http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: A Golden Legacy? The Sir Chris Hoy Cycle Highway Network (mostly Leith Walk) en Tue, 09 Jun 2026 09:05:03 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8086&page=3#post-81884 Mon, 20 Aug 2012 13:38:46 +0000 Instography 81884@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>If it's a good motion then it needs to be made impossible for councillors to vote against it. I mean, they need to be led to understand that failure to support it will have electoral consequences.</p> <p>Politicians are motivated by two things: they will support something that solves a problem for them or they will support something because to not do so creates a problem for them. </p> <p>Where's that nice man from the Evening News? Surely the city's newspaper will want to see its most successful Olympian honoured? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8086&page=3#post-81880 Mon, 20 Aug 2012 13:29:44 +0000 chdot 81880@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"visiting the postbox"</p> <p>The Golden one? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8086&page=3#post-81879 Mon, 20 Aug 2012 13:25:21 +0000 Wilmington's Cow 81879@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"<em>Maybe this motion won't get through, but a constant bombardment of letters, protests, and campaigning will eventually get us somewhere! :D</em>"</p> <p>Well said that man.</p> <p>*cut to montage of lionfish pouring over letters, visiting the postbox, sitting waiting for the post to arrive, all to the soundtrack of 'Under Pressure'* </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8086&page=3#post-81876 Mon, 20 Aug 2012 13:17:05 +0000 lionfish 81876@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>cr - thanks for the reality check :/ But I'm going to keep trying anyway... The boost to cycle funding gives me hope that there might be more progress. And a third of the councillors turned up to the bike breakfast! I think there is some hope - especially if we keep up the pressure. Maybe this motion won't get through, but a constant bombardment of letters, protests, and campaigning will eventually get us somewhere! :D </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8086&page=3#post-81865 Mon, 20 Aug 2012 12:33:12 +0000 crowriver 81865@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>A good motion. However I expect the usual party divisions will kill it off, despite the rhetoric about working together, etc. I mean, Jim Orr has already come out against this. Sorry, that's wrong. He's in favour <em>in principle</em>, but in practise he's against. See the distinction? Anyway clearly he represents the administration line on this proposal, so I can't see Lab/SNP voting for the motion... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8086&page=3#post-81861 Mon, 20 Aug 2012 12:18:17 +0000 lionfish 81861@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Wow! Everyone should email their councillors today to get them to support this motion!</p> <p>I've copied it out in full below (hope that's ok?)</p> <p>Thanks for the heads-up.</p> <p><em>10.5 By Councillor Booth – The Sir Chris Hoy Cycle Network: A Golden Legacy for Edinburgh<br /> “Council:<br /> 1) Congratulates Sir Chris Hoy on becoming Britain’s most successful Olympic athlete with six gold medals in addition to his eleven World Championship titles;<br /> 2) Believes that his success will act as an inspiration to would-be Olympians throughout Scotland and the world;<br /> 3) Notes the calls from Spokes, Pedal on Parliament, the Cyclists’ Touring Club and others that in order to honour Sir Chris’ success and build a lasting legacy for cycling, the Sir Chris Hoy cycle network should be developed, which would provide a connected network of segregated on-road cycle lanes; traffic free paths and routes on less-trafficked roads to enable safe and pleasant cycling trips to be made throughout the city and beyond;<br /> 4) Further notes that the top priority for Leithers who participated in the ‘Vision for Leith Walk’ consultation exercise run by Leith Open Space and Greener Leith earlier this year was, “Invest in cycling and walking including separated cycle lanes”;<br /> 5) Agrees that the creation of a city-wide network of safe cycling routes would boost physical activity; help to tackle rising rates of obesity; reduce traffic congestion and cut air pollution and would be a positive lasting legacy for the city;<br /> 6) Agrees that, subject to the successful conclusion of feasibility work and further public consultation, the first new section of the Sir Chris Hoy cycle network could be a segregated cycle route on Leith Walk;<br /> 7) Therefore resolves that by the end of 2012, in consultation with stakeholders, the Council will have set a target for the number of miles of on-road segregated cycle route in the city which are connected to traffic-free paths and routes on less-trafficked roads to form the Sir Chris Hoy cycle network, and that by the start of the next Olympic games in 2016, the city will have met that target, along with an interim target also to be set in consultation with stakeholders before the end of 2012, and which is to be met by the start of the next Commonwealth Games in 2014;<br /> 8) Further resolves to convene a meeting before the end of 2012 and to invite representatives of Spokes, Pedal on Parliament, Cyclists’ Touring Club, Cycling Scotland, Sustrans, Greener Leith and any other relevant stakeholders (this group of stakeholders could be the existing Edinburgh Cycle Forum) to set a target for the number of miles of on-road segregated cycle route in the city which are connected to traffic-free paths and routes on less-trafficked roads, and develop an action plan for delivering the Sir Chris Hoy cycle network;<br /> 9) Further resolves that the delivery of the Sir Chris Hoy cycle route will be monitored by the stakeholder group mentioned in paragraph 8) above and that an annual update on progress will be published in collaboration with that stakeholder group.