Craigmillar Niddrie Connections

We asked for your views on proposals to revitalise the Craigmillar and Niddrie area by creating better spaces for high-quality, safe walking, wheeling, and cycling routes as well as improved bus priority, alongside more attractive places to spend time.

We used posters and lamppost wraps, and leaflets that were delivered throughout the project area to publicise the engagement. We also promoted the consultation through the Council’s social media channels.

The project team spoke with a great variety of community and stakeholder groups. We held public drop-in events in the area, where proposals could be viewed and the project team was available for questions and discussion.

256 people and organisations responded to the online questionnaire. Around 83% of the respondents live in or just outside the project area.

The proposals for the Craigmillar Niddrie Connections project received around 60% support and around 25% opposition, the remaining respondents neither supported nor opposed the proposals.

Depending on the question, support varied from 56.7% to 68.5%, and opposition varied from 12.2% to 29.5%.

We asked 2 questions at the end of the questionnaire:

To the question ‘Would the proposed changes make it more or less likely that you or your family would walk, wheel or cycle to the local schools, shops, parks and other destinations?’

• Just over 53% responded ‘More likely’
• Just under 27% responded ‘No change’
• Just under 16% responded ‘Less likely’

To the question ‘Would the proposed changes make it more or less likely that you or your family would use public transport?’

• Around 38.5% responded ‘More likely’
• Around 40.5% responded ‘No change’
• Just under 17.5% responded ‘Less likely’

The results of the consultation indicate that there is broad agreement that the Peffermill - Craigmillar – Niddrie - Newcraighall corridor requires improvement, particularly in relation to pedestrian and cycle safety, congestion, bus reliability and the quality of the existing infrastructure.

The responses could broadly be characterised as falling into two groups:

1. Supportive of the proposals, particularly the protected cycleway, pedestrian safety measures, the introduction of bus lanes, bus-stop bypasses and greener public realm. Supporters believe protected cycleways, better pedestrian facilities and bus priority will improve safety and encourage a shift towards sustainable travel, thus reducing car dependency and congestion.

Some respondents were conditionally supportive, requesting further improvements - see below.

2. Opposed or sceptical, primarily because respondents believe the scheme will reduce road capacity and increase congestion, while questioning whether there are enough cyclists to justify the space and expenditure. This group also has concerns about space for emergency services and for car parking.

Further improvements are requested regarding:

• the start and the end of the two-way cycle lane: entering and leaving the lane should be made safer;
• extending the cycle route, so it reaches other routes or destinations like Cameron Toll and the Innocent Railway path. There is also a strong desire to make sure that the cycle lane along Greendykes Road continues all the way to Niddrie Mains Road;
• further improvement to pedestrian crossings (on desire lines) and junctions (options to improve staging and using smart sensor and signal systems)
• focus on accessibility in the detailed design and delivery of elements like bus stop bypasses, continuous pavements and segregated cycle lanes;
• providing more greenspace, trees, seating, cycle stands and good signage along the route.

People also requested to make sure that:

• the project does not support anti-social behaviour (potential abuse of cycle lanes and greenspaces);
• action will be taken to minimise disruption during the construction phase of the project;

Most respondents supported the development of Cairntows Park. The proposals were seen as an opportunity to make the park a more attractive, welcoming and useful community space.

Various people requested that the changes would not impact the activities of the football club.

Many respondents also supported the proposals around Castleview Primary School, improving the safety of pupils traveling to and from school. Some people would like to see a further roll-out of School Streets at other schools in the area. Some respondents wanted to go further and suggested to introduce a modal filter to prevent rat running outside the Castleview Primary School.

Next steps

Following your feedback, we intend to:

• further investigate the impact the new road layout will have on traffic and congestion;
• We will carry out traffic modelling, comparing the current situation with a model of the new situation;   
• improve the design of the start and the end of the segregated cycle lane to make these areas safer;
• investigate if we can extend the project to improve connections to nearby paths and destinations;
• make sure that guidance and best practice is followed when it comes to bus stop bypasses, continuous footways, segregated cycle lanes and the junctions;
• take suggestions into consideration to further improve the design of Cairntows Park, greenspaces and trees, public realm, crossing locations, blue badge parking etc.;
• consider how best to phase the project in order to minimise disruption.

We will also consider other issues that were raised during the consultation as we develop more detailed designs, and we will continue to incorporate community feedback as the project moves through the next stages of design.

You can read the full Concept Design Engagement report here:

Craigmillar Niddrie Connections- Concept Design Engagement report