Council reduces number of vehicles hired to enter LEZ
When The City of Edinburgh Council set up the Low Emission Zone in June 2024, a number of council-owned vehicles did not comply with the new regulations.
The 41 vehicles, which amounted to 3.5% of the council fleet, and which for example included buses fitted with special lifts for those in wheelchairs, had to be replaced with hired vehicles.
The council now says that replacement vehicles have been ordered to replace all 41, but that the specialist nature of the vehicles meant that it would take a longer time to obtain delivery as they were made to order.
The council has managed to replace 32 of the vehicles with only 9 left which are still on hire.
In addition to this group there are 22 other vehicles which do not comply with the LEZ requirements, but which do not require to access the city centre. The Transport Convener said this morning that it is the council's intention to make their entire fleet compliant within the financial year.
Cllr Stephen Jenkinson, Transport and Environment Convener, said:'Later on this year, I'll be pleased to report that The City of Edinburgh Council's entire fleet is compliant with the LEZ.'
The council was asked to supply the cost of hiring vehicles to comply with the LEZ restrictions during the last year. The total cost for the period from 1 August 2024 to date is £308,232.
The LEZ came into effect on 1 June 2024.
Enforcement of the LEZ in Edinburgh began in June 2024 PHOTO ©2023 The Edinburgh Reporter
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Scotsman
21 hours ago
- Scotsman
The 22 Edinburgh roads where speed limit will be reduced from 40mph to 30mph from next month
Changes designed to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists will involve the speed limit on 22 roads in Edinburgh being reduced from 40mph to 30mph. Sign up for the latest news and analysis about Scottish transport Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Drivers in Edinburgh will face stricter new speed limits across some of the city's busiest roads from next month as part of long-awaited changes. The speed limit will be cut from 40mph to 30mph on 22 streets throughout the city, including key thoroughfares such as Queensferry Road and Wester Hailes Road. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The changes, which were first approved more than five years ago, are designed to encourage motorists to drive more slowly and boost the safety of pedestrians and cyclists. Edinburgh City Council will begin implementing the speed reduction measures from June 9. The work to install new speed limit signs will begin at Biggar Road, and run throughout June and July. Once the new signs are in place, the new speed limits will be enforceable. Queensferry Road is among those streets impacted by the changes. | TSPL The other roads impacted by the new lower limit are: Calder Road; Frogston Brae; Glasgow Road (east section) Glasgow Road (west section and Old Liston Road); Gogar Station Road; Hawes Brae and Bankhead Road; Hillhouse Road; Lang Loan (section at the junction with Lasswade Road); Lasswade Road; Milton Road, Milton Road East and Milton Link; Riccarton Mains Road; Sir Harry Lauder Road; Seafield Road; South Gyle Broadway; Straiton Road; and Wester Hailes Road Stephen Jenkinson, the council's transport and environment convener, said: 'Road safety is a key priority for us and I'm glad that we're moving ahead with this important process. Whilst this has taken longer than we initially anticipated, I'm confident that these measures will make many of our roads across the city safer. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'The evidence is clear - lower speed limits make roads safer for everyone. A pedestrian or cyclist has twice the chance of surviving a collision at 30mph compared to 40mph. Any action that we can take to make sure all road users are safer is a positive step.' The changes, which have been supported by Police Scotland, were initially agreed as long ago as February 2020, when the council began the statutory process for what is known as a traffic regulator order to reduce the speed limit on the streets. However, complications brought about by the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic led to delays. The surgeon was driving at below the 30mph speed limit, the court heard | PA More than 100 traffic surveys were undertaken prior to the changes being ratified. A consultation was also held, with 52 responses received, of which 32 were letters of support, with 20 objections. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A consultant was appointed to design the necessary changes to the streets impacted, with road safety audits also carried out once the designs were completed. According to the council, the programme of changes was then passed over to the delivery team in November last year for procurement. The move meets several policies in the council's local transport strategy. A map of the roads with new 30mph speed limits can be viewed on the council's website. It comes as the council is considering wider changes to introduce 20mph speed limits on more roads across the city. The changes, which are expected to be rolled out from late 2026, are estimated to cost around £850,000. Here is the full list of roads where speed limits will be reduced from 40pmh to 30pmh
The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- The Herald Scotland
Can the city that failed at Just Eat bikes now go dockless?