</em> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8086&page=3#post-81783 Sun, 19 Aug 2012 23:40:49 +0000 chdot 81783@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"CCE ?= Edinburgh Cycle Forum)"</p> <p>Nope, <em>that</em> Cycle Forum is where CEC meets cycling organisations. It's been going for about 15 years. Started by David Begg. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8086&page=2#post-81782 Sun, 19 Aug 2012 23:23:09 +0000 Dave 81782@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>That's solid. (I was also confused by CCE ?= Edinburgh Cycle Forum)</p> <p>Who do we need to lean on to get that adopted? All local councillors? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8086&page=2#post-81754 Sun, 19 Aug 2012 21:02:34 +0000 chdot 81754@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"</p> <p>Meanwhile, Spokes member Cllr Chas Booth has proposed a motion to Edinburgh Council’s 23 August meeting, calling for a Sir Chris Hoy Cycle Network, as a ‘golden legacy for Edinburgh.’</p> <p>"<br /> <a href="http://www.spokes.org.uk/wordpress/2012/08/edinburgh-council-cycle-policy" rel="nofollow">http://www.spokes.org.uk/wordpress/2012/08/edinburgh-council-cycle-policy</a></p> <p>The motion [<a href="http://www.spokes.org.uk/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/120823-CEC-Agenda_23_August_2012.pdf">item 10.5 on the agenda, pdf 60k</a>] echoes several points in our comments above – particularly the need to start working on segregated onstreet provision, and the opportunity provided for this by the forthcoming Leith Walk reconstruction.</p> <p><em><br /> "<br /> subject to the successful conclusion of feasibility work and further public consultation, the first new section of the Sir Chris Hoy cycle network could be a segregated cycle route on Leith Walk</p> <p>"</p> <p>ALSO 10.8</p> <p>"</p> <p>Further resolves to convene a meeting before the end of 2012 and to invite representatives of Spokes, Pedal on Parliament, Cyclists’ Touring Club, Cycling Scotland, Sustrans, Greener Leith and any other relevant stakeholders (this group of stakeholders could be the existing Edinburgh Cycle Forum) to set a target for the number of miles of on-road segregated cycle route in the city which are connected to traffic-free paths and routes on less-trafficked roads, and develop an action plan for delivering the Sir Chris Hoy cycle network;</p> <p>"<br /> </em></p> <p>("Edinburgh Cycle Forum" - not to be confused with CCE!) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8086&page=2#post-81750 Sun, 19 Aug 2012 19:53:04 +0000 chdot 81750@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"<br /> On Leith Walk, we continue to meet with members of the local community to make sure that the £5.5 million improvement programme meets their expectations and we will work with them to reduce disruption as far as possible. </p> <p>"</p> <p><a href="http://andrewburns.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/august-2012-leaders-report.html" rel="nofollow">http://andrewburns.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/august-2012-leaders-report.html</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8086&page=2#post-81282 Tue, 14 Aug 2012 14:25:12 +0000 crowriver 81282@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>You have no idea how funny an abbreviation CR is in Portuguese... ;)</em></p> <p>Thanks for the tip. I'll bear that in mind if I ever join a Brazilian web forum. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8086&page=2#post-81280 Tue, 14 Aug 2012 14:21:37 +0000 crowriver 81280@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>Dedicated cycle lanes are expensive</em></p> <p>Not necessarily. How expensive is a narrow piece of extra kerb, a bit of paint and some signage? If <a href="http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8063">a city in the poorest country in the EU</a> can afford segregated cycle lanes, Edinburgh certainly can. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8086&page=2#post-81279 Tue, 14 Aug 2012 14:17:34 +0000 lionfish 81279@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@Dave: I used your message from him, in my response to him, so I could also respond to the points he raised.<br /> (just sent the email). </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8086&page=2#post-81278 Tue, 14 Aug 2012 13:55:57 +0000 chdot 81278@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"Jim Orr's attitude makes prefect sense to me"</p> <p>Yes, but the problem is that what he says doesn't mesh neatly with what Lesley Hinds says. </p> <p>He's new so finding his way with policy making and saying. It's complicated by the tram history - not least the differing views of the two parties that are now in coalition. </p> <p>It's partly that 'we' (those on this forum with views that may appear to be at odds with what 'the people' want) want something different from what appears to be going to happen. </p> <p>But, MORE IMPORTANT, it <em>appears</em> that CEC is set on an expensive course <em>before</em> it's done the consultation it's promising. </p> <p>It's rather too easy to take the cynical view that 'all the money will get spent' without making much difference. </p> <p>Politicians should be doing more to reassure people that this isn't the case and the consultation matters. </p> <p>Perhaps Mr. Orr is just being more honest. