Public engagement on low traffic neighbourhood proposals

Leith Connections will create a safer and more comfortable street environment for residents and visitors walking, cycling, wheeling and spending time in the local streets and outdoor spaces of Leith. The project will build upon the City of Edinburgh Council’s current cycling and walking projects, our Active Travel Action Plan, the QuietRoute network and also the cycle and walking improvements that are part of the Trams to Newhaven project.

We have previously asked for public and business views on the conditions for traveling in the area and safety of streets and we are keen to hear your views on the proposals we are now presenting. After you have reviewed our proposals below please see the Give us your feedback section on how to input to the design process.

As part of this second phase of engagement we will be holding co-design type workshops with the public so that design team can closely explore design details in greater depth with the community.

These workshop dates will be confirmed shortly. Details of how to sign up for these will appear on the  Consultation Hub .

If you or someone you know are unable to view our proposals and would like an alternative version please see details in the Give us your feedback section.

The Leith Connections project comprises two main phases:

1. Development of a high quality segregated cycle route between the Foot of the Walk and Ocean Terminal
2. A Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) to create streets that are safer for walking, cycling, wheeling and spending time by ensuring lower traffic conditions across the area

The project area is shown below with the Phase 1 cycle route shown and the proposed LTN area which is bounded by the main roads of Salamander Street, Commercial Street, North and Great Junction Street, Duke Street and the roads to the south of Leith Links.

Between 8th February and 5th March 2021 we undertook a community engagement exercise to seek public, business and stakeholder views on route proposals that we have developed to date.

We also asked for your views on existing conditions in the project area for travelling locally and perceptions of safety in the streets. This information, together with traffic counts, traffic modelling data and known issues in the area was used to inform the currently proposed concept designs for a low traffic neighbourhood in the Leith area.

Full information provided in the previous community engagement including concept design proposals for the cycle route between Foot of the Walk and Ocean Terminal can be viewed on the Council’s  Consultation Hub .

This strategic active travel route in Leith will link the Foot of the Walk to Ocean Terminal and will complement the adjacent Trams to Newhaven project. The two phases of the Leith Connections project are linked and a number of traffic changes associated with the cycle route are proposed to be implemented alongside the LTN.

Below are visualisations of how Great Junction Street and Sandport Place Bridge could look with the high-quality active travel route improvements. Further designs and traffic orders for this phase of the project will be published in the coming months.

Low traffic neighbourhoods aim to create a safer and more comfortable street environment for residents walking, cycling, wheeling and spending time in the local streets and outdoor spaces. This is achieved primarily by reducing the volume and speed of traffic and improving accessibility for local people to walk, wheel, cycle and spend time outdoors in their community.

The proposals are closely linked with the above active travel route between the Foot of the Walk and Ocean Terminal. We received positive public feedback on these designs in February/ March this year as discussed in the Community feedback section.

Some aspects of the cycle route proposals are vital for the creation of the proposed LTN such as vehicle movement restrictions at Shore, Sandport Bridge, Coburg Street, Yardheads and Parliament Street. Since they form part of the permanent route they are to be taken forward under permanent traffic regulation orders (TRO), rather than the trial experimental traffic regulation order (ETRO) as with other measures to form the LTN. If, following public consultations later in the year, they are approved then the TRO for these changes would be implemented at the same time as the other trial measures.

We undertook a community engagement between 8th February and 5th March 2021 for both phases of the project. We received over 800 responses to our survey from individuals, businesses and organisations. In addition, we met with community groups and received a number of individual responses during the engagement period.

Full details on the community engagement exercises for both phases of the project are available in the  Leith Connections Engagement Reports  on the Council's Consultation Hub.

Due to the interactions between the two phases of the project there are some measures which, though part of the permanent active travel route, must be implemented at the same time as the trial LTN in order for the area to function properly and allow the full impacts to be monitored.

