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We are very sad to hear of Sandy Scotland's death, following illness Here with then Transport Convener @LAHinds & Council Leader @AndrewDBurns
Sandy joined Spokes in 1980s and was pivotal in many projects e.g. pics below Also @CyclingScotland , @SEStran and his beloved @CSMOA_
“
https://twitter.com/spokeslothian/status/1559170875806597120
Sandy will be well known to many here.
Friendly, jovial, knowledgeable and passionate about things including cycle infrastructure and cricket (he was a world travelling umpire).
A lot of the credit for the ‘slightly good’ state of ‘cycling’ in Edinburgh is always - justifiably - given to Spokes and its 45 years of campaigning, events, maps and newsletters.
But behind the scenes MUCH credit has to go to Sandy and his dedicated and dogged trawling of planning applications looking for places where developers failed to take adequate account of the needs of people on foot or bikes.
Some of this, was wilfully money saving, other inadequate designs just due to ignorance of any idea of ‘best practice’ or indeed imagination.
Sandy duly delivered comments and objections on behalf of Spokes.
On one occasion he asked planning officers why they had approved a particular application.
‘Spokes didn’t object so we thought it was OK.’
Sandy had been on holiday.
This great photo (photographer unknown) could well be seen as a tribute or legacy to his volunteer efforts.
Well known to many - including those who have never been on it - the Red Bridge is a truly vital piece of the whole North Edinburgh Path Network experience.
The previous bridge was removed when the road by the awful Crewe Toll roundabout was widened and the West Granton Access road created (removing the Spokes and Sustrans produced Pilton Path).
The bridge now marks the boundaries between Forth and Inverleith wards and is need of a repaint. Nearby vegetation needs trimming to restore sightlines.
Sandy would approve.