Walking, wheeling and cycling improvements in Currie

We asked for your views on proposals to improve walking, wheeling and cycling in Currie.

The proposals focus on

• improving access to Curriehill train station, local schools, shops and the medical centre, and
• providing safer crossings, improved cycle access and traffic calming around the schools.

The engagement was promoted using

• posters in local shops, schools and community centres,
• leaflets delivered throughout the project area,
• articles in the C&B News, and
• posts and event listings on the Council’s social media channels.

The project team spoke with a great variety of community and stakeholder groups. We held a public drop-in event in the local library on 16^th June, where people could view proposals and speak with the project team.

A total of 310 people responded to the questionnaire online and on paper.

Detailed results can be found in the full consultation report. Key findings were:

• Just over 70% of respondents supported and just under 22% opposed the implementation of formal crossings at the junction of Riccarton Avenue and Curriehill Road to help pupils and students safely cross the road.
• Almost 63% of respondents supported and 18% opposed the creation of a cycle path beside the current footpath between Curriehill Road and Palmer Road. The remaining 20% of respondents were neutral.
• 75% of respondents supported and 16% opposed a signalised crossing at Currie Primary School to help pupils safely cross the road to the Primary school.
• Just under 49% of respondents supported and 35% opposed footway widening and a section of one-way street at the Primary School between Curriehill Road and Palmer Road. The remaining 16% were neutral.
• Almost 91% of respondents supported the implementation of a ramp to access the medical centre and shops from Pentland View, 3% opposed the proposal. 
• 65% of respondents supported and 20% opposed the proposals to improve crossing the junctions around Pentland view and Curriehill Road. Around 15% were neutral.
• Almost 70% of respondent supported and 13% opposed proposals to improve crossing the junction south of Currie Highschool. Around 17% were neutral.
• 54% of respondents supported and 25% opposed the proposal to reduce the road width to one lane to create a safer crossing towards the Highschool. 21% of respondents were neutral.

People were also asked if they had any further suggestions to improve walking, wheeling and cycling in the local area, to which we received 191 responses. These can be found in the consultation report. Suggestions that relate to the project area and fall within the scope of the contributions have been taken into consideration and some of these will be taken forward.

Following the responses of the consultation and further discussions with the Primary and High schools and Lothian Buses, we are considering some changes to the original proposals, including:

• Section of one-way street at the Primary School between Curriehill Road and Palmer Road:  we are considering conducting a trial before making any permanent changes. The one-way street will only be made permanent if the evaluation of the trial shows a positive change for people walking and wheeling in this area.
• Curriehill Road: we are considering implementing three zebra crossings - one just south of Riccarton Mains Road, one at the Primary School and one just north of Lanark Road.