Unlike the previous scheme, the new one will be 'dockless' - in which bikes can be located, hired and unlocked using a smartphone app and don't require a docking station - and it could be arriving very soon. An initial 'diluted version' of the Edinburgh scheme is hoped to roll out before the Edinburgh Festival, with, said a council officer, 100-200 dockless cycles across the city centre by August. If successful it could expand to between 600 and 800. The previous troubled project, introduced in 2018, lasted only three years and was beleaguered by problems, especially vandalism and theft, which made its self-financing model unsustainable for Serco, its provider. By Spring 2019, the initial 500-strong fleet of cycles, delivered by Serco and sponsored by Just Eat, had been reduced to about 300, with many bikes out of service for repair. 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They know what state the battery is in. They know whether it's where it should be, whether it's not where it should be; whether it's upside down, lying on its side. It's the responsibility of them as a service provider to ensure that this is a success. The management and the maintenance of the service will be provided by that third party. And ultimately they don't want it to fail.' The new technology, he explained, also means the service 'can flex quite quickly' because they will have access to a level of data that the previous service did not have. "If," he said, "there are areas of the town where either we as a local authority, or they as a provider, are uncomfortable with then that can be discussed and managed. We can also control not only the locations of where the bikes can be picked up and dropped off, but the speed at which the bikes can be used – and we can control that in different parts of the town." Cllr Stephen Jenkinson tries out a Dott e-bike (Image: City of Edinburgh Council) The two-year trial scheme is set to be entirely electric (around a third of Just Eat bikes were electric and all used metal docking stations). Cllr Jenkinson explained the decision to go all electric: 'Edinburgh isn't known for being a particularly flat city. It's not the easiest city to get around under your own steam. With this, we're not looking to convert people who are already cycling to cycle more. What we're hoping to do is convince people who don't necessarily use cycling as their main mode of transport to consider it. "To allow that to happen you've got to make it as easy as possible. So it has got to be affordable and it has got to be relatively easier and it's certainly easier cycling on an e-bike up the mound than it would be out of the saddle.' READ MORE: Already, the City of Edinburgh Council has had a 'show and tell', in which two companies, Dott, Europe's largest shared e-mobility provider, and Californian company Lime, talked through their offering. Councillor Jenkinson described those sessions as 'well attended by both councillors across all parties and officers as well and those companies got a pretty hard time - I don't think they were expecting the level of scrutiny that they got' Ultimately, other companies will be considered through an open procurement process. Since there is no funding within the council's budget to deliver a cycle scheme for Edinburgh, what is being investigated is whether it's possible to deliver a scheme at no cost to the council, where the risk is absorbed by the providers. Dockless bike schemes do have their problems and they can be seen in the experiences of other cities in the UK. For instance, in London a significant proportion are still 'hacked' (essentially stolen/used for free). 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The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- The Herald Scotland
George Street revamp: How pedestrianisation plan could be scaled-back
The existing plans include widened and de-cluttered pavements, landscaped seating areas and a central, six-metre-wide cycleway. The council says the changes will create a 'greener, safer, accessible place for everyone to enjoy' in the heart of the city. However, there is growing scepticism over the affordability of the scheme and uncertainty over funding sources, while political support in the City Chambers is wavering. City of Edinburgh Council transport convener, Labour's Stephen Jenkinson, told The Herald he believed it remained a 'project worth backing' but stressed a balance had to be struck between 'doing something that's realistic and doing something that's worthy'. The plan involves widening pavements and building a cycle superhighway along the length of George Street (Image: City of Edinburgh Council) Councillors on the transport committee will consider a report with 'gold standard, silver standard and bronze standard' options at the end of June as they look to finalise the street's redesign, he said. But rising costs and the risk of further delays could lead elected members to abandon the project altogether. Cllr Jenkinson added: 'I want to try and get ourselves into a position where we have a kind of consensus with what we should do with George Street going forward. Ultimately I might not be able to get it. I think it'll be difficult to get the consensus because various parties have clearly articulated their positions on George Street and we'll have to see where we end up.' According to sources, the report will present three options: proceeding with the current plan - previously costed at £39m but now expected to rise; a reduced-scope alternative - estimated between £20m and £30m - that omits tree planting, includes Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM), and removes the existing setts in the central carriageway; and a 'do minimum' option, involving upgraded and widened footways along with previously-agreed operational changes, at an estimated cost of around £15m. All would include around £9m for diverting underground utilities. A fourth option is expected to propose only removing parking from the street. Read more from The Herald's Future of Edinburgh series: The last update to councillors, in September, revealed a funding shortfall of around £14m. It is anticipated that income from the city's new visitor levy could help bridge the gap, alongside further funding bids to the Scottish Government and the National Lottery's heritage fund. Officials have previously argued the scheme represents 'great value,' noting that approximately £30m would still need to be spent on resurfacing George Street's roads and pavements — even if the wider public realm revamp is scrapped. 