Edinburgh set to reinstate key left turn to ease city centre congestion as hundreds of motorists ignore sign
- Perry Richardson
- May 18, 2024
- 2 min read
Edinburgh's traffic management is set to u-turn on a controversial left turn ban from Leith Walk onto London Road. The decision comes after evidence showed increased congestion and delays to public transport, making it a pressing concern for the city's commuters.
Following the implementation of the Trams to Newhaven project, a review of the London Road and Picardy Place junctions was conducted. Initially, the city's strategy included a ban on left turns to reduce saturation and enhance pedestrian and cyclist safety. However, this led to unintended consequences, notably increased congestion around Picardy Place, impacting public transport efficiency.
The original ban on left turns, enforced since December 2022, aimed to streamline traffic and increase safety. Despite this, the restriction led to significant detours through busy junctions, notably around Picardy Place. The disruption was clear: over 900 drivers ignored the ban in just one week, leading to several incidents, including damaged bollards and a pedestrian collision.
City planners are now poised to reintroduce the left turn, following a detailed analysis and consultation with key stakeholders like Lothian Buses and Edinburgh Trams. The revised approach aims to maintain pedestrian and cyclist safety while addressing the critical issue of congestion. Key changes include:
A minimal 10-second left turn phase has been proposed, which should carefully balance with the existing pedestrian phases to maintain overall traffic flow without compromising safety. Continuous monitoring of the junction's performance also aims to ensure that the changes lead to the desired improvements in traffic flow and public transport reliability.
The costs associated with these changes will be covered by the Council's capital budget, ensuring that the financial impact is managed effectively.
The Transport and Environment Committee will have the opportunity to approve these changes later this month, with implementation scheduled under the existing Temporary Traffic Regulation Order. A permanent Traffic Regulation Order will be pursued to ensure long-term stability and effectiveness.
