Greenway cameras - 'Don't forget the interest of drivers in this'

Some drivers may hate them, but Greenways have been one of the city's few success stories when it comes to encouraging people to leave their cars in favour of public transport.

The lanes have slashed journey times for buses and seen passenger numbers soar by up to 20 per cent.

But they only work properly when they are effectively monitored and the restrictions enforced.

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At the moment that only happens when a police spot-check is set up - and that is rare because officers quite rightly have better things to do with their time on duty.

The results of this lack of enforcement are hold-ups on the city's main public transport service, with half of Lothian Buses drivers reporting delays which are caused by cars jumping queues and encroaching on the Greenways.

So the council's plans for stricter management have to be a step in the right direction.

But questions have to be asked about whether spending up to 600,000 on five cameras is really the most effective use of public money at this time?

Even with fines of 60 a time for errant motorists, it will surely take years to put a dent in that sum.

And the interests of motorists should not be forgotten in all this, especially the majority who abide by the rules and leave the Greenways free, however tempting they are. At times when traffic is light and free-flowing, they should be allowed to use the bus lanes.

It is high time that the 7.30am to 6.30pm blanket ban on cars using these lanes was revisited, with restrictions limited to genuinely peak times on specific roads.

Anything else is simply a waste of the road space available and leaves private cars and trucks spewing out fumes in unnecessary queues.

Race for the prize

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statistics can be twisted in innumerable ways, and some need to be taken with a healthy dose of salt . . . or sea salt.

Such is the case with the estimate that Edinburgh's participation in the round-the-world Clipper race brought the city 6.5 million worth of publicity.

Cut through the PR spin and it is hard to justify this figure. But, still, the Capital clearly did benefit from taking part, not just in global impact but also in the adventure it brought to those in the crew.

A repeat performance will be a welcome lift to the city - especially if the organisers can bring the spectacular event to Leith too.

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