'There's external funding that would have to come in at various points to help fund this project,' Cllr Jenkinson said, 'and when you're looking for external funding, predominantly Scottish Government money, you're up against other public realm projects across the country. 'So if you are actually going and asking for support for a project which isn't particularly inspiring it's going to be harder to secure any finance, never mind the finance you need, to deliver it. The plan would create more space for pedestrians on George Street (Image: Gordon Terris) 'I would like to think one of the most important streets in Scotland's capital city would be up there with any other public realm project in the country. What we actually want is somewhere for people to walk about, enjoy, sit and enjoy a beer or coffee or whatever. We have to design for the future, not the past.' The transport chief admitted the pace of delivery was 'too slow' and said he was 'focused on moving forward'. It's currently anticipated work could start in 2027 and take two years to complete. 'We're all fully aware the financial framework we're working in is tightening, it's not getting any easier to deliver anything,' he said. 'I'm a realist and I think it's important that you do what you can to ensure the projects you're looking to develop are the right ones and are delivered correctly for the right amount of money.' A recent council report setting out infrastructure projects to be prioritised proposed 'proceeding' with George Street's overhaul, noting it 'may be eligible for National Lottery Heritage funding'. 'How not to manage a project' Jo Mowat, Scottish Conservatives councillor for Edinburgh City Centre, said George Street had been an exercise in 'how not to manage a project'. The plan has 'shape-shifted according to where the funding is coming from,' she said, adding the council has been 'at the mercy of what the Scottish Government will fund through its arms-length [active travel] organisation Sustrans'. Cllr Mowat said as a result too much emphasis has been put on creating a 'cycle superhighway' and this 'comprised the design of the street'. Read more from our new investigation: '[George Street] is not really a particular transport link because of the squares at either end, so for it to become the main cycling connection would be awkward for cyclists who like to go in very straight lines,' she said. 'When you look at traditionally how the street has been used and what people want to do and think back from those first principles, this was designed as a place for people to promenade and gather. "You've got shopping but also institutions, the Assembly Rooms, churches, you've got these places where people gather, and obviously now you've got restaurants and bars. So this is a place for people to gather.' Asked if the project was now doomed, as some have suggested, she said: 'I think it's really difficult to ride back from it, but I don't see how we're going to pay for it. I would be really concerned you would start something you can't finish. 'I suspect it will be scaled back and it won't be quite what it is now — and that might not necessarily be a bad thing.' 'We're expecting it to be a cheaper version' How to most effectively execute the street's pedestrianisation with minimal disruption to businesses and residents in the city centre has been a long-running debate in the capital. 'I think about 20 years ago I was attending meetings about this,' said David Hunter, convener of Living Streets Edinburgh. 'One of the things I think is really unfortunate about George Street is there's been so many consultations and so many workshops, if nothing happens now it's very difficult to get people motivated to come and talk about the same topic they've talked about half a dozen or more times, often being told 'this time we're really going to do it'. So there's going to be diminishing engagement and trust.' Mr Hunter said it was an inescapable fact that 'money is going to be tight,' but added the plan for George Street suffered from the same problems as many major projects which are 'over-designed, over-engineered and too expensive'. He said: 'We can actually achieve quite a lot of improvements without spending 20, 30, 40 million pounds on schemes. 'Everyone is really a bit ashamed of George Street as it currently is in terms of how it could be. I think we're expecting, assuming some measure of pedestrianisation does go forward. I think we're expecting it to be a cheaper version. I think doing things quickly and cheaply has got a lot going for it.' Like Councillor Mowat, Mr Hunter believes the cycleway should be dropped from the street's redesign. 'If you make traffic volumes low enough you don't need a cycleway, it should be safe to cycle in,' he said. The council has ambitious plans for George Street - but rising costs could mean cutting back (Image: City of Edinburgh Council) 'Generally, rather than just saying you need a segregated cycleway everywhere, a more radical solution is to reduce traffic to the levels people can cycle safely on the road. 'I would rather see a 90, 95% pedestrianised George Street that is overwhelmingly a pedestrian space for people to walk and wheel, rather than a street with a kind of cycle superhighway going through it. 