The ideas keep coming in

Ideas continue to come in from members of the Edinburgh public who came to the consultation I set up in January. Here are some short extracts from a lengthy list of ideas in an email from one person

"Dear Lesley,

I was impressed with your transport consultation and support your view that policy should be driven by consensus"

Cycling and Walking

Provide more cycle routes, including formal use of quiet streets. More signage to help less experienced and leisure cyclists, to increase cycle use. More information needs to be provided because many people are not aware of routes, distances, times and parking facilities.

Sharing of footways between cyclists and walkers is acceptable in the right locations – starting with footways that have low pedestrian flows.

Income for transport development

Yes to road user charging on a national basis. A congestion charge could apply to Edinburgh city centre – do not be greedy initially. Trial a scheme like Stockholm? [Where the scheme was introduced with the promise that a referendum would be held on whether to keep it after some years in operation – LH]

Parking

New Park & Ride sites are needed – on all main routes into the City. Maybury, Barnton, Gilmerton, Lasswade, A1.

Simplify parking by having fewer parking rates. More electronic information including advice on availability of on-street spaces.

Car Clubs

Expand these and provide more information and more incentives to sign up to them.

Motorcycling

Can replace a car and they take less space so seek to encourage use.

Expand parking facilities for motorbikes and allow them to use bus lanes.

Low Emissions Vehicles

Encourage greater use of Low Emission cars but realise that modern HGVs are quite good.

But we should seek to reduce the number of LGVs and HGVs entering the city centre perhaps by consulting with business about consolidating loads.

Planning Policy

Better use of mixed development – where people can live, work and play in close proximity of their homes and therefore walk or cycle to facilities.”