It has been revealed through an Edinburgh resident’s Freedom of Information request that the controversial Spaces for People measures introduced on Silverknowes Road and Silverknowes Road East has cost a total of £118,111.
Sue Webber, MSP for Lothian region and councillor for the Pentland Hills ward, has been the Conservative spokesperson for issues relating to transport and the environment at Edinburgh council.
She has hit out at the cost of the initiative and says that money could well have been spent on improving the existing infrastructure for active travellers and motorists in the capital.
The MSP and councillor has also called on Edinburgh City Council to get back to basics in dealing with issues and to create an Edinburgh “that works for both people living here as well as visitors to our wonderful city.”
Sue said: “Spaces for People has not been short of controversy and this does not appear to be ending. Despite moving towards Level 0, and a removal of social distancing measures on August 9, I am disappointed to see such a frivolous approach to taxpayers money. Many will say that this is funded from Spaces for People money, but frankly that is irrelevant. It is still taxpayers money, irrespective of the source.
“Some of the choices and priorities being made by the City of Edinburgh’s SNP/Labour Administration give me cause for concern. They should be focussing on delivering basic, essential services. Drive or cycle around Edinburgh and you see a run-down city. Across Edinburgh there are poor quality pavements and roads, weeds growing unrestricted along kerbsides and pavements, and bins overflowing. Care homes are being threatened with closure. It is time the administration got back to basics. Forget the controversies, whether that is Spaces for People, Low Traffic Neighbourhoods, Low Emission Zones, Controlled Parking Zones, or the City Mobility Plan. We need a city that works for both people living here as well as visitors to our wonderful city.”
The measures were brought in using emergency ring fenced funding which was covered by Transport Scotland via Sustrans.
The Spaces for People scheme was introduced in order to make it safer for pedestrians to socially distance themselves whilst travelling.
An emergency traffic regulation order (ETRO) was used to push through the proposals without public consultation.
But a significant number of Edinburgh residents have spoken of their displeasure at how the scheme was rolled out.
A City of Edinburgh Council spokesperson said: “We introduced a bus lane and cycle lanes on Silverknowes Road North to create a safe traffic-free walking and cycling route to the popular promenade, as well as a calmer, safer environment for pedestrians and cyclists to travel and exercise during the pandemic. The cost of this project was covered by Transport Scotland funding, via Sustrans, for the design and installation of the public health response measures. The total spend includes scheme design, staff time and contractors supply and installation costs.”
