Dalry - Living Well Locally

Results updated 10 Jan 2025

We asked

We asked for your views on proposals to improve Dalry and its town centre to make it greener, healthier and more thriving. The proposed concept design is based on initial feedback from local residents and other relevant stakeholders gathered through community engagement.

We used posters and lamppost wraps, and leaflets were delivered throughout the project area to publicise the engagement. We also promoted the opportunity to give feedback through articles in the local press and 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 area, where proposals could be viewed and the project team was available for questions and discussion.

767 people responded to the online questionnaire.

You said

The proposal for Dalry Town Centre received 49% opposition and 46% support, whilst 5% of the respondents neither supported nor opposed the proposal.

People who supported the proposals generally noted positivity about the prioritisation of people over cars, stating a desire for Dalry Town centre to be a more attractive and safer place for walking and cycling.

The main reasons for people opposing the proposal were:

• the traffic filter would potentially cause traffic disruption within and outside the project area and negatively affect deliveries to and from the local businesses.
• moving loading and parking to side streets would potentially increase the number of delivery vehicles in residential side streets and reduce the number of parking spaces in an area where parking is already difficult

The engagement results show that people who live in the project area are generally more positive about the proposals than people who live outside the area. The survey also shows that people who generally walk, cycle or use public transport are more positive about the proposals than people who primarily drive.

The proposal to create one-way side streets received a variety of responses.

The main reasons why people supported the proposal were:

• the side roads could be safer and easier to cross
• there could be more space for greenery and seating on street corners

The main reasons why people opposed the proposal were:

• the one-way street layout could put too much pressure on Caledonian Road
• traffic could become blocked in the side streets more easily.

Respondents were also generally positive about the proposal for the area between West End Place and Tynecastle High School with the improved junction and protected cycle lanes. Some people shared concerns about the safety of bus stop bypasses and had questions about the new junction layout. Some would also like to see a wider pavement on the stretch of road beside Dalry Cemetery.

People were generally positive about the proposed changes in front of Dalry Swim Centre, although some were worried about the loss of parking spaces and the potential lack of longer term maintenance.

Next steps

Following your feedback, we intend to:

• Further investigate the impact that a traffic filter at Haymarket would have on local traffic and deliveries, and how this might affect traffic outside the project area.
• Consider the most appropriate start and end point for widened pavements in the Town Centre
• Consider ways to provide more loading bays along the main road and minimise any loss of parking on side streets
• Review the proposed one-way system in the ‘Caledonians and Orwells’
• Make sure that guidance and best practice is followed when it comes to bus stop bypasses, continuous footways and the protected junction

We will consider other issues raised during the consultation as we develop more detailed designs.

We are seeking further project funding to continue with the next stages of design, 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: 
Dalry - Living Well Locally - Concept Design Engagement Report