While politicians move towards the possibility of using part of Leith Walk as a tram corridor, they are keen to make it a safer place for cyclists.
They tried armadillos but although these were quite liked by cyclists, they were broken by trucks delivering to shops in the area, and then lifted up completely.
Now the cycle lanes will be delineated with kerbs laid back to back with collapsible bollards between them in what is believed to be the first of its kind in Scotland.
After discussion with the local community they will be installed on the east and west side of Leith Walk at Pilrig Street and the east side of Leith Walk at Brunswick Road by MacKenzie Construction.
As well as these ‘delineators’ some parts of the road will be repaired with additional safety markings on the cycleway by Leith programme Phase 4 contractor Crummock.
Transport Convener Councillor Lesley Macinnes said: “We want to make sure our roads are as safe as they possibly can be for everyone who uses them, which is why we’ve worked very hard with the community and walking and cycling organisations to find the right solution to replace the armadillos. Similar cycleway delineators have been successfully used in other cycle-friendly cities and we’re confident they’ll work well on Leith Walk.”
The council is keen to point out that they are using the same traffic management sub-contractor throughout the works to minimise traffic disruption.
The Programme of construction works will be as follows:
- 18 April – 20 April: Crummock undertaking remedial works to road surfacing defect on the northbound lane at Pilrig Street junction
- 23 April – 4 May: MacKenzie Construction undertaking works to install cycleway delineators at the locations noted above
- 23 April – 4 May: (for a period of up to 2 weeks) Crummock undertaking further defect remedial works at various locations between Iona Street and Brunswick Street
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