Residents of Edinburgh have taken to the streets, slamming controversial Road re-design Spaces for People for causing crashes along a busy road.
According to data, there have not been any crashes that involved pedestrians, bicyclists or drivers in the city of Lanark Road or Longstone Road between 2019 and 2020.
But since the £5million scheme was implemented in 2021 residents have witnessed at least five collisions, according to campaigners.
South West Edinburgh in Motion chair Professor Derryck Reid stated that CrashMap data showed an increase in road accidents.
Local councilors stated that something wasn’t right with the flagship program, which not only aims at making roads safer, but makes residents feel more unsafe.

According to data, there have been no accidents involving drivers or pedestrians on Longstone Road or Lanark Road in 2019. Pictured: Street skiers riding on the bike lane of the city

But since the £5million scheme was implemented in 2021 residents have witnessed at least five collisions, according to campaigners. Pictured is a woman walking on one of the newly constructed parts adjacent to a busy roadway.

South West Edinburgh in Motion chair Professor Derryck Reid stated that CrashMap data showed an increase in road accidents. Pictured: Traffic jammed in the city center due to this scheme

Local councillors stated that something wasn’t right with the flagship scheme. This is a plan to increase safety but make residents feel safer.
According to some reports, collisions included a woman cyclist falling off her bike because of the road surface and another cyclist knocking over an infant.
According to reports, the driver was ‘under the Influence’ and was confused by the arrangement. He rammed into the vehicle in the floating space and knocked it over a pavement and wall.
One vehicle left in floating parking spaces was hit in an alleged hit and run. A pedestrian refuge island was destroyed when the driver tried to dodge another vehicle.
Professor Reid stated that at most five collisions have been witnessed since the introduction of the scheme by the council in 2021.
He stated that these problems could be partly attributed to both the current poor road maintenance and the design of the new system.
“Seventeen weeks later, traffic islands remain unrepaired in unsafe conditions. This shows that there is no regard for the safety of pedestrians.

According to some reports, collisions included a woman cyclist falling off her bike because of the road surface and another cyclist knocking over an elementary-aged child.

The driver, who is not pictured, was said to be “under the influence” and was confused by the arrangement. Pictured: This is a man who walks on the narrow footpath between a cycle lane, busy roads.

One vehicle left in floating parking spaces was hit in an alleged hit-and-run, and a pedestrian refuge island was destroyed by the driver who allegedly tried to dodge another vehicle. Pictures: Changes in city center
Left: An old road that existed before any works. Right: What made the street more confusing?
SWEM claims that there should have been independent safety audits before the design was released. Prof Reid stated that it was possible to complete this task in just eight months.
“However, an independent safety audit wasn’t completed until several months later after the installation. From the beginning, residents raised concerns regarding safety.
Colinton/Fairmilehead Tory councillor Jason Rust said: ‘There is clearly something amiss when the council’s flagship policy which aims to make our roads safer, in fact results in local residents feeling less safe.
“I am concerned by the recent number of collisions and near misses as well as the failure to account for these in the council’s process.”
Lesley Macinnes, transport convener, stated that the council takes road safety and collisions very seriously.

Prof Reid claimed that there have been at least five collisions since 2021 when the traffic scheme was implemented by the Council. Photo: Traffic Scheme
Left: An old road that existed before any works. Right: What made the street more confusing?
She explained that “We all must follow the road’s conditions.” The fact that the alleged incident list also includes someone who was driving drunk and caused a lot of damage is an indication that that hasn’t been true.
“In actuality, these incidents demonstrate how critical it is for us to safeguard the safety and well-being of those walking or cycling on the route in which one cyclist tragically died.
We have always been clear that we were ready to accept the need to create an alternative for public transport, especially at a time of discouragement.
‘Officers did their best to implement this scheme. They performed the necessary audits for any urgent changes.
“This clear attempt to overthrow a thoughtfully thought out policy aiming at protecting public safety is based upon anecdotes. Many of these haven’t been reported to police. In some cases it involves criminal driving behavior.