As these measures are already part of an agreed concept design that has been through public engagement and is now under detailed design, it is not appropriate for them to be taken them forward under an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) for trial implementation. Instead we are planning to implement them under permanent Traffic Regulations Order which, if approved by Committee, would come into force at the same time as the LTN.

We are therefore not seeking further feedback on the traffic restrictions resulting from these measures. We do have some survey questions around the placemaking ideas which could be implemented in the spaces created by implementing the changes in the street design. 

See Frequently Asked Questions section for further details on why we are using permanent Traffic Regulation Orders and trial Experimental Traffic Regulation Orders.

• Respondents were asked for their level of support for the closure of Sandport Bridge to through traffic to provide more space for people walking, wheeling and cycling.
• Of the 802 respondents to this question, 53% ‘Strongly support’, 10% ‘Support’ and 8% ‘Neither support or oppose’ the closure of Sandport Place Bridge to through traffic. 7% were found to ‘Oppose’ and 23% were found to ‘Strongly oppose’ the closure to through traffic. 

• Respondents were asked for their level of support for a two-way bus gate (and removal of general traffic) on the Shore to improve conditions for people walking, wheeling and cycling and enjoying the area.
• Of the 798 respondents to this question, 52% ‘Strongly support’, 13% ‘Support’ and 10% ‘Neither support or oppose’ the proposed two-way bus gate on The Shore. 8% were found to ‘Oppose’ and 18% were found to ‘Strongly oppose’ the bus gate. 

• Respondents were asked for their level of support for the closure of Coburg Street from the western end to provide safer conditions for people walking, cycling and wheeling and improving access to the Water of Leith walkway.
• Of the 794 respondents for this question, 49% ‘Strongly support’, 11% ‘Support’ and 11% ‘Neither support or oppose’ the restricting of vehicular access from the western end of Coburg Street. 11% were found to ‘Oppose’ and 18% were found to ‘Strongly oppose’ the restrictions on the western end of Coburg Street.

• Respondents were asked for their level of support for restricting access to motor vehicles on Yardheads and Parliament Street at their junctions with Henderson Street.
• Of the 797 respondents for this question, 44% ‘Strongly support’, 14% ‘Support’ and 15% ‘Neither support or oppose’ restricting access to Yardheads and Parliament Street. 9% were found to ‘Oppose’ and 19% were found to ‘Strongly oppose’ the proposed access restrictions.

The measures are proposed, subject to committee approval, to be implemented towards the end of 2021 as a trial under an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) for up to 18 months. Alongside these, the measures that remove through traffic within the Phase 1 route design are also proposed to be implemented under Traffic Regulation Orders (TRO).

The map shows the LTN measures proposed to tackle the issues that have been highlighted from traffic data, known concerns and the recent community engagement in the project area.

We are proposing to create mini-parks where some streets are being shut to through traffic and opened up to people as part of the low traffic neighbourhood. This exciting opportunity means we can trial installing these mini-parks, creating new greenery with seating and space for children to play, as well as being a safe place to meet friends or neighbours away from traffic.

We will be working alongside local groups and residents to ensure these spaces are fit for purpose and are well looked after so they become much loved community assets. The plan is for the mini-parks to be temporary in nature and design so that if changes need to be made they can be easily adapted and should the measures be installed permanently there could be further community led development of these in the future.

A monitoring programme will be undertaken during the trial and changes can be made during the trial and prior to implementation of any future permanent scheme. During the trial, further community engagement will be undertaken to understand local views on its operation.

An engagement programme and online survey is now live from 4th June to 11th July 2021 to gather public and business feedback on the proposals. Full details on how to respond are provided in the Give us your feedback section below.

Please view our interactive map of the proposals, click on each location for further information, photos and drawings.

The proposed LTN measures are to be implemented as a trial under an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) from the end of 2021 for up to 18 months. A monitoring programme will be undertaken during the trial and this will be used to assess the effectiveness of the measures and inform any consideration of any alterations to the layout during the trial and any subsequent permanent TRO which may result.

