Ambitious public transport proposals to be debated by capital’s councillors

COUNCILLORS in Edinburgh are being asked to back a public transport plan which has, at its heart, a commitment “to building affordable and sustainable homes in safe and social ’20-minute neighbourhoods’ where streets are signed for people, essential services are easily accessible, and public transport and active travel are the best options for moving around”.

The local authority’s transport and environment committee meets on Thursday to debate a 48-page document (here) that includes the ambition to give buses increased priority over cars. There will then follow a presentation to the full council (on February 9), followed by a consultation exercise.

The author of the proposals is the city’s transport convener, Cllr Scott Arthur, who has tweeted (here) on, among other things, pavement parking, parking fines and sitting on the ‘best seat on the bus’.

Yesterday, he tweeted: “My aim – Within 10 years Edinburgh will be one of Europe’s sustainable transport capitals”, on the back of: “If Edinburgh is serious about cutting congestion and hitting net-zero, public transport has to be there to do the heavy lifting.”

Among other proposed measures:

• Consultation on extending bus priority lanes on roads, from 7am to 7pm every day of the week;

• Increasing the number of bus shelters and improving the information provided to travellers; and

• Exploring the potential for a cross-Firth-of-Forth ferry considering commuting and wider tourism opportunities.

Picture credit: Place Design Scotland

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