This is a message from Spokes to members known to work in health... A. NEW CAR PARK + PATH TO CRAIGMILLAR - opportunity?? A planning application has been submitted to Edinburgh Council to create a new car park, as a precursor to building the new RHSC. The car park will contain 815 spaces to replace the existing carpark which will be built over, plus an additional 361 spaces for users of the RHSC. The application mentions nothing in relation to cycling, even in its 16-page 'transport statement,' although it includes a pedestrian route from the car park to the main hospital entrance. The application is number 10/00320/FUL. You can view it online from the City Council Planning Portal at... http://citydev-portal.edinburgh.gov.uk/publicaccess/tdc/tdc_home.aspx Click on Application Search, then enter the above reference number. Then see the basic application details under the first tab, and all the maps and documents under the final tab 'Associated Documents.' *** To comment on the application, click on the 'Submit comments' button. *** Closing date for comments - 12 March. *** You could also contact the officer dealing with the application - Kevin.Murphy@edinburgh.gov.uk. You may wish to comment re bike parking. But perhaps most importantly, this might also be an opportunity to get the long-overdue replacement of the dreadful offroad path to the site from Craigmillar. If that path concerns you, we strongly suggest you object to this application being granted unless it includes a proper cycle link to the site. You could argue that the park will bring yet more cars, thus adding to the danger for cycle access via the roads and increasing the need for a good quality offroad cycle access. You may be aware that the Council is to upgrade the route from Craigmillar Castle Road to the Innocent Railway in the next few months (including a traffic-light-controlled crossing of Niddrie Mains Road) so the NRIE access track/steps will be the only hindrance to an excellent safe route. Doubtless the promoters will argue that cycling issues aren't relevant to this application - but in commenting you might wish to quote from the new Scottish Government 'Scottish Planning Policy' document, which councils are meant to follow on planning decisions. It is at www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2010/02/03132605. It has many useful quotes, such as [in para 169] ... “Cycle routes and, where relevant, cycle parking and storage should be safeguarded and enhanced wherever possible.” and “Opportunities for personal travel should be prioritised by mode in the following order – walking, cycling, public transport, car and other motorised vehicles” "Accessibility issues ... should be part of the design and planning processes from the outset." Spokes would be pleased to have a copy of any objections submitted. B. OLD DALKEITH ROAD CYCLE LANES - update The saga of the plans to improve bus and cycle lanes between Cameron Toll and NRIE continues - with good and less good news. However, overall the scheme promises to be a big improvement on the present situation. As you probably know, the council decided some months ago not to go ahead with an offroad bus and cycle lane northbound on the approach to Cameron Toll as that greatly increased the cost of the scheme. Due to the cost, that decision is irrevocable, so even if you don't like it, it's not worth complaining about! The less good news - as a result of the above, the road will remain its present width. This means that the previously intended cycle lane outside the parked cars at the garage just after Cameron Toll will not be provided. This decision is extremely unlikely to be changed, as the money is no longer there. However, instead, the council will introduce parking restrictions on that stretch, with no waiting Mon-Fri 7.30-6.30 and no loading Mon-Fri in peak hours. Also the cycle lane will be extended back slightly to start immediately after the bus stop. The excellent news - the council has managed to identify offstreet parking for nos.87 and 89, near the recycling centre, and so the cycle lane at that point will now have double-yellow lines. Many people had contacted the council about this, so thanks if you were one of them! If you have any queries on the above, the officer dealing with it is Len.Vallance@edinburgh.gov.uk, and should be contacted very soon. The Orders to make possible the new scheme are likely to be advertised for objections in a couple of months time. There are sure to be objections from people who want to retain car parking on OD Road, so it would be very helpful at that time for people to write in support. We hope to notify members at that time.