a Low Traffic Neighbourhood in Leith.

The engagement sought to raise awareness of the two phases of the project, presented concept designs on the cycle route and asked for feedback to inform the design of the low traffic neighbourhood and the potential changes to the area.

Over 800 responses to the online survey were received, together with emailed responses from individuals, businesses and organisations. We also met with a Community Reference Group we have formed for the project and attended a public Community Council meeting.

From the survey responses:

• 75% of survey respondents strongly support and support the aim for improving cycling conditions in Leith.
• 80% of survey respondents strongly support and support the aim for improving walking conditions in Leith.
• The most popular local destinations were Ocean Terminal, Leith Walk and Leith Links. Walking was used for the highest proportion of these journeys with between 44-65% of trips and cycling was used on 13-23% of trips.

Further information can be seen in the full engagement summary reports:

Leith Connections Stage 1 – Engagement Report Foot of the Walk to Ocean Terminal Cycle Route

Leith Connections Stage 1 – Engagement Report Low Traffic Neighbourhood

Following consideration of the information gathered, developed design on the Foot of the Walk to Ocean Terminal cycle route has commenced and proposals for the low traffic neighbourhood are to be presented to the community for further feedback prior to being taken forward.

We asked for comments on our proposals for major refurbishment works on Newbattle Terrace between Morningside Road and Eden Lane.

Although many respondents were supportive of the scheme overall, the most unpopular aspect by far was the proposal to narrow and signalise the junction of Newbattle Terrace and Pitsligo Road, and to render Pitsligo one-way at its southern end.

We have re-examined the arrangement at Pitsligo Road and have amended the design as follows:

• Pitsligo Road will remain two-way over its entire length
• There will no longer be a stand-alone pedestrian crossing on Newbattle Terrace
• The narrowing at the junction of Newbattle and Pitsligo will remain, with a minimum of 2-metre-wide footpaths
• The junction of Newbattle and Pitsligo will be a 3-way traffic signal junction with pedestrian crossing points on all arms

We asked for views on crossing proposals in the vicinity of Stanhope Street and Hampton Terrace as part of the City Centre West to East Link (CCWEL) cycle infrastructure project.

The proposals are summarised below:

Option A- Pedestrian and segregated cycle crossing (Stanhope Street one way with motorists entering via Stanhope Street and exiting via Devon Place)

Option B – Pedestrian crossing only (maintain two-way access for traffic at Stanhope Street.  Cyclists need to dismount to access and use the crossing)                        

There were 102 responses to this consultation.  Responses were predominately from local residents. There was one response from the local amenity association.

Details of preferences expressed are:

Option A             11%

Option B              89%

The majority of respondents favoured Option B.

Respondents expressed strong concern that closing Stanhope Street to two way traffic would put unnecessary traffic pressure on the only exit point at the east end of Devon Place which is already considered to be a difficult junction.  By moving traffic onto the neighbouring cobbled streets this would cause congestion, noise and disruption and impact on air quality. It was also considered that only a small number of cyclists would use the segregated cycle crossing.

Those in favour of option A commented that a segregated cycle crossing would provide a family friendly crossing and a significant improvement to safety.  Concerns were expressed that it would be awkward for cyclists having to dismount at a pedestrian crossing. 

Following consideration of the preferences given and the comments arising from the consultation, we now propose to progress with Option B as the approved design to be taken forward.