Transport chiefs plan drive to ban traffic on the Shore

CARS would be banned from the Shore under plans being drawn up to breathe new life into the historic area.

The proposal, 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.

Campaign group Greener Leith said the most popular suggestion from locals taking part in an ongoing travel survey was to ban traffic from the Shore.

The group's Alastair Tibbitt said: "From our point of view, we are delighted that the motion (calling for pedestrianisation plans] has been put forward.

"But there are a number of different options the council could look at, including making it fully pedestrianised at the weekend or making it a one-way street."

He added: "When the tram comes, lots of buses are going to disappear, so they need to think about how to make the Shore a destination."

• Is the move to ban traffic from the Shore at Leith a good idea? Vote here

Luke Morgan, manager of Fishers restaurant, said the council should go one step further, adding that the prospect of having no traffic at all on the street would be "fantastic".

He said: "If we could get tables and chairs out across the road rather than just the pavement, it would make the Shore a real destination.

"At the moment, all the restaurants are confined to the pavement. Having it fully opened up would be fantastic."

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, which agreed to divert the number 22 bus for the day.

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

Councillor Gordon Mackenzie, the city's transport leader, said: "Following the success of the car-free day last September, I had a positive meeting with the Friends of the Water of Leith and Councillor Thomas.

"I was pleased to support Marjorie's motion and look forward to taking the proposals to the next stage."

The council last year commissioned a feasibility study looking into plans for a pedestrianised Princes Street for when the trams are up and running.