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So I promised a look at Colinton.
Historic village, full of character & a topography that enhances its environment but poses challenges to moving around!
One of many ‘towns’ in Edinburgh (Gorgie, Easter Rd, Stockbridge etc).
One that is ripe for improvement.
Historic village, full of character & a topography that enhances its environment but poses challenges to moving around!
One of many ‘towns’ in Edinburgh (Gorgie, Easter Rd, Stockbridge etc).
One that is ripe for improvement.
Almost all political parties want active healthy populations using 20 min neighbourhoods. That’s the prize for @ColintonCC, @ColintonAmenity, @PhilipDoggart @lmacinnessnp @CllrScottArthur @best_edinburgh @SustransScot @SpokesLothian
It’s possible. Let’s dream.
https://twitter.com/wearemacs/status/1304346458871734272
It’s possible. Let’s dream.
https://twitter.com/wearemacs/status/1304346458871734272
What’s the goal?
1. A healthier community
2. Vibrant business and public spaces
3. A more resilient community preparing for climate change.
1. A healthier community
2. Vibrant business and public spaces
3. A more resilient community preparing for climate change.
(Disclaimer)
I’m local. I use the Spylaw Park with my kids & shop at the local businesses (CoOp, Coffee shop, pubs, post office, pharmacy etc). Views my own.
Most often I get there by:
1. 2. 
3. (rarely by ).
shot over several weeks in Mar/Apr/May
I’m local. I use the Spylaw Park with my kids & shop at the local businesses (CoOp, Coffee shop, pubs, post office, pharmacy etc). Views my own.
Most often I get there by:
1.
2. 3. (rarely by ). shot over several weeks in Mar/Apr/May
Let’s be honest, the pedestrian experience through an attractive little village isn’t great. Grim.
very tight pavements
phased crossing
corralled through railings where there a multiple traffic lanes
very tight pavements phased crossing corralled through railings where there a multiple traffic lanes
There are tight pavements, often where there is either parking at limited times, recessed parking or sufficient width on the road to extend pavements. #spacesforpeople or #spacesforvehicles ?
Many 
, travelling through, not to the area. Harming health, making noise & not using local businesses.
Stakeholders might gaze at recent changes to Edinburgh’s streetscape & claim the most vulnerable aren’t being prioritised. Are they here?
Can we agree status quo is
?
, travelling through, not to the area. Harming health, making noise & not using local businesses. Stakeholders might gaze at recent changes to Edinburgh’s streetscape & claim the most vulnerable aren’t being prioritised. Are they here?
Can we agree status quo is
?
There is a lot of clutter, reducing the amenity of conservation area & obstructing, almost exclusively, pedestrians.
Try walking with sticks, or pushing a pram whilst walking a dog here...
Also, no blue badge provision. Despite ample (often unused) parking. None.
Try walking with sticks,
or pushing a pram whilst walking a dog here...Also, no blue badge provision. Despite ample (often unused) parking. None.
Some clutter is moveable and cute...
And then there is the Bridge/Colinto/Woodhall Roads junction, a clear prioritisation of cars over all other modes.
filter lanes for cars
no bus priority measures
advanced cycle boxes only provision for
pedestrians corralled like 
filter lanes for carsno bus priority measuresadvanced cycle boxes only provision for pedestrians corralled like
It gets worse:
double lanes for only c3 cars to queue?
long waits for
huge yellow boxes
traffic islands/refuges (an acceptance the road is too fast &wide to cross)
unnecessary huge turn radius on some junctions
https://twitter.com/tweetsupa/status/1384459842342039553?s=21
double lanes for only c3 cars to queue? long waits for huge yellow boxes traffic islands/refuges (an acceptance the road is too fast &wide to cross) unnecessary huge turn radius on some junctions https://twitter.com/tweetsupa/status/1384459842342039553?s=21
What about ? Overall mixed:
good regular @on_lothianbuses services
main interchange stop: limited waiting area. No space for a prams to pass users, never mind social distance.
parking opposite stops often prioritised - could be used to extend waiting areas?
?
? Overall mixed: good regular @on_lothianbuses services main interchange stop: limited waiting area. No space for a prams to pass users, never mind social distance. parking opposite stops often prioritised - could be used to extend waiting areas? ?
Cycling? 
