(Submitted by Allan Jack, NTBCC’s Transport convenor, to Edinburgh Council on 6 July 2019) 

We welcome

• Creation of this integrated strategy, and its objectives

We note that

• The strategy will only succeed if residents and visitors make different transport choices

We believe that

• Having a high proportion of residents in the city centre is a major part of what makes Edinburgh unique and should be valued as a priority

We suggest that

• In developing the various elements, residents’ interests should be given precedence over those of commerce and visitors
• Traffic displacement should not negatively impact the Second and Third New Town
• CEC should take action to protect the Second New Town/Broughton areas from the reduction of parking in the First New Town
• Permit zone boundaries should be reviewed
• CEC should demonstrate how the proposals will not displace air pollution from one area to another
• CEC should commit to prompt transfer of public transport to electric charge
• An effective system for removing commercial waste in the First New Town should be urgently introduced
• Existing areas of first-rate public realm – especially Princes Street Gardens – should be better managed, and protected from unnecessary development
• Management of public realm should be the sole responsibility of CEC and should not be delegated to external bodies
• CEC should develop policies to minimise disruption in the city
• Where CEC has identified over-provision of licensed premises, remedial action should be taken

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