Save Greenbank
Update on the council's plan to reduce the exit from Greenbank Crescent to one lane
Here is an update on this issue that I received from a Senior Transport Team Leader at the council: “having reviewed the proposed carriageway markings, the short advisory cycle lane taper provided on approach to the advanced cycle stop area can be removed which will maintain the existing carriageway width and retain both exit lanes from Greenbank Crescent.”
This seems like very good news. Hopefully, this is the end of the concerns that I and other Greenbank residents had. I would like to thank councillors Munro, Parker and Ross for their support in resolving this matter. (Councillor Watt did not engage at any point.)
My request to set up a petition to "Leave the exit of Greenbank Crescent as it currently is" (reference 511567) was rejected by council. While the response I received from the council raises some questions about local democracy, in light of the update above, this petition would no longer be relevant.
Edinburgh Council’s £1M cycle lane plan will reduce the exit from Greenbank Crescent to one lane and will lead to:
- Even longer queues of traffic on Greenbank Crescent at peak times.
- The displacement of cars to narrower side streets as drivers seek to avoid the congestion caused by the change.
- Increased pollution in the Greenbank area.
- Delays to local bus services.
As a resident of Greenbank who regularly uses public transport, as well as walking, cycling and driving, I am extremely concerned by the impact that this scheme will have, as well as the lack of consultation with the local community. Other residents I've spoken with share these concerns.
This photo shows traffic congestion in the morning on Greenbank Crescent as things are now. Reducing the exit to a single lane will add to this.
The Council's Scheme
This change is part of 'Redetermination order Braidburn area RSO/23/22'. Unfortunately, the council's approach to sharing information about the plan is such that none of the local residents I've spoken to were aware of what is planned in the scheme. There seems to be a real lack of visibility from the council regarding the scheme.
- The council's published Active Travel Improvements information doesn't mention this scheme.
- Searching for Greenbank or Braidburn on the council's 'Consultation and Engagement Hub' doesn't return anything related to this scheme.
- Searching against Greenbank Crescent on the whole council web site doesn't return any obvious mentions of this scheme.
- Searching for Braidburn Terrace does identify Redetermination order Braidburn area RSO/23/22. However, the 'Statement Of Reasons' document makes no mention of Greenbank Crescent, and the draft made order and plans made available do not identify the nature of the change. (The 'Advert' document is frankly incomprehensible.)
In fact, apart from some information on the edinburghlibdems.org web site, details of the nature of the change don't seem to be available anywhere. This raises two questions:
- Why is it so hard to discover information from the council about this scheme?
- Has the proper procedure for informing and consulting the public been followed?
Update
In communications received by local Councillors, the following statement was provided by the council:
“It's acknowledged that this project was not issued as a full consultation through the hub as is generally the case with more recent schemes, but it did pre-date this process by a number of years as it developed in line with local public event feedback.”
Freedom of Information
I submitted a Freedom of Information request relating to this scheme (ref. 45241). The full request and the council’s response is online at the council's Freedom of Information disclosure log. Some of the points stand out in particular:
Q: What analysis has been done on traffic displacement to other streets in Greenbank as a result of road changes introduced by this scheme?
A: Traffic survey data and automatic number plate recognition counts were analysed in 2018 to establish current movements and inform the design and delivery of the proposed Active Travel improvements (including making Braidburn Terrace one-way Eastbound and therefore removing the Westbound exit from the Greenbank junction phasing) to streets in the Greenbank and Braidburn area. The results showed an overall improvement to the network performance. This study was carried out prior to the Braid Road restrictions.
Anyone who has experienced the current congestion in Morningside and Greenbank may conclude that this analysis is flawed. Nor does it appear to consider the effects of displacing traffic to narrower side streets.
Q: What analysis has been done on the impact on air quality caused by the additional queuing traffic on Greenbank Crescent?
A: Currently, there is no air quality monitoring on Greenbank Crescent.
Ironically, the council are keen to point out the dangers of pollution: "Air pollution harms both our physical and mental health" (Councillor Scott Arthur, Transport and Environment Convener).
Q: What options were considered for the pavement on the northwest corner of the junction? [This is the narrow pavement that actually concerns most locals.]
A: [...] The northwest footway in Greenbank Crescent and Greenbank Terrace will be resurfaced within the extents of the project but will remain the same width as before.
Q: How much will this scheme cost?
A: The current cost of the design (developed over a number of years) and delivery of the project is approaching £1 million.
Local Councillors
I've also contacted all four local councillors about this scheme. At the time of writing, all of them - apart from Councillor Watt - have responded and agreed to assist in some way. Should you wish to contact them as well, their details are available on the council's Find [your] Councillor site.