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8086&page=2#post-81277 Tue, 14 Aug 2012 13:41:09 +0000 Wilmington's Cow 81277@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"<em>Oh I'm sure we'd all like to see world peace in principle. Even Miss World thinks so</em>"</p> <p>It hadn't crossed my mind till now that a Miss World wouldn't want world peace. 'Hi, my name's Stacey, and I'm a huge fan of random and indiscriminate state sponsored killing...'</p> <p>"<em>I am sure you are aware...</em>"</p> <p>Indeed.</p> <p>"<em>@WC (unfortunate abbreviation)</em>"</p> <p>You have <em>no</em> idea how funny an abbreviation CR is in Portuguese... ;) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8086&page=2#post-81274 Tue, 14 Aug 2012 13:33:03 +0000 Morningsider 81274@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Jim Orr's attitude makes prefect sense to me, for two reasons:</p> <p>1. As a newbie, he doesn't want to commit himself to anything that might come back and bite him.<br /> 2. All political will for even minor changes to the transport network has evaporated due to the tram fiasco. Far safer to put back what was there before and hope no-one remembers what happened rather than launch a new project on a street already blighted by years of work on an aborted project. From a political viewpoint, segregated cycle lanes will set off alarm bells as "it could all go wrong again!"</p> <p>I'm not saying I support these views - but I can understand them. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8086&page=2#post-81273 Tue, 14 Aug 2012 13:32:21 +0000 crowriver 81273@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@WC (unfortunate abbreviation): Oh I'm sure we'd all like to see world peace <em>in principle</em>. Even Miss World thinks so. When, or how that can be achieved is rather more tricky though.</p> <p>I am sure you are aware that I used these as examples of political priorities which (given the vested interests supporting the status quo) are so difficult to acheive that they are effectively meaningless posturing. Rather like a local politician saying that he would support a local facility <em>in principle</em> while in practice completely rubbishing the idea! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8086&page=2#post-81271 Tue, 14 Aug 2012 13:26:00 +0000 Wilmington's Cow 81271@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>In fairness I'd rank peace in Palestine and nuclear disarmament as higher priority than a bike lane on Leith Walk if it's a case of only being able to have a couple of items on that list. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8086&page=2#post-81269 Tue, 14 Aug 2012 13:23:15 +0000 crowriver 81269@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>To be fair to Jim Orr, he did agree that improvements for cycling (and thus walking) would be nice in principle</em></p> <p>No doubt he supports a peaceful settlement of the conflict in Palestine, global nuclear disarmament, and high speed rail from Edinburgh to London.</p> <p>Maybe we'll have to wait until he's got those pressing isues sorted before he gets around to arranging segregated cycle lanes on Leith Walk. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8086&page=2#post-81267 Tue, 14 Aug 2012 13:14:22 +0000 Kim 81267@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Oddly the only time I have met Jim Orr was last week on Leith Walk when he had cycled down to canvass the opinions of cyclist. I must admit I find his attitude to all this rather confusing, especially as he was elected by somewhat narrow majority. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8086&page=2#post-81262 Tue, 14 Aug 2012 12:58:29 +0000 Dave 81262@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I hadn't read this before (a bit stale, but highly relevant): <a href="http://www.scotsman.com/edinburgh-evening-news/opinion/giving-new-leith-of-life-to-famous-thoroughfare-1-2441795" rel="nofollow">http://www.scotsman.com/edinburgh-evening-news/opinion/giving-new-leith-of-life-to-famous-thoroughfare-1-2441795</a></p> <p>It's interesting to compare Lesley Hinds' statement from the above: <em>"worked hard to identify extra funding so that we are not just patching up problems... provide the kind of improvements that will breathe new life into the area and create a fantastic boulevard... will base our plans around what [locals] want for the future of Leith Walk"</em> with Jim Orr's admission that we're basically getting a return to the shabby pre-tram road layout which <em>"has already been announced and which is planned."</em></p> <p>It's morbidly depressing. To be fair to Jim Orr, he did agree that improvements for cycling (and thus walking) would be nice in principle, so perhaps he's just not able to admit that something else is tying his/their hands. </p> <p>He's in our ward (and not with the biggest majority) so who knows, perhaps we can apply some cycling block votes in that direction at the next council election... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8086&page=2#post-81255 Tue, 14 Aug 2012 12:42:34 +0000 chdot 81255@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"Shoppers turn their backs on ‘dirtiest street in Scotland’ "</p> <p>(Leith Walk!)