Latest news with #ETRO
Edinburgh Reporter
12-05-2025
- General
- Edinburgh Reporter
Council defers approving permanent traffic measures on London Road
Some of the measures introduced under Spaces for People during the pandemic are still not officially permanent after a decision was deferred by councillors on Monday. At a meeting of the Traffic Regulation Orders Sub-Committee, two Experimental Traffic Regulation Orders (ETROs) were included on the agenda for the sub-committee to declare the arrangements permanent. But councillors approved only one – that affecting Cockburn Street, High Street, South St David Street, Victoria Street and West Bow and Waverley Bridge. In respect of the other – ETRO 21/28A which includes segregated cycling measures (the black and white wands) introduced on London Road – a decision has been deferred until the next meeting of the sub-committee, as funding still has to be allocated. A council officer confirmed that the actual arrangements on the road may be changed in response to the objections received. The council report states that 'consideration will be given to upgrading the temporary materials used during the trial to permanent materials'. An officer confirmed this will be a rolling programme, and he explained that given the number of schemes and the extent of them they could not yet say what will be done at every location, but that they intend to have money allocated each year over the next five years for upgrading. Convener Cllr Margaret Graham asked about the objections to the cycle lane on London Road in particular, and how the officers had monitored traffic there. The council officer confirmed there had been cycle counts on London Road with cameras, and said the council has also carried out monitoring of the volume of traffic, looking specifically at the build outs at bus stops where cyclists have to move out into the middle of the road. He confirmed that in a permanent scheme the council would remove the bus build outs and the cycle lane would then continue straight avoiding the need for cyclists to 'weave in and out' to improve safety. One of the objections raised by New Town and Broughton Community Council (NTBCC) in the autumn of last year was the impact on road safety for cyclists – where the cycle lane has gaps – meaning that cyclists have to rejoin the carriageway at several points. Cllr Kevin Lang said: 'I am very conscious of the objections which we have had, which relate to safety, which I think we need to take seriously. We do not have clarity yet as to whether there will be the funding allocated to upgrade the infrastructure to respond to the objections. It strikes me as sensible to defer a decision on these matters until we, as a committee, can be satisfied that there will be a response to the objections. I feel the funding package is a material consideration for me as to whether the objections are being adequately responded to.' After Cllr Lang asked what the budget for this year would be it became clear that the funding had not yet been fixed – and would not be until the Transport and Environment Committee met on 22 June to agree the new ten year capital programme. The committee also heard from Dave Sinclair, Locality Transport & Environment Manager, that the highest spec of bollard was chosen at the point of delivery – the black and white wands which NTBCC has suggested are inappropriate for the World Heritage Site. Given the uncertainty of how much money there will be for delivery, and so how these wands could be replaced, councillors agreed to defer making any decision until their next meeting. Watch the webcast of the meeting here. Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Reporter
11-05-2025
- General
- Edinburgh Reporter
Council's Traffic Regulation Orders Sub-Committee meets on Monday
This committee was set up to be completely separate (apart from a handful of councillors who are members of both this and the Transport committee) and to decide upon the traffic orders which change the layout of our city streets. The meeting on Monday has what looks like a lightweight agenda, but the New Town and Broughton Community Council (NTBCC) would beg to differ. The community council has written an article on their website which is almost an open letter or a replacement for a deputation – since they are not able to make a deputation to this quasi-judicial meeting. They say they have significant concerns about the council planning to make some experimental traffic regulation orders permanent. NTBCC have concerns about the request to the committee to make Experimental Traffic Regulation Orders (ETROs) in two places permanent – on Waverley Bridge and on London Road. The community council believes the issues which they raised previously have not been properly addressed in the report before the committee and ask for it to reconsider what it might make permanent. Waverley Bridge The bridge was previously more or less a pedestrian zone apart from a taxi stand and the many delivery vehicles which continued to use it. It used to be stopped up at Princes Street where buskers had an unofficial ready-made performance space. In light of the continuing work at Jenners which spills out onto one lane of South St David Street, the decision was made to allow airport buses back onto the bridge and open up the road at Princes Street on a temporary basis. The community council argue that this made streets such as Waterloo Place busy with buses to the danger of pedestrians. They also point out that there are two regulation orders which do not end on the same date and recommend that these are amended. Loading… London Road This is possibly one of the widest streets in Edinburgh – it used to have four lanes of traffic – and there are wide areas either side for pavements and verges. The council chose to put in black and white wands (NTBCC say these are unusable in the World Heritage Site) and create a segregated cycle lane. Except it is not completely segregated as cyclists have to rejoin the carriageway at several points to avoid bus stops and junctions. The community council say that Montrose Terrace and Regent Road would have been the better option. They point out that the cycle lanes are not well used (although the council has not provided data on the use of this route) and are not connected to other cycling infrastructure. The community council refer to the coach parking at Baxter's Place just down from the Playhouse which they say is connected to the loss of parking on London Road. They also object to the ETRO on the basis that the measures do not help cyclists or pedestrians and have a detrimental impact on surrounding streets. Loading… The papers for the committee meeting are here on the council website. Like this: Like Related
