April 2024 news from Councillor Neil Ross

Greenbank/Meadows Quiet Route

The Council has decided to make changes to the Greenbank/Meadows cycle route by removing three modal filters from the Braid Estate and introducing segregated cycle lanes on Braid Avenue and Hermitage Drive plus a new modal filter on Clinton Road. A slightly revised version of the Braid Estate option 3 was approved. This removes parking from both sides of Hermitage Drive, between Braid Road and Braid Avenue, and from part of one side of Braid Avenue. A decision is still to be made on the materials which will define the cycle lane. Implementation is expected over the summer. Lib Dem councillors voted for safe, segregated cycle lanes as this was the clearly expressed view of local residents. A further six-month consultation will follow to gather the views of residents on the changes. Further details plus graphics are available on my blog page.

Braidburn Terrace/Braid Road/Comiston Road

Following completion of works on the Braidburn Terrace project, I have received lots of feedback from residents. I therefore met with the Council’s project manager onsite to discuss the location of planters and improved signage to address pedestrian/cyclist conflicts on the shared space outside Greenbank Church and Pre-school, removal of unnecessary signage on Braid Crescent and concerns about operational issues at the Braid Road/Hermitage Drive junction. Although there are no right turn filters at the Greenbank Crossroads lights, extra time has been allowed in the lights sequence for traffic turning right to clear. The plans can be viewed here.

Update on public toilets for the Meadows

New public toilets are expected to be installed in the Meadows for the summer holidays, funded by the current year’s Lib Dem budget. To ensure no gap in provision, Lib Dem councillors have secured additional funding so that temporary facilities will be provided until the new ones are ready. The budget reports and proposals can be found here.

Problems with new Street Bins

Lib Dem councillors have raised questions about the design of new communal street bins. The hatch lids often become detached, prompting a call for a new online button to report a broken lid. Given there is no pedal, some residents find the lid too heavy to lift at the same time as placing waste in the bin. If you experience problems with the new bins, please let me know.

Comiston Road Cycle Lane Safety

Local residents have told me about safety concerns with the layout of the Comiston Springs Avenue junction and also the interaction between cyclists speeding down the hill towards this junction and pedestrians accessing parked cars. As a result, the Council has decided to replace the temporary bollards at the Comiston Springs Avenue junction with permanent materials and to lay coloured, high friction surfacing on the cycle lane approaching this junction. Changes may also be made at the Braid Hills Road junction to improve safety for cyclists. The report is available as item 7.2 here.

Parking Permits for Carers

A call by Lib Dem councillors in 2020 to issue parking permits to carers has finally been answered. The Council has agreed to allow professional and personal carers to apply for parking permits to reduce the costs of parking for their caring duties. Permits for professional carers can be used at multiple locations throughout the day. Permits for personal carers, who are in receipt of DWP Carers’ Allowance or Carers’ Credit, will operate like a resident parking permit with a similar cost. A traffic regulation order is required to introduce the new permits. The report is available as item 7.2 here.

The Council wants to hear from you

The Council is running consultations on the Old and New Town World Heritage Sites and, from 2 April, on Budget Priorities. Details can be found on the Consultation Hub.