TRYING TO ENSURE THAT CYCLING GETS PROPER COVERAGE IN THE EVENTUAL CONSULTATION ON THE FUTURE OF PRINCES STREET
Developments from Feb to July 2011

-----------------------------------------------------------------

At the 22 Feb 2011 Committee Cllr Steve Burgess raised our concerns, as in our briefing document to councillors on the Committee.  Cllr Burgess then told us...

"I raised your general concern about cycling not being given the prominence it enjoys in the Gehl report, in the CEC report and action plan. 
 
I was assured by the Head of Planning that  'it is not the intention that cycle lanes are squeezed out of this but are part of the solution'.
 
I got agreement from the committee to include a specific reference to 'Princes Street and surrounding' in section 4 of the action plan on the cycling network."

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Unfortunately in the next report to the Committee (10 May 2011), which contained a draft action plan for the city centre, the above promise to Cllr Burgess was not fulfilled - which we then pointed out to him (unfortunately too late for the committee meeting).

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Cllr Burgess then raised the omission with Dave Anderson, Director of City Development (which incorporates both planning and transport).

As a result Cllr Burgess received the following (on 21 July) from Karen Stevenson, who we understand to be the lead officer dealing with the Gehl report and the eventual public consultation....

"I have been passed your e-mail to the director, Dave Anderson, regarding the change to wording in the report on Princes Street that was presented at the 22 February committee. 
 
For some reason the change was not recorded in the minute from the committee meeting, but the Head of Planning remembers the discussion distinctly. The changes can be made easily and I apologise for not picking this up in time for the report being presented to the TIE committee.
 
I will make sure that the wording is altered in the version that is used for consultation."

--------------------------------------------------------------

So when the public consultation does eventually happen we are still expecting to see good quality provision for cycling in Princes Street as at least one of the options.

-----------------------------------------------------------------