The aim of the LTN is to reduce through traffic on residential streets in the project area whilst maintaining local access. Some routes and access points using motor vehicles on certain streets will change; however, all streets are still accessible for local residents, deliveries, loading and emergency services. 

Route options for general traffic in the area are highlighted on the map as well as local access points to streets with where restrictions are proposed.

From our first round of public engagement on the LTN (and also feedback to the temporary Spaces for People closure to motor vehicle traffic of Links Gardens since May 2020) we are aware that the volumes of traffic in the Leith Links area is a concern, particularly given the presence of the primary schools here. This is something that we want to address through the LTN.

In working closely with the Trams to Newhaven team it is also apparent that between summer 2021 and summer 2022 the traffic disruption at the Foot of the Walk, due to traffic management associated with construction in this area could cause severe issues for the road network if Links Gardens and/ or John's Place were closed to through traffic.

In particular, during the Foot of the Walk construction period there may be impact on bus services throughout the area. Given this we are not initially planning trial closures to motor vehicles on these two streets as part of the LTN layout, subject to consideration by Council committee of the Links Garden motor traffic closure.

We will be closely monitoring traffic levels on these streets and keeping them under consideration for potential changes, either at a later stage in the trial, or as part of the final permanent low traffic neighbourhood.

We are proposing changes at Wellington Place and John's Place to remove through traffic from Academy Street and Wellington Place and should Links Gardens re-open we would propose to restrict access to Links Place westbound to reduce the amount of traffic which might affect the schools and Quiet Route 10 across the north of the Links.

We will be undertaking engagement with parent councils and schools to understand if other measures can be put in to mitigate impacts and further improve conditions.

How can I comment on the proposals?

Please fill out our survey in the Give us your feedback section below. We are also holding public co-design workshops during the engagement period.

We are speaking with a large number of individuals and organisations including those in the following list. If you think there is anyone else that we should consult, please contact us.

• Local residents

• Council Ward Elected Members

• Emergency services

• Local schools

• Lothian Buses

• Local businesses

• Religious institutions

• Representatives of taxi companies

• Representatives of motorcyclist groups

• Local resident groups

• Local disability groups

There will also be an opportunity to object through the statutory process for the traffic regulation orders which will be required to introduce these measures.

What is a Traffic Regulation Order and an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order?

Many changes to the operation or layout of a road require a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) to regulate or control matters such as parking, loading and unloading, banned turns etc. TROs are the legal mechanism used to introduce these changes. The legal power to promote TROs comes from the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, while TROs are consulted upon and advertised in accordance with The Local Authorities' Traffic Orders (Procedure) (Scotland) Regulations 1999. 

An Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) allows a trial of measures to see if the impacts and benefits of a scheme are as expected prior to permanent implementation. An ETRO follows exactly the same process as a TRO, requiring statutory consultation, a formal public advert and for any objections to be considered by the Council. An ETRO can only operate for a maximum period of 18 months, after which the changes involved must be removed, unless the ETRO has been replaced by a TRO or another ETRO. This will give us time to monitor the impacts and seek community feedback of the measures introduced by ETRO prior to introduction of any permanent scheme.

Is the scheme anti-car use?

Edinburgh’s strategy for transport, of which introducing new low traffic neighbourhoods is one part, is not about stopping all car use. Our strategies aim to provide street conditions where many more trips can be made by walking, cycling, wheeling and public transport, so that far fewer trips need to be made in cars. Right now the feedback we receive is that  many people feel the streets are not safe enough to cycle on, largely due to volumes and speeds of traffic .

Alongside this, a large proportion of short journeys in Edinburgh are by car. We know this level of car use is not sustainable and is counter to our goals on air quality, carbon reduction and creating people friendly streets.

We also recognise that for some journeys the car may be the only viable option. LTNs aim to ensure that the streets in the area are quiet and safe enough that all people who are able to walk, cycle and wheel feel that they can. By enabling more trips by walking, cycling and wheeling, this in turn can reduce pressure on the road network so the people who have to make journeys by car are able to do so more easily. 

What monitoring will be done?