</p> <p><a href="http://www.scotsman.com/edinburgh-evening-news/shoppers-turn-their-backs-on-dirtiest-street-in-scotland-1-2466461" rel="nofollow">http://www.scotsman.com/edinburgh-evening-news/shoppers-turn-their-backs-on-dirtiest-street-in-scotland-1-2466461</a></p> <p>"Economic development leader Tom Buchanan said: “We are investing in Leith Walk and recently announced a £5.5 million improvement fund that will help to restore it to its former glory."</p> <p>Useful sound bite "former glory", but in this context somewhat questionable.</p> <p>I expect there will be those who think the glory ended when Leith became part of Edinburgh. Perhaps they would be right. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8086&page=2#post-81243 Tue, 14 Aug 2012 11:49:31 +0000 Min 81243@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Dave - The reply from Jim Orr there reminds me very strongly of the reasons given by the wizards in the Terry Prachett novels about why women were not allowed in the university. They would go quiet and mutter something about the plumbing but Rincewind secretly suspected the real reason is because the women would be too good at it.</p> <p>Why are politicians so frightened of something that might be a success? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8086&page=2#post-81235 Tue, 14 Aug 2012 11:20:01 +0000 chdot 81235@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"Is there still time to officially respond to the consultation?"</p> <p>There was a mini CEC consultation -</p> <p><a href="http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7633" rel="nofollow">http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7633</a></p> <p>and some development -</p> <p><a href="http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7945" rel="nofollow">http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7945</a></p> <p>There is still due to be 'proper' consultation, but already a lot of the money seems to have been committed to fixing what shouldn't have been broken in the first place - 'tram utility works' which weren't done properly (whether they should have been done at all is another matter....) BUT <em>don't seem to be being re-done at contractor's expense</em>!</p> <p>So there is a degree of confusion about how much is already going to be done, how much money will be left and how much notice will be taken of any consultation.</p> <p>There are also differing political opinions between individual councillors.</p> <p>SO 'all to play for' - doesn't really matter where you live, this affects Edinburgh - and <em>could</em> have a big difference for how things are done elsewhere in future. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8086&page=2#post-81234 Tue, 14 Aug 2012 11:08:12 +0000 crowriver 81234@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Is there still time to officially respond to the consultation? Playing catch up here having been away most of the last month. I live in the Leith Walk constituency and cross or use the street almost daily... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8086&page=2#post-81219 Tue, 14 Aug 2012 10:14:07 +0000 fimm 81219@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I don't know where I came across the link from, but this is a very interesting blog post from London:<br /> <a href="http://www.voleospeed.co.uk/2011/06/understanding-walking-and-cycling-deja.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.voleospeed.co.uk/2011/06/understanding-walking-and-cycling-deja.html</a></p> <p>Is it worth those of us who live on the other side of the city and don't use Leith Walk (except in a bus) getting involved? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8086&page=2#post-81199 Tue, 14 Aug 2012 07:27:17 +0000 ExcitableBoy 81199@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Dave, nice reply. Unfortunately I totally agree with your final paragraph. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8086&page=2#post-81198 Tue, 14 Aug 2012 01:10:26 +0000 Dave 81198@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Sorry for the epic length. (The bold bits are quotes from Jim Orr's earier reply to me on why we aren't getting any significant improvement to Leith Walk.)</p> <p><blockquote><em>Dear Jim,</p> <p>Thanks for your response which raises several interesting points; I've also been away this last week so only just got the chance to reply.</p> <p>I'm pleased that you agree in principal with the idea of a segregated cycle facility; to respond to your three challenges:<br /> <strong><br /> 1. Dedicated cycle lanes are expensive and exceed the budget which we have available to repair these streets.</strong></p> <p>What options for segregated cycle facilities have been costed by the council and how far do they exceed the overall budget? (I assume they have been costed, since you know they're too expensive?)</p> <p>For instance, a basic option would be to not reinstate the central reservation after resurfacing (a saving) and extend the kerb line on the uphill side of the street by several meters. Designs are available 'off the shelf', and although I appreciate I'm no planner, it's hard to see how changing the proportion of road / pavement when the whole thing is being dug up anyway represents a crippling expense.</p> <p>You'll note that the link provided in my original email (<a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/101067461/Cycling-Edinburgh-Tram" rel="nofollow">http://www.scribd.com/doc/101067461/Cycling-Edinburgh-Tram</a>) even contains many design options which still allow for the hypothetical future construction of the tram.