Response from Alison Dickie
"
Many thanks for the opportunity to respond via email…indeed, the limited characters on Twitter are a personal challenge! I’m also sorry that I didn’t get the chance to chat to you at the Murrayfield Community Council, but I do recall the passionate case you put forward in regard to the Roseburn to Leith Walk cycle route.
Firstly, as your SNP candidate, I’m committed to active and sustainable travel. I completely understand the importance of encouraging commuters out of their cars in favour of walking and cycling. The health benefits are obvious to me, as is tackling congestion and air pollution. I can also understand how safer routes will encourage more take-up of cycling, and I have often commented on that myself. Personally, I love walking and, during this campaign alone, have covered the length and breadth of Edinburgh Central mainly on foot.
As I’m sure you’re aware, the SNP Government, in their Cycling Action Plan, have committed to a vision of 10% of everyday journeys being undertaken by bike by 2020 – an investment of almost £36 million. From my perspective, I believe that walking also has a key role to play in our promotion of active travel, with over 35% of journeys by Edinburgh residents being made on foot.
My initial thoughts on the Roseburn to Leith Walk cycle route are that, although I very much welcome safer routes to encourage more cyclists, there are some genuine concerns from others to be considered. And, of course, the ideal would be to find a solution that is fair to all.
One of the key concerns appears to be around the consultation as many from the local community feel they were not informed about the proposals until at a very detailed stage. This would be reflected in the lack of representatives attending the consultation workshops. In any consultation, I think it’s important that all local voices are heard from the very outset of a consultation to ensure the best democratic outcome. Given the strength of feeling from local residents and businesses as to the negative impact on their businesses and livelihoods, this level of democracy does not seem to have been achieved on this occasion. It would be remiss of us not to listen to those concerns.
As you are aware, complaints include concerns about the removal of the bus lanes on a busy transport corridor. Public transport also plays a key role in encouraging commuters out of their cars, and the impact of bus lanes is not clear at this point. This particular issue requires further investigation to ascertain the impact. In addition, the realignment of the taxi rank at Haymarket station, which is the city’s only integrated transport hub, requires careful consideration.
In conclusion, I am very supportive of promoting active travel. However I am of the view that what we need to do is to properly consult with the local community, both residents and businesses, working together to design a scheme which will be suitable for all parties involved, while helping to achieve our ambitious goals set out in the Cycle Action Plan for Scotland.
Kind Regards,
Alison
Alison Dickie
SNP Candidate for Edinburgh Central
"
posts