Glasgow Times
01-05-2025
- Automotive
- Glasgow Times
Ban from driving around four East Dunbartonshire schools
East Dunbartonshire Council said four education hubs in the area will now permanently be 'traffic-free' zones. It follows the implementation of a successful pilot scheme that aimed to increase child and pedestrian safety. READ MORE: Pair rushed to hospital after incident involving 'car and bus' in Glasgow Councillors agreed to make the Traffic-Free Schools initiative permanent at Clober Primary School in Milngavie, Craighead Primary School in Milton of Campsie and the shared St Matthew's and Wester Cleddens Primary School campus in Bishopbriggs. They made the decision after hearing about the impact the scheme has had on improving road safety and the surrounding environment outside the schools. Ban from driving around four East Dunbartonshire schools (Image: Supplied) The 'Traffic-Free Schools' is an initiative where driving is prohibited on sections of road immediately outside the entrance to schools, for a short period at the start and end of the school day. It aims to improve safety by reducing the volume of vehicles parked and moving around at the busiest areas for children and adults accessing the school. READ MORE: Pictures show motor badly damaged after 'crashing into Glasgow bus' The local authority said the pilot scheme, which began in November 2023, prohibited driving on selected roads adjacent to the schools between 8.30am and 9.15am and 2.30pm and 3.15pm on Mondays to Fridays during term time via an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO). During the pilot, 'detailed monitoring' was carried out with traffic counts, parking surveys, and Q&AS with parents, carers, school staff, and local residents. According to the council, the monitoring revealed that the volume of vehicle traffic significantly reduced at all three locations in the morning and afternoon, with reductions of up to 76% counted at Clober Primary School in the morning. Meanwhile, the number of parents and carers stopping and parking directly outside the school entrances also saw a large decrease, with reductions of up to 78% and 79% recorded in the morning at Craighead Primary School and at the shared restricted zone at St. Matthew's Primary School and Wester Cleddens Primary School, respectively. READ MORE: Detectives hunting for red motor after incident on street Councillor Ferretti said, 'The Council is committed to improving road safety and the surrounding environment outside schools for pupils, carers and neighbouring residents, and the Traffic-Free Schools project has transformed the journeys to school for so many of our pupils. 'The project has helped make it more attractive for walking, wheeling and cycling, thereby encouraging more journeys to be made in this way. 'As well as creating a calmer environment at the school gate and making roads safer, it has also helped to reduce the pollution that would previously have been breathed in by our young people on the way to school. 'The pilot was well-supported by parents, carers and local residents, with three-quarters of those who responded to our survey supporting the pilot restrictions being made permanent. 'A fifth of all parents and carers also said they had changed their main mode of travel, with 66% of this group saying they walk more to and from school, with 45% using the car less since the project has been in place, which is very positive news. 'Council officers will now begin work to select three additional schools to participate in Phase 2 of the project, which will be brought back to the Place Neighbourhood & Corporate Assets Committee for consideration.' A spokesperson for East Dunbartonshire Council added: "Since the project has been in place, a higher proportion of parents/carers, school staff and local residents felt that the roads around the schools were safe or very safe, and were a good environment for active travel, with traffic levels which were about right, while also being less likely to have concerns about traffic speeds, air quality and noise levels around the schools." Meanwhile, Catriona Marshall, Head Teacher at Clobber Primary School, revealed she was pleased with the results of the project. She said: 'There are obvious health and mental wellbeing benefits for children who walk, cycle or scoot to school, but the scheme has also created a safer environment for the children around the school as the volume of vehicle traffic has significantly reduced. 'Many parents and pupils have told me how much of a difference the lack of traffic around the school has made. "The journey to and from school is now more pleasant for everyone.' Access will be maintained at all times for permit holders (including residents and local businesses), blue-badge holders and permitted vehicles, including: Emergency workers, health visitors and carers. School buses and contract taxis. Postal and delivery vehicles. Utility company vehicles serving properties in the area. Council vehicles such as bin lorries. Vehicles to be used in connection with wedding and funeral operations. The council spokesperson added: "Anyone violating these restrictions will be committing an offence and eligible for a £50 fixed fine from Police Scotland, who will be responsible for enforcing the scheme. "Existing parking restrictions remain unaffected, while residents and local businesses automatically received one vehicle permit per property with the option to apply for more, free of charge."
