Achi news desk-
The route is used to make more than a thousand journeys every day by people walking and cycling through the city, and is part of Edinburgh’s active travel network.
It is also one of the only slices of green space that runs through the city’s urban surroundings and has been designated as a Local Nature Conservation Site.
But under the tramline plans it would all but disappear, with only a small, three meter wide section for pedestrians and wheelchair users remaining while cycling would be “suspended” and diverted to nearby roads.
Council documents show that the Roseburn Trail is now the preferred option for the tramline, despite the fact that it would involve “significant loss of trees” and would require significant replanting before it can be restored. its status as a natural haven for wildlife.
The proposal to run the scheme along the route is at odds with Edinburgh’s Biodiversity Action Plan, which identifies “linear habitat corridors” as a priority.
Those who use the path have spoken of it as a quiet refuge from the busy city streets which is hugely popular with Edinburgh residents and home to “bats, hedgehogs, rabbits and birds”.
A spokesman for campaign group Save The Roseburn Path said: “The Roseburn Path is a haven for wildlife and biodiversity, and a key active travel route away from busy roads.
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“Edinburgh residents of all ages use it to get out, spending time in nature. It’s a bit of peace in the middle of our busy city.
“The proposal to build a tram line on the Roseburn Trail threatens to destroy what it means to residents. The plans are completely at odds with Edinburgh’s key priorities on biodiversity, climate change and mental and physical well-being.”
In terms of active travel, data from Sustrans shows that the Roseburn Trail supports more than half a million active journeys a year. Having routes away from roads is so important for less confident or less experienced cyclists.”
This criticism was echoed by the Spokes Cycling Campaign, who described the recommendation to remove the Roseburn cycleway as “outrageous”, and one that makes a “mockery” of the Roseburn-Union Canal active travel project.
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Edinburgh’s trams began their controversial life amid delays and ballooning costs. The bill to build the line from Edinburgh Airport to York Place was more than double the initial amount initially earmarked by the then Labour-led Scottish Parliament administration, ultimately costing taxpayers £835.7 million over there
An investigation into the project, which took years longer than expected and cost millions, concluded that there was a “litany of avoidable failures” on the part of several parties responsible for ensuring that public money is spent effectively and that the scheme is in Edinburgh. The tram project was carried out efficiently.
Retired judge Lord Hardie, who chaired the inquiry, said: “Poor management and abdication of responsibility on a large scale has had a significant and lasting impact on the lives and livelihoods of Edinburgh’s residents, and the city’s reputation. ”
The Roseburn Route was chosen as the preferred option by the City of Edinburgh Council as it will speed up journeys between the City Center and Granton whilst also directly serving the Western General Hospital and improving links to Edinburgh Airport.
A public consultation on the plans is expected to take place in the coming weeks. Edinburgh Council’s Transport Convenor, Scott Arthur, has said that a one kilometer section of the Roseburn path will remain untouched by the project and that an “excellent walking route” will be maintained.
Previously, Mr Arthur said that the route is not suitable for cyclists to use 24 hours a day, especially women and children.
“I use it myself, but it’s not a route I would go along at night. As a city I think we have to aim for 24/7 cycleways,” he said.
“If we want people (especially women and young people) to be able to cycle safely 24/7, then the Roseburn Trail is not really the answer.”
Edinburgh Council has received a request for comments.
