CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » General Edinburgh
“Then and now: Gorgie-Dalry shopfronts 1981 and present day”
(4 posts)-
Posted 7 years ago #
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I've recently moved into this area and it's very sad walking along these roads and seeing all the shop front flat conversions on pretty empty looking streets that must have once been thriving.
Contrary to the conclusion of one of the evening news commenters who suggests this is the result on of an 'anti-car policy', it's obviously at least partly because they've become arterial roads, full of cars, buses and lorries but unpleasant to be on as a pedestrian left with narrow pavements.
I want to better understand why we think we need these big roads through city centres.
Posted 7 years ago # -
@DrAfternoon,
Yes, it's actually the pro-car policies of the council, particularly with regard to planning, that have decimated the shops on Gorgie/Dalry.
Everyone now drives to the Gyle or the big sheds, instead of walking to their local shop.
Posted 7 years ago # -
"the result on of an 'anti-car policy' "
More the result of commercial decisions and policies (which may or may not have come first) which led to the dominance of large companies/chains and out-of-town developments.
Whether the continued rise of car ownership (and increased use) was much related to 'I can't park there, so I'll drive there' is perhaps difficult to be definitive about.
In this context it's probably better to equate Gorgie/Dalry to many small town High Streets. Some have free parking some don't.
Depending on proximity to supermarkets (etc.) many are not thriving.
Some places have reinvented themselves (special interest places - book towns etc.) or struggle with (often) large numbers of empty shops.
Conversation to flats will be inevitable in some places. The downside is that sometimes they look less attractive than the empty shop they replaced!
Posted 7 years ago #
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