The Council will monitor and review the impact of the measures at regular intervals and based on this will consider any other measures that may need to be implemented. The results of the monitoring will be shared via the Council’s website.

Are these measures the same as the Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ)?

These proposals are separate to but are being produced alongside the CPZ.

What about buses in the area?

There have been changes to bus services during the Trams to Newhaven construction works and details of the future bus routes are not yet available. No measures installed as part of the LTN layout will prohibit development of future bus routes.

What is a bus gate?

A bus gate is a signed and marked point on the carriageway that unauthorised general traffic cannot pass but allows buses to continue so bus routes are unaffected. With less general traffic on the stretch of road, crossing of the road by pedestrians and the passage of cyclists through the area is safer and easier.

There would be exemptions for cycles, taxis (black cab) and servicing/loading provision for business would be included, potentially via timed access. We have held preliminary discussions with a number of businesses in the area to design times that would suit. Residents who would otherwise not be able to access their property would also be exempt (although that would be taken into account in terms of designing and positioning of any bus gates). Emergency vehicles would also be unaffected.

Bus gates can be enforced by camera, allowing fines to be issued to any unauthorised vehicle that pass the marked points, there is an existing camera for the current north bound bus gate at the Shore.

What will the road closure points look like?

We will be creating temporary placemaking areas at a number of the closure points to add to the vibrancy of the streets and create new community spaces. We will look to use materials such as planters, benches and cycle parking and reduce the visual impact of temporary signage. However, given the ETRO that some of the measures will be implemented under, some mandatory traffic management signage will be required.

Can number plate recognition be used to allow resident access through closure points?

Whilst cameras can be used to enforce a bus gate (see FAQ on bus gates), within current legislation they cannot currently be used to enforce a modal filter/ street motor vehicle prohibition like the ones being proposed within the LTN.

Are the engagement materials and plans accessible to all?

We have endeavoured to present the plans in as an accessible format as possible.

Printed or alternative format copies can be made available, please see the Give us your feedback section below.

How will the project affect persons with disabilities?

Anyone who cannot walk, wheel or cycle still has the choice to use a private car, taxi or public transport. As there will be less vehicles on the road it may also be easier for these people to use their cars. The proposal has broad support from the Edinburgh Access Panel.

Data shows that people with disabilities are more likely  to be injured by a motor vehicle than able bodied persons . Therefore, by reducing vehicle numbers and speeds we are seeking to ensure all members of the community can travel in a safer manner around our streets. Private car access for all addresses will be maintained. Should you be a person with disability who relies on a private car or taxi service your journey there may be occasions where you are required to take a different route. We are consulting with local groups, including the Edinburgh Access Panel and individual residents to ensure access for disabled residents is not impacted by the scheme. Please feedback through the survey if you have specific concerns. We have undertaken an Integrated Impact Assessment which will be updated and finalised as plans are confirmed. 

Will the scheme negatively impact access to local shops and businesses?

Access to all premises including shops and businesses will be maintained, but journeys in vehicles by shoppers, staff or deliveries may require you to take a different route. There is a vast body of research that shows that walking and cycling is good for local high streets as people who walk and cycle visit their high streets more often as journeys can be made without having to think about parking or traffic. Improvements to our public spaces have also been shown to increase retail sales as people who walk to the high street tend to visit more shops and stay longer. For those who cannot walk or cycle to their local shops it will still be possible to travel to every location within the area by car, however the route may be different than currently used.  

Will the scheme mean I have to drive a lot further?

One of the aims of the scheme is to enable residents to be able to travel in many different ways, by making streets safe and accessible for all forms of transport, not just private motor vehicles. At the same time we must ensure that those who need to use their cars are still able to for medical/ disability reasons or those essential car journeys that people need to make. At times with the new road layouts, journeys may be longer by motor vehicle, or you may need to take a less convenient route. However, by making it possible for more people to be able to walk, wheel and cycle safely less people should feel they need to use a car, particularly for shorter trips. This in turn will mean that roads will be less busy and those people that have no choiuce but to use a car can do so more easily.

