Wheels put in motion for traffic ban bid

Published on Friday 23 July 2010 11:26

PLANS to ban cars from a historic city street have moved a step closer after the council announced plans to carry out traffic modelling exercises.

The proposal for the Shore, which would see traffic limited to buses and bikes, follows on from the success of a car-free day held there last year.

The move has already won the backing of local businesses and campaigners, and a council motion by Councillor Marjorie Thomas calling for a feasibility study has won the backing of the city's transport leader.

Now the council is set to carry out a public consultation on the proposal to remove through traffic between Sandport Place and Bernard Street.

There will also be a traffic modelling exercise, with a further report going before the city's transport committee.

Last September a council-backed car-free day gave local people a glimpse of what life would be like without traffic.

The We Love Leith initiative received widespread public support and gained the backing of the city council.

It came after local group Friends of the Water of Leith complained about the increasing levels of traffic, including buses and HGVs, in the area.