Abridged email from ‘Spaces for People’ (received at 4:00pm on Friday 5th June)  – previously communicated to key stakeholders including local Ward Councillors – then copied to the New Town & Broughton Community Council and the Old Town Community Council.

Covid-19 Cycling and Walking Emergency Response Measures

Proposed Bus, Cycle and Taxi gate and Footway widening at junctions on North Bridge

Dear Stakeholders,

‘We are proposing to improve pedestrian routes on North Bridge, by widening the existing narrow footways, reducing traffic movements and aiding cycling and public transport provision as part of overall emergency measures to re-designate key parts of the road network to help pedestrians and cyclists travel safely while meeting physical distancing requirements.  Such measures are required urgently to help prevent people from becoming ill or coming to harm by infection from COVID-19 whilst implementing physical distancing requirements.

Footway widening is being carried out only at the junctions with Princes Street and High Street due to the existing structural works being carried out on North Bridge.  Loading will be available on North Bridge from 6pm to 7.30am although these times may be subject to change. Additional proposals for South Bridge and surrounding areas will be provided later.

Advance warning signs for the bus, cycle and taxi gate will be installed at Leith Walk, Leith Street, York Place and Picardy Place.’

‘Spaces for People Team’

These measures,  in common with others on East Princes Street / South St David Street (as previously posted) and Waverley Bridge will be implemented using a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order.

Again, we are advised that normal expectations about community consultations cannot be fulfilled. However, if you should want to raise any issues, please get in touch using the Contact Us option on our website. This will also be discussed at the next NTBCC meeting on Monday 8th June.

Please note that the deadline for submitting comments to the ‘Spaces for People’ team is 5:00pm on Wednesday 10th June 2020.

If the proposal is agreed for implementation, ‘Spaces for People’ advise that formal publicity will then be undertaken so that local people are aware of the changes. They also have a dedicated inbox to help manage any feedback around proposals – spacesforpeople@edinburgh.gov.uk

The proposed design for the scheme covering North Bridge can be viewed here.