'We have to be pragmatic about this.' 'This is the flagship street of the New Town' If works eventually commence, the diverse array of businesses and organisations operating on George Street will be most affected by the street being dug-up block-by-block. Dr William Duncan, who represents their views as chair of the George Street Association, said they've 'consistently been supportive' but a 'cloud of uncertainty' has hung over the scheme for years now. His advice to the council is 'spend the money now and spend it wisely'. 'I think the project has to go ahead,' he said. 'And corners will only build up future costs. 'If cutting back means cutting back on what happens underneath the roads and pavements, it's just building up problems for the future. 'Otherwise you're just going to have constant piecemeal disruption to the road. Because the city council's control over how utilities do that is limited and that's to do with statutory powers. The risk is that within a few months of a completed project things are being dug up again, there isn't the reinstatement back to the quality materials. 'If you're going to have a period of disruption of at least two years, if not a bit longer, people will be prepared to put up with the pain involved in that if they can then see a period of stability, it's been done well. What would be very unfortunate is a situation where each block of the street is done piecemeal and then we'll have to wait for more funding.' 'This is the flagship street of the New Town; it's the street they named after the King, it's the centre of a World Heritage Site. It needs to convey the message that it's been done. Read more: 'I think everyone understands that having cars coming into the city centre is no longer the direction of travel. The question is at what pace can you make these changes? What's also quite important is that there isn't just a big void in the middle of George Street and that it's a place where people feel they want to come to, where people feel they can relax.' Under the operational plan for a transformed George Street agreed by councillors in 2023, essential vehicle access such as for deliveries, servicing and licensed taxis will be given access during morning and evening hours and controlled by automated bollards. Private hire vehicles will be restricted from accessing George Street at all times, while exemptions will be permitted for coaches, minibuses and other vehicles deemed necessary to support the needs of hotels and places of worship. Blue badge holders will still have access 24/7 and will still be able to park in disabled bays on the street. Dr Duncan said this represented a 'huge improvement to the operational plan from when it was first mooted'. 'It was basically going to get rid of all the traffic from George Street, only emergency and blue badge holders - very little access. 'It's also got to be recognised that a lot of the buildings here are old, they need care and maintenance. That means trades have got to get to them, and you can't just say 'there will be no traffic whatsoever in the street'. 'It's how you also create an ambience where occasional vehicles that have to get into the street, cyclists and pedestrians can all feel they've got safety. 'Change of use won't suit everyone but we have to create a street after all the turmoil of the work that's done that really works well, that everyone thinks looks good, but actually isn't just a historic piece, is something that is a vibrant part of the city centre. He said the Transient Visitor Levy (TVL), which it is expected could raise an additional £50m for the city by the end of the decade, is a 'welcome addition to the funding available' however pointed out this was 'not yet a stabilised form of income'. 'The levy is going to largely come from people in the city centre. They need to feel that somehow there is something they are contributing to. 'The council is now looking for a multiplicity of funders,' he added. 'A potential funder is to do with the heritage. I think they will have to do an optimisation situation where those people who fund it feel they are getting their bit out of it. I think it will be quite difficult to persuade people this is a heritage project if it doesn't maintain the quality of the heritage.' 'The council lost control' Although the transformation may narrowly secure sufficient political and business support to proceed, questions remain about its broader public appeal. Chair of the New Town and Broughton Community Council, Peter Williamson, said he didn't think the proposals 'have ever had a lot of support'. The council has proposed pressing on with the pedestrianisation project despite funding uncertainty (Image: Gordon Terris) He said: 'I think people have got slightly sucked into once the ball starts rolling, you've got to get on the pitch and start playing. But you may not like the rules. 'My impression being outside certain people within the council there wasn't a sort of great lot of cheering and foot stamping for this. 'The council seemed to lose control because people started putting in bids for trees, certain types of pavings, kerbs that could be used by people with sight impairment and so on. At that point I think it all began to feel a bit of a mess. 'But the big issue is where's the money going to come from? And we think the council has embarked on a whole lot of major projects and hasn't really got any access to funds to support them. But obviously getting rid of the parking etcetera would open it up. 'Our board position is the council is going for these grand schemes, but is then ignoring maintenance of pavements, streets. So great, you're doing George Street, but if you walked along Rose Street, it's a disgrace. 'The council should concentrate on getting what currently exists up to a reasonable standard.'
