Issue - meetings

By Councillor Mowat - Re-Prioritise within the Spaces for People Programme

“Council:

Notes many other Local Authorities have had to modify their proposals and schemes brought forward without proper planning and scrutiny in the immediate aftermath of the Coronavirus Pandemic and associated Public Health Emergency.

Further notes the significant objections that have been raised by different communities in Edinburgh to some of the Spaces for People schemes in this Authority; not least from groups representing disabled people; from businesses and from residents directly impacted by schemes in their local area.

Is concerned that the implementation of the Spaces for People programme is undermining public confidence in Local Government amongst significant sections of our City at a time of great shared risk.

Nonetheless, recognises the intention of Spaces for People to provide safe, distanced space and encourage active travel.

Therefore, in order to re-build public confidence, and deliver on elements that are likely to command widespread support, instructs the Executive Director of Place to immediately re-prioritise the Spaces for People programme in this Council towards:

1)       Bringing forward “Safe Transport to Schools” proposals for every school in Edinburgh

2)       Clear all overgrowing vegetation from the Council’s off-road path network, including a clear verge of 400mm where this is possible, so that users can freely travel the full width of these paths irrespective of the permitted mode.

3)       Commence the process of serving Statutory Notices where vegetation is overgrowing pavements, restricting the available width by more than 100mm.

4)       Accelerate the removal of railings on Pavements, in line with agreed Council policy.”