Campaigners ready to deliver demands to transport leader

A TRANSPORT pressure group set up by campaigners against Edinburgh's congestion charge plans are to present a list of demands to council chiefs.

The Edinburgh Traffic Forum has been collecting views from community councils and other interested groups on Edinburgh transport issues since the congestion charge vote.

And tomorrow council transport leader Andrew Burns will meet the forum's leaders to hear their list of ideas and recommendations on a wide range of issues relating to traffic and transport in the Capital.

The forum was set up in April with the aim of channelling the anti-congestion charge campaign into one organisation.

Tina Woolnough, chairwoman of the forum, said: "The congestion charging referendum indicated the huge level of interest that Edinburgh residents have in all traffic and transport matters - if and when they are asked for their opinion.

"We are working hard to act as a conduit for public opinion, in the hope that some of our concerns may be listened to and acted upon."

The "wish list" includes ideas to improve bus services, address nuisance parking, and a citywide public information campaign to promote a courtesy code of conduct for all road users.

It also suggests that traffic and transport regulations should be better publicised and that improved communication should be ensured by council feedback, through a weekly traffic order list to be circulated to community groups. The list also recommends the provision of better cycle training at school, combined with a public information campaign targeting parents about the health and safety benefits of walking children to school.

Other ideas to be mooted include: implementation of cycle lanes around schools, greater transparency about council and Scottish Executive funding priorities and how they are organised and decided, and improved access to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and the Western General Hospital, from linked park and ride sites if necessary.

Ms Woolnough said that a common theme from the meetings with community groups had been the desire for pedestrian crossings or islands at all key public destinations.

"People often feel traffic and transport issues are sprung on them, and they'd like a better level of communication and a sense of fair play for all road users," she added.

Councillor Burns said: "As executive member for transport I meet many interest groups and individuals.

"This group invited me and I'm happy to go and talk with them. I hope it will be a constructive dialogue."

The forum has a mailing list of 180 groups and hopes to hold a public meeting in September.

To date, the forum has listened to traffic and transport suggestions at meetings of the Cramond Community Council, the Cockburn Association, Balerno Community Council, the Edinburgh Co-operative Party, Blackhall Community Association and Murrayfield Community Council.

More dates are in the diary for the rest of the year and Ms Woolnough said that the forum would be delighted to hear from other organisations and groups to include their input.

THE FACTS

THE Traffic Forum's "wish list" of transport improvements in Edinburgh includes:

Improved bus services (including Real Time bus signs that work, increased evening services, free bus transport for children when with an adult to encourage travel habits)

Solutions for poor parking

Citywide public information campaign to promote a code of conduct for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians

Pedestrian crossings/islands at all key public destinations

Park and ride service for north Edinburgh

Improved access to hospitals.