</p> <p>Surely the council is capable of following the example of the growing number of cities which are becoming quite accustomed to building segregated infrastructure to tight budgets? Or is it just intransigence from officials that's blocking this - have they done any costing work at all? </p> <p><strong>2. The necessary consultation for dedicated cycle lanes would delay by many many months the urgent repair work to the roads and pavements which has already been announced and which is planned.</strong></p> <p>As the tram was cancelled in June 2011 it's hard to be too sympathetic to the plea that there isn't enough time to spend the money wisely, rather than blindly reinstate what was always acknowledged to be a dysfunctional road layout... although I appreciate you haven't been in office for that long, why the rush job? </p> <p>More importantly, what was the point in the recent consultation if the truth is that we're committed to a mediocre outcome regardless of public opinion? </p> <p><strong>3. Such lanes were never part of the (widely praised) active travel action plan. Our priority is to implement this plan.</strong></p> <p>I find it surprising to hear that we can't make significant improvements to Leith Walk simply because it's not within scope of the ATAP. </p> <p>Unless the ATAP has been updated to take into consideration the cancellation of the tram line and the substantial increase in cycle funding by the previous administration, I don't really see how anyone could argue that we should ignore this opportunity on that basis. Surely it's even easier to justify active travel improvements to Leith Walk when it's all being dug up anyway? Wouldn't you be pushing on an open door?</p> <p>Regarding your comment on the bus lanes - last time I checked, they offer no protection at all on either Picardy Place or London Road roundabouts which are the main barrier to passage up and down Leith Walk. Personally I find it agreeable enough to ride in the bus lanes otherwise, but there's no way I'd recommend anyone in the area without extensive experience to consider travelling by bike. These could be addressed easily enough as part of a reconstruction (I can provide some suggestions if necessary!)</p> <p>I think we can all agree it's unrealistic to expect people to take extensive detours down side-streets (or even more enormous detours to the Water of Leith, which just leads you to tangle with grim traffic conditions around Canonmills or Queen St / the Mound)</p> <p>Is it going to take a mass 'Pedal on Leith Walk' to get a change in attitude? Could be fun in rush hour I suppose (for a certain value of 'fun') if large enough numbers were willing to turn out.</p> <p>Given the perception of an open goal, this really is going to be taken as a litmus test of the administration's commitment to cycle provision and I have to say I'm not filled with confidence that things will turn out as we all might hope.</p> <p>Thanks again for your response,</p> <p>Kind regards, etc.</em></blockquote> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8086&page=2#post-81186 Mon, 13 Aug 2012 22:25:37 +0000 Kim 81186@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The message from Andrew Burns that I got last night was that Leith Walk is far from a done deal, there is still all to play for. Even if Jim Orr was spinning the line that it wasn't in the Active Travel Plan and therefore wasn't going to happen, but then Jim is a new boy (elected with a wafer thin majority at the last election), so he is still to find that what the vocal voters want actually matters. </p> <p>There is a real and growing ground swell of opinion that the Active Travel Plan is not good enough and we can do better.</p> <p>We have possibly a once in a generation chance to do something special with Leith Walk. Lets not miss out on it and really go for good quality infrastructure. Now is the time to start <a href="http://www.writetothem.com/">lobbying your elected representatives</a>. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8086&page=2#post-81176 Mon, 13 Aug 2012 20:51:32 +0000 chdot 81176@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"<br /> Also, and it pains me to say it - while large numbers of people may be interested in better cycling provision, they only represent a small minority of voters.</p> <p>"</p> <p>As far as it goes that is <em>true</em>. </p> <p>A problem with 'cycle campaigners' is that they think about 'cycling' and the people who do and '<em>all those who would cycle if they felt safe</em>'. </p> <p>There are <em>more</em> people who want safer streets to walk across, quieter neighbourhoods etc. - a 'more vibrant' Leith Walk even. </p> <p>Somehow officials seldom seem to notice this fairly silent (perhaps) majority. </p> <p>A bigger problem (I'm not discounting the truths Morningsider says about budgets and party machines) is that too many politicians are now not prepared to actually show much leadership. </p> <p>They seem stuck with the mentality that in the UK/Scotland/Edinburgh cars/parking/speeds etc. are normal/inevitable/desirable - and what the voters want. </p> <p>That's what makes the <a href="http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7945">Leith Walk 'redevelopment' plans</a> a bit depressing. There seems to some evidence that there's local support for something a bit more adventurous than 'more of the same' - with a smoother surface. </p>