Yesterday's piece on serious traffic congestion in Edinburgh's East End touched a raw nerve (Breaking news, 13.9.16; see foot of page).
Our Facebook post alone has reached nearly 95,000 people since this time (4.30pm) yesterday, and the total is still rising.
Today, we approached City of Edinburgh Council and asked for a statement on:
- why so many roadworks have been scheduled in so small an area over such a comparatively short period.
- whether anything will be done to improve the situation now that problems have resulted.
- what steps CEC is taking to monitor air quality, given the pollution pumped out by so many slow-moving or stationary vehicles.
We appreciate traffic delays are frustrating for all road users which is why the Council works very closely with utility companies and other partners to plan roadworks so that we minimise congestion as far as we can.
At present, important investment in regenerating the east end of the city centre means diversions are required for a short time and we would ask everyone to please be patient while this work is carried out.
The next phase of the successful Leith Programme recently got underway and work has now begun on a much-needed new affordable housing development at Shrubhill. These works have been planned for some time and we know the local community would not be happy to see these projects delayed.
Scottish Gas Network are upgrading the gas network in the Brunswick Place area to ensure a safe a reliable gas supply to homes and businesses for many years to come. We deliberately started this work during the Festival this year so that it’s out of the way before road resurfacing starts on the Pilrig Road to McDonald Road section of Leith Walk.
So there you have it. Enjoy your trip.
Got a view? Tell us at spurtle@hotmail.co.uk and @theSpurtle and Facebook
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@theSpurtle @LAHinds Somehow I can't see it improving soon. Why don't car drivers seek alternative routes or leave the car every second day?
@theSpurtle @LAHinds why are buses being diverted and trams running part route? This isn't fair, cars should be diverted or temp banned.
@springles88 Trams running part route? Haymarket to York Place was fine this pm. @LAHinds
Simon @springles88
@theSpurtle @LAHinds Some trams were fine, others not.
Fair enough. I was lucky.
Lorraine Moore Tbh the shrubhill development has only just been announced!
Colin McShane Waste of energy her responding. Spurtle told us all that yesterday. Clowncillor Hinds!
Lorraine Moore Perhaps there needs to be alternative bus routes to the west end ... No idea where the route would be but so many buses clogging up the roads as well!
@wkontime @theSpurtle @LAHinds Why don't the Council reopen the streets they blocked off eg Dublin St and North Castle St #easetheflow
William Kay @wkontime
@lattegirl10 @theSpurtle @LAHinds Dublin St is on a different level now. Snookers that one.
Scott Richards Translated...."Blimmin' heck, we never saw this coming when we granted unfettered road closure permits across the east end. Didn't the tram dudes sink big enough pipes when they dug-up the Walk last time?...Don't worry, we'll have things back to normal this time next year".