Agenda and minutes

Including any notices of motion and any other items of business submitted as urgent for consideration at the meeting.

Members should declare any financial and non-financial interests they have in the items of business for consideration, identifying the relevant agenda item and the nature of their interest.

If any.

Minute of the Transport and Environment Committee of 18 August 2022 – submitted for approval as a correct record

Transport and Environment Committee Work Programme

Transport and Environment Committee Rolling Actions Log

Transport and Environment Business Bulletin

Motion by Councillor Arthur – Burnside Bridge

“Committee:

1. Notes that Stenhouse Mill Lane Footbridge (“Burnside Bridge”) provides access to a right of way which is crucial for pedestrians moving between the communities of Longstone and Stenhouse.

2. Notes that access to this right of way has been blocked since July 1st, 2019, after flooding caused damage to adjacent buildings, and possibly the bridge.

3. Notes that while the site has now been secured, the bridge remains closed after concerns were raised regarding its structural integrity.

4. Requests that Officers report via business bulletin to the Transport & Environment Committee within two cycles confirming the ownership of the bridge and what avenues are available to reopen this important pedestrian route.”

Motion by Councillor Aston – McGill’s takeover of First East Coast’s 20, 63 and 68 services

“Committee:

1. Notes that McGill’s has taken over First East Scotland’s bus operations and that these include the vital subsidised services 20, 63 and 68,

2. Recognises that officers have been working to save these routes, which provide links to chronically underserved communities in the West and South West of the city in recent weeks and succeeded in ensuring that the previous operator continued these services, albeit in a reduced form.

3. Notes that a new operator, with potentially different priorities, could have medium- and long-term implications for the operation of these services.

4. Requests a briefing note to all elected members within one cycle detailing discussions between officers and the new operator and outlining what assurances have been given by McGill’s as to the continuation of the 20, 63 and 68 in the longer term and also on McGill’s plans to improve the sustainability and decarbonisation of their fleet.”

Motion by Councillor Aston – Electric Scooters

“Committee:

1. Notes that electric scooters are illegal to use except on private land and yet that they are being widely used on our roads, pavements and cyclepaths.

2. Notes that there is a regulatory lacuna in respect of electric scooters, whereby these devices are legal to buy and are widely and relatively inexpensively available in the city.

3. Notes that this has helped to create a situation where young children are often seen riding electric scooters

4. Further notes that this has contributed to the widespread use of electric scooters on pavements, which is antisocial and dangerous, particularly for disabled and visually impaired pedestrians

5. Recognises that electric scooter rental schemes in operation in other European cities often result in hazardous and unsightly street clutter as scooters are left in piles when not being used

6. Notes that the House of Commons Transport Select Committee supported legalisation of electric scooters in its October 2020 report E-scooters: pavement nuisance or transport innovation and that the UK Government has been trialling escooter rentals in 31 places across England

7. Recognises that, despite misgivings of elected members and Edinburgh residents, electric scooters may be legalised and that our city may have to be prepared in responding to this outcome

8. Requests a report in three cycles on officers’ engagement so far with UK Department for Transport officials on the potential for legalisation or regulatory change in respect of electric scooters and what steps are being taken to prepare our city for this eventuality”