This will make the area more liveable for everyone, and also benefit those that need to make an essential car journey.

The scheme will retain access for deliveries, refuse collection and emergency services.

Won’t people will need to do u-turns which will be dangerous and cause gridlock?

With all changes to road layouts/access it is inevitable that there be a period of adjustment for some road users as people discover the new layouts for the first time and adjust their journeys accordingly. We are confident from what has been demonstrated in LTNs elsewhere in the UK that once people are used to the road layout, traffic volumes can be reduced  leading to safer, more pleasant streets and community spaces. 

Will the scheme mean traffic is shifted on to other streets?

In the short term there may be a slight increase in displaced traffic to other roads and the Council will be monitoring this and taking appropriate actions to minimise this. The scheme is fully in line with the  Council’s policies to prioritise active travel and public transport  whilst trying to reduce the number of private car trips, which are a key source of congestion and pollution.

 Evidence from similar schemes  shows that LTNs do not simply shift traffic from one place to another. Instead,  we see an overall reduction in the numbers of motor vehicles on roads , as people reduce the number of car journeys they make, take different routes, and replace some vehicle journeys with walking, cycling or public transport. This is known as ‘traffic evaporation’ and has been observed in various road schemes around the world. 

Do LTNs make air pollution worse?

The Council is prioritising measures to help people walk, wheel, cycle and use public transport over private cars as a key way to reduce air pollution.  Evidence from LTNs in other parts of the country  has shown that, over time, the number of households exposed to illegal levels of pollutants has been significantly reduced. 

Will the changes restrict access for the emergency services, waste services, trades vehicles etc?

The Emergency Services have been consulted from the early stages of the project and final layouts will be discussed with them including through the statutory processes. Where access changes, road widths will still be sufficient to allow large vehicles to manoeuvre.

Monitoring of similar schemes has also shown that response times for emergency services actually decrease with LTNs because less traffic means they can reach their destinations faster.

Will you be improving footway conditions and potholes in the streets?

There is an ongoing Council maintenance programme that maintains footway and road conditions. The ETRO phase of the project will not be able to address additional locations at this stage. Along the route of the Foot of the Walk to Ocean Terminal, we will be looking to improve footway conditions and make complementary pedestrian improvements. 

This current stage of engagement reports on previous findings and is seeking to gather feedback on the low traffic neighbourhood design proposals as set out above. The engagement is open from 4th June to 11th July 2021.

Phase 1 Foot of the Walk to Ocean Terminal route designs are progressing and further designs and traffic orders will be published in the coming months.

Following your feedback on the low traffic neighbourhood proposals, final designs will be updated and reported to the Council’s Transport and Environment Committee (TEC) in August 2021. Subject to approval from TEC, public consultation on the Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) through the required statutory process will take place in September-October for creating the orders.

The initial implementation of the scheme will be in the form of an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order expected late 2021. This has the benefit of offering a trial of the solutions which can be adjusted depending on success.

Please see full timeline, click on the image to show larger version.

Please follow the link below to the online survey for the Leith Connections LTN proposals to give us your views:

This stage of public engagement ran from 4th June to 11th July 2021 and is now closed.

We will be holding public co-design workshops on the proposals, workshop dates will be confirmed shortly. Details of how to sign up for these will appear on the  Consultation Hub .

If you cannot access the online survey, you can request a paper, audio, Braille or Large Print version by contacting the project team via the email or phone details provided below:

• email the project lead: miles.wilkinson@edinburgh.gov.uk

• call 0131 322 1122

Or write to:

FREEPOST RTRS-YLCY-EAEA

Community Engagement: Leith Connections

Clocktower

Unit 1 Flassches Yard

South Gyle Crescent

Edinburgh

EH12 9LB

Leaflets will be delivered to all households and businesses within the project area to notify them of the engagement as well as a press release and associated social media campaign. We will also be meeting with the project Community Reference Group and talking to local businesses.