Questions and Answers
The current designs have finished the developed design phase and we’ve spent a lot of time thinking about the concerns of the community as we prepared them.
You can click on each question to expand the answer.
Project Questions
Who has been consulted on the proposals?
Response: Stakeholders and members of the public. The project has been advertised through a press release, on social media and via lamppost wraps in the area, as well as via the consultation events that have been held throughout the area. You can see the consultation and feedback details here.
What is the project and what is being consulted on?
Response: Situated in west Edinburgh, this project will transform cycling and walking access to one of Scotland’s key business parks.
With construction of segregated cycleways and improved traffic-free paths, South Gyle and Edinburgh Park will be directly connected to surrounding communities, extending north to the Gyle Shopping Centre and south via Bankhead, Wester Hailes and Clovenstone. This will make it easier for people to make walking or cycling part of their journey.
The project will build upon the City of Edinburgh Council’s Active Travel Action Plan and QuietRoute network. The West Edinburgh Link was awarded funding in 2017, as part of Places for Everyone (formerly known as Community Links PLUS), a Scottish Government funded programme delivered by Sustrans Scotland to create safer, more attractive and healthier places by increasing the number of everyday trips made by walking, cycling and other modes of active travel.
Designs have been prepared and engagement events with stakeholders and local residents have been held to receive feedback on these initial designs and to raise awareness of the project.
Will I have other opportunities to respond?
Response: The project has now finalised its design proposals and progressing with statutory orders to enable the changes to be made. Further engagement with communities will be undertaken prior to and during construction.
How is the project funded?
Response: The project is match funded by the Council’s Cycling capital budget, agreed annually by the Council Committee, and Sustrans with Transport Scotland.
How have pedestrians been considered and prioritised?
Response: Designing for pedestrians is a key aspect of all our proposals. Where possible and appropriate we are looking to prioritise pedestrian movements. Pedestrian priority has also been a key update within the latest Highway Code 2022 update. Pedestrians will also benefit from the new crossing infrastructure.
What are the impacts of on-street parking?
Response: On-street parking will have to be removed on Bankhead Avenue and South Gyle Crescent to accommodate the new segregated cycleways.
Through consultation and parking studies, we are considering the implementation of residents priority parking zones (RPPZ) in the Gogarloch and South Gyle residential areas.
A final decision on the implementation of any RPPZ in these areas will be made in Autumn 2022 following further parking surveys in the area.
How can I safely access the new cycleways when my street and the connecting routes are unsafe for cycling at the moment?
Response: This is the first stage of the development of the West Edinburgh Link. Over time, links to and from the route can be developed to ensure that the route is as accessible as possible.
Why were these streets and routes selected?
Response: The route alignment was selected to try and optimise connections with the existing cycle routes in the area (that are predominantly east-west in alignment), the communities, local amenities, shops and workplaces. The focus is on making everyday trips as direct, convenient, safe and comfortable as possible for the area as a whole, within the budget available. The project team undertook a detailed appraisal process when considering the various route options.
Could this money be spent on something else?
Response: No. Funding from Sustrans Scotland’s infrastructure fund, Places for Everyone, has to be spent on the West Edinburgh Link project. The Council funding is from a dedicated cycling budget that has been agreed by the Council’s Transport and Environment Committee.
What is the timeline for construction?
Response: The current programme is for construction to start in 2023. Between then and now the project will be developed from its current stage (developed design) through to technical design and preparation of the documents and drawings required for construction.
Have the impacts on traffic been considered?
Response: Yes, the impacts on traffic have been considered throughout the development of the designs. The impacts have been assessed through modelling and efforts have been made to preserve the flow of people and vehicles.
Does the project consider planning proposals in the area?
Response: Yes, there are a number of planned developments and planning proposals in the area and these have been considered in the development of the designs.
We have liaised with planning officers at The City of Edinburgh Council and our proposal is to align the route to provide opportunities for links to be developed between the West Edinburgh Link and the developments.
Potential future developments have all been made aware of the designs and content of this project.
Does the project meet the requirements of the Equality Act 2010?
Yes, the project will meet all requirements of the Equality Act 2010.
How will we be updated on the results of the consultation and the project’s progress?
Response: You can sign up to a mailing list for project updates. We will also update the website at key milestones during the project. You can already view the results and feedback from the consultations.
Central Section
What are the impacts and proposals for loss of parking on South Gyle Crescent?
Response: To improve the area for people travelling on foot and by bike, on-street parking would have to be removed on South Gyle Crescent. A priority parking scheme is being considered to protect residents in the surrounding residential areas from parking migration. People parking in this area for the purposes of park and ride can do so from the park and ride sites at Ingliston and Hermiston.
Why is there a mix of Zebra and signalised crossings proposed on South Gyle Crescent?
Response: Zebra crossings are proposed across streets that are quieter in nature, while signalised crossings are proposed on streets that are wide and / or busy.
How will traffic be impacted by the proposals?
Response: The impacts on traffic have been considered throughout the development of the designs. The impacts have been assessed through modelling and efforts have been made to preserve the flow of people and vehicles.
Why does the route stop at The Gyle Shopping Centre?
Response: The Gyle Shopping Centre is a major trip attractor in this area. From The Gyle Shopping Centre there is an existing cycle route connecting to the north side of the A8 Glasgow Road via Edinburgh Gateway railway station, to facilitate onward cycling and walking to the North. The Northern section of the project would also provide further extension of the route beyond the Gyle, this section is deferred until 2025 and funding availability.
Southern Section
How will traffic be impacted by the proposals?
Response: The impacts on traffic have been considered throughout the development of the designs. The impacts have been assessed through modelling and efforts have been made to preserve the flow of people and vehicles.
Why is a new crossing proposed on Calder Road when the underpass exists?
Response: We know that some users do not feel comfortable using underpasses due to perceived or actual personal security concerns. They are typically dark, enclosed spaces in which it is not possible to see who or what is coming towards you. A new signalised crossing on Calder Road would allow all users to safely cross the road at street-level.
Why is it necessary to remove a traffic lane on Wester Hailes Road and what will the impact be on traffic flows?
Response: Removal of a traffic lane is required to accommodate a segregated cycleway. There are two bridges on Wester Hailes Road (across the canal and across Murrayburn Drive) and at these points it is not possible to accommodate a segregated cycleway and retain the existing footways without removal of a traffic lane.
Feedback from previous local consultations indicates that dual carriageway and a central reservation creates a significant barrier to local community access and makes the area feel traffic dominated. Traffic modelling analysis has shown that the removal of a traffic lane will not have a significant impact on the overall traffic flow and capacity of the road.
How will traffic operate on Wester Hailes Road in emergency situations due to the single lane southbound and the central reserve?
Response: Suitable design measures will be implemented to permit emergency vehicle access and general traffic functioning in the case of an emergency or breakdown on the southbound side of the road.
There are underpasses on Wester Hailes Road. Why are new crossings required?
Response: We know that many people do not feel comfortable using underpasses due to perceived or actual personal security concerns. They are typically dark, enclosed spaces in which it is not possible to see who or what is coming towards you. New signalised crossings allow all users to safely cross the road at street-level and would represent a significant improvement to the most vulnerable members of society.
How was the number and location of new crossings of Wester Hailes Road decided?
Response: Crossing locations were confirmed during consultations with local residents and stakeholders – please see the engagement summary report for details.
Get In Touch
0131 469 3776
0131 529 7908
Waverley Court
4 East Market Street
Edinburgh
EH8 8BG
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