While cautiously and in principle pro-tram, Leith Central community council (LCCC) submitted a 13-point objection to the tram traffic regulation order (TRO) for Leith Walk in March, addressing issues like bus top locations, bin lorry access, pavement narrowing, retail logistics and cycle provision.
When the council's response was published in early September, not a single objection was accepted, with the council's rebuttals ranging from impractical to inconsiderate and apparently oblivious to its own commitment to cut carbon emissions by 20% over the next 10 years.
Not surprisingly, this did not go down well with LCCC and a request was sent to the council to postpone the TRO until there is more clarity as to whether and when trams will be running down Leith Walk.
It was further suggested that the intervening time could be gainfully used to rethink the TRO in the context of a more holistic design, in line with the government's 'Designing Streets: A Policy Statement for Scotland', thereby giving appropriate emphasis to "placemaking and preventing the dominance of motorised vehicles over all other street users".
When the council's Transport Committee met in September, LCCC's position was at least partially vindicated when councillors shied away from a decision on the TRO until the Transport Committee's November meeting, taking place today.
Since the council does not intend to decide whether the tram route from the airport will initially stop short of Leith Walk or whether track construction will proceed at least to the Foot of the Walk before the full December meeting, LCCC continues to call for a postponement of the Leith Walk TRO, hoping that transport councillors do not wish to put the cart before the horse.
Harald Tobermann is a member of the transport subcommittee on Leith Central community council.