BBC News
24-03-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Everton stadium parking zone plans on hold after controversy
A controversial raft of parking restrictions around Everton's new football stadium has been suspended after complaints from business owners. An Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) had been imposed within a half-hour walking radius around the stadium at Bramley Moore dock - including heavy restrictions for on-street parking. Business owners in the streets around the stadium said they were astonished to learn the restrictions would apply all year round - not just on match days - and some claimed they would cause them to go Monday, Liverpool City Council said the restrictions were being paused until August in the areas where businesses would be most affected. The council said the temporary postponement would take effect along the city's waterfront from its northern end by Canada Dock down to the Leeds Street area of the city centre boundary, and eastwards across to the Pumpfields district. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on BBC Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram, and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
BBC News
06-03-2025
- Business
- BBC News
New Everton stadium parking plan changes 'don't go far enough'
Planned tweaks to parking rules near Everton's new stadium do not go far enough, worried business owners have of the Toffeemen moving into their new stadium this summer, Liverpool City Council introduced parking restrictions within a 30-minute walking radius of the Bramley-Moore Dock Market owner Paul Blair said takings had dropped 47% within the first week of the new rules being in council, which earlier this week announced some amendments to the rules following feedback, said the consultation process was ongoing. 'Driving businesses away' Under the new restrictions, parking is limited 365 days a year, not just on matchdays."There's about 3,000 business that operate their businesses here," Mr Blair said."The council has not thought them at all in any planning for this."Initial restrictions introduced in February saw street parking limited to one complaints, this has been extended in some areas to two Blair said that was still not enough and warned that long-established companies were being forced out by the council's actions."They are definitely driving existing businesses away," he said."Some have been here for over 50 years and now they are essentially being forced out."Mr Blair, who opened Blackstock Market nine months ago, said he would not have invested in the area had he have known about the plans to restrict parking. "The first week of restrictions being introduced... our week-on-week sales were down 47%," he businessman said there was "no need" for the parking restrictions to apply every day."We need removal of the non-matchday restrictions," said Mr Blair. Meanwhile, Downland Bedding's managing director Fraser Smith said he had already lost members of staff who had cited parking problems as a reason for leaving the family-owned business on Blackstock Street."It will definitely deter people from coming to work here," he said."We were established in 1946 ... we've been here a long time, employing tens of thousands of people over the years in what is known as a deprived area."There has not been enough consultation. We have objected in writing and have had no response."I think there is a lot of focus on the football club and not enough focus on the many, many thousands of business in the area that will be severely impacted."Why would you want to punish businesses every day when it will only impact Everton for maybe up to 50 days of the year?"Liverpool City Council recently said its Experimental Traffic Road Order (ETRO) would remain under review over the next 18 months and further changes could Dan Barrington, cabinet member for transport, said: "A key aim of the Experimental Zone is tackling the problem of commuter parking 365 days a year, as well as illegal and unsafe parking on double yellow lines and pavements."These issues impact the area all year round and it's vital we get this right to support its economic development and to tackle congestion, especially as more businesses set up here and more residential schemes are developed." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on BBC Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram, and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
