Agenda and draft 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.

Minute of the Transport and Environment Committee of 8 December 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 Lang - Flooding in Kirkliston

“Committee notes;

1.    the substantial flooding which took place in Kirkliston in December 2022, which resulted in serious damage to the local nursery, scout hut and several homes.

2.    the flooding cut off hundreds of homes in the Gateside estate and also resulted in three of the four roads in and out of Kirkliston becoming impassable.

3.    that this is only the latest in a series of increasingly serious flooding events to affect the village, causing major disruption and damage.

Committee recognises that flooding has become a common issue in many parts of Edinburgh but that the events seen in Kirkliston in December were some of the most serious to be seen within the local authority area.

Committee notes a petition has now been lodged with over 1,300 signatures calling on Edinburgh Council to prioritise funding for additional measures, including improved flood defences near the River Almond, to minimise flooding in Kirkliston and prevent further serious damage.

Committee therefore requests a report within two cycles setting out initial short-term and long-term options to address flooding in Kirkliston, including the approaches which may need to be made to the Scottish Government in terms of new infrastructure investment.”

Motion by Councillor Macinnes - Edinburgh Freight Conference

“Committee recognises:

1.1 Each city has freight issues of some kind, including Edinburgh. These include large and increased numbers of delivery vehicles contributing to congestion and difficulties on bus routes, pavement parking and associated expensive damage to physical infrastructure, road safety risks, particularly for vulnerable road users, and noise and air pollution.

1.2 The prime importance of reliable freight deliveries and loading to businesses of all sizes in Edinburgh and that there is evidence that the logistics industry is responding to changing expectations in cities. Many logistics operations have set their own climate impact reduction policies, and this is starting to be seen through the increased incidence of smaller electric vehicles or cargo bike deliveries in Edinburgh.

1.3 The previously published City Mobility Plan contains a clear reference to the strong support through public consultation for a reduction in freight vehicle trips and commits (through Policy Measure Movement 26 Managing Delivery and Servicing) to ‘Reduce the impact of delivery and servicing vehicles such as through access and timing restrictions, edge of town consolidation centres and local click and collect facilities while supporting deliveries by foot and bicycle.’

Committee therefore:

2.1 Calls on officers to commit to specific engagement with, and learning from, the logistics industry through the creation of a special conference covering key city delivery issues. This should include key representatives from main delivery companies, logistic experts both industry and academic, Council officers and other Edinburgh-related organisations. Its purpose should be to understand how best to reduce delivery vehicle kms and heavy vehicle usage inside the City, explore the proposition of consolidation centres with the logistics industry themselves and find appropriate ways forward that both support business operations and deliver key benefits for the city identifying specific Council actions to facilitate this progress.

2.2 The findings from this conference should be brought back to the Transport Committee with specific actions arising from those renewed and effective relationships with those who can help us shape this aspect of transport policy development.”