Leader: ‘For some, the walk will be far from ideal’

Published on 14/06/2012 12:00

MANY readers have already contacted us through our Facebook page, Twitter feed, Letters page and website to tell us how frustrated they are at plans to ban taxis from Waverley Station.

The majority are upset that the possibility of a terror attack could lead to a change that will inconvenience thousands of people every day. Why should the fanaticism of a handful of criminals affect the lives of the 99.9 per cent of decent people?

An argument could be made that as a society we accept such risks and we don’t kowtow to fear.

But the time for that has passed – previous attacks both in Scotland and elsewhere have already led to big changes in the way we access air travel. The United Kingdom has decided it is right to minimise such risks to the public.

The question, therefore, is how we cope with such a change. For many people having to walk a little further won’t be too bothersome, indeed it might be a good thing.

But for the elderly, the infirm, or for those with young children, long walks to the ticket office and/or platform at Waverley will be far from ideal. Network Rail, to its credit, is receptive to the idea of a new drop-off point at New Street.

However, as an Evening News test today revealed, it takes six minutes and 17 seconds for a pregnant woman with a child to reach the main concourse. Our volunteer was left harassed and out of breath by the long walk through a crowded station.

It is essential that when this change is made that provision is made for easy access to all parts of the station for all types of people.

There is lots of talk at government level about making public transport available to all. This is a key test.

A flaming success

FASTER, higher, stronger. The Olympics seems to bring out something special in many of us. The Games may be London’s, but the sight of the Olympic flame being carried through the streets of Edinburgh and the Lothians has brought crowds out in their thousands.

And witnessing it going past has, in some inexplicable way, brought joy to men, women and children.

Huge crowds headed to Edinburgh Castle last night for the evening concert and even early this morning, hundreds lined the streets, cheering and smiling as the torch cavalcade headed through the Royal Mile, past the Scottish Parliament and out to Midlothian and the Borders. A true spectacle.