Views sought on pop-up walking and cycling lanes in Edinburgh

VIEWS are being sought on Edinburgh’s pop-up walking and cycling lanes, which were introduced in the city at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, requiring people to physically distance from each other.

Says The City of Edinburgh Council: “A citywide consultation launches today (2pm, February 22) seeking views on where improvements for walking, cycling and wheeling made during the COVID pandemic should be kept, longer term.

“In line with our wider ambitions to create a green, healthy and well-connected future for the capital, we want to make it as easy as possible for people to get from A to B using sustainable, active modes of transport.

“With these ambitions in mind, we’re asking residents if they’d like to see some of the schemes introduced as part of the Spaces for People programme, or elements of them, retained or removed.

“In response to the COVID pandemic, we’ve been rolling out changes to help residents to travel by foot, bike or wheelchair while physically distancing, as well as providing alternatives to travel by bus while restrictions are in place.

“During lockdown we saw a surge in people walking and cycling, and we want to support that longer term, and the benefits this can bring to the environment, to people’s health and to quality of life.

“Responses to the Spaces for People: Moving Forward consultation will help inform any proposals to keep measures in place, either on a trial basis or more permanently.

“The council’s Transport and Environment Committee will consider the consultation results in April and the relevant statutory procedures would be followed before any schemes were made more permanent.”

Picture: The Mound, Edinburgh. Picture credit: PlaceDesignScotland