Residents fear gridlock if housing plans get go-ahead

RESIDENTS have told of their fear of gridlock at one of the Capital’s busiest junctions if housing plans are given the 
go-ahead.

Members of Cammo Residents Association (CRA) said a proposal in the Edinburgh Local Development Plan to build up to 700 new houses on local agricultural land would create safety risks and restrict access to homes by boosting traffic to unsustainable levels.

Association leaders also criticised the level of communication from city planning chiefs and said public opinion was being ignored.

CRA chair Gary Bennett said: “Traffic congestion at the Barnton junction is really bad, particularly at rush hour, and is set to get worse if around 1400 new houses planned for north of the Maybury junction go ahead.

“Adding further to the volume of traffic by proposing a further 700 houses at the 
Barnton end of the Maybury Road is irresponsible.”

But planning chiefs insisted that residents’ concerns had been taken on board. A spokeswoman said: “Transport actions have been identified which we believe are adequate to support the development of the Plan’s proposals.”