‘Infrastructure’:
paint at junctions ( #paintisnotprotection )
a couple of hoops
no @cyclehire_edi
But fantastic @WOLCT and route to Pentlands Regional Park and this https://twitter.com/caldamac/status/1390051224951603207?s=21
‘Infrastructure’:
paint at junctions ( #paintisnotprotection ) a couple of hoops no @cyclehire_edi But fantastic @WOLCT and route to Pentlands Regional Park and this https://twitter.com/caldamac/status/1390051224951603207?s=21
Solutions for a vibrant, 20 min @ColintonCC @ColintonAmenity neighborhood? 
1. Increase pedestrian space
2. Reduce traffic - significantly
3. Bring business, ideally local business, to support Dantes, @the1colintoninn, Spylaw, Java etc.
https://twitter.com/modacitylife/status/1390630595701706753?s=21
1. Increase pedestrian space
2. Reduce traffic - significantly
3. Bring business, ideally local business, to support Dantes, @the1colintoninn, Spylaw, Java etc.
https://twitter.com/modacitylife/status/1390630595701706753?s=21
Sort the junction:
reduce Westgarth junction width
use car filter lanes for people
remove pedestrian island & railings
consider 
crossings
cars are guests
reduce Westgarth junction width use car filter lanes for people remove pedestrian island & railings consider crossings cars are guests
Consider more radical traffic interventions to improve for the community not those driving through it:
only?
one way (except )
20mph average speed cameras
traffic chicanes
lights at bottom of Gillespie Road linked to Woodall Rd Junct. https://twitter.com/modacitylife/status/1280178157497311239
only? one way (except ) 20mph average speed cameras traffic chicanes lights at bottom of Gillespie Road linked to Woodall Rd Junct. https://twitter.com/modacitylife/status/1280178157497311239
The main ‘high street’:
increase blue badge spaces
increase pavement space
crossings
Parklets
Green parking
Loading zones
https://twitter.com/nandasluijsmans/status/1389476919343730690?s=21
increase blue badge spaces increase pavement space crossings Parklets Green parking Loading zoneshttps://twitter.com/nandasluijsmans/status/1389476919343730690?s=21
Extra space for cafes etc (eg Dante’s) 10 min drop off/delivery spaces
Business typically overestimate car patronage. But how do we get more folk to use their businesses locally & reduce traffic (remove the “I’ll just pop down to the shops” journey )?
Let’s induce demand: built it & they will come. THIS
)?Let’s induce demand: built it & they will come. THIS
The 20 min network will connect local shops, supermarkets, doctors, dentists, @ColintonPrimary @BonalyPrimary, Firhill, @TheFirhillYP @OxgangsPS @OxgangsNC @PentlandPS @PentlandHillsRP @MerchiNews (and others) improve health 
, reduce congestion and fight climate change.
, reduce congestion and fight climate change.
Ample road space to reallocate and segregate space for 
.
Folk might have to walk further to/from park cars. But benefits outweigh disadvantages - let’s convince them. https://twitter.com/anotherjon/status/1384547595947814919
. Folk might have to walk further to/from park cars. But benefits outweigh disadvantages - let’s convince them. https://twitter.com/anotherjon/status/1384547595947814919
I have 2 kids, the eldest just started primary school. I want to see them walking or cycling on safe infrastructure to secondary school 
.
So I’m starting now.
But (as everywhere in Edinburgh & beyond), I suspect resistance to positive, equitable change.
. So I’m starting now.
But (as everywhere in Edinburgh & beyond), I suspect resistance to positive, equitable change.
Change is possible with willing supporters & community backing.
Cc interested parties: @Cyclesouthedin @Project_ERSE @blackfordsafer1 @EdinReporter @edinburghpaper @AlexDRobertson @GregEdinburgh @CEO_BikeStation @Longstone_CC @FriendsOfECH
Cc interested parties: @Cyclesouthedin @Project_ERSE @blackfordsafer1 @EdinReporter @edinburghpaper @AlexDRobertson @GregEdinburgh @CEO_BikeStation @Longstone_CC @FriendsOfECH
Cc
@craiglockhartcc @mark_lazarowicz @marklazarowicz @leecraigie_ @reizkultur @colintonbowls @MerchiSport @Daisynmurphy @sto_paul @HelenMa14373119 @SueJWebber @TunnelColinton @BonalyOutdoorC @FairmileheadCC @TransformScot @harts_cyclery @farroutdelivers
@craiglockhartcc @mark_lazarowicz @marklazarowicz @leecraigie_ @reizkultur @colintonbowls @MerchiSport @Daisynmurphy @sto_paul @HelenMa14373119 @SueJWebber @TunnelColinton @BonalyOutdoorC @FairmileheadCC @TransformScot @harts_cyclery @farroutdelivers
And @thecockburn too!
