A new bus lane trial in Edinburgh is causing major disruption to small businesses and concerns that it could force some to close.
Shops, cafés and restaurants in the Jock’s Lodge area say the longer operating time for the bus-only lanes is hampering loading and unloading and making the day-to-day running of their businesses more difficult.
The 7-7-7 bus lane trial – 7am to 7pm seven days a week – came into force on 12 October at a costof £282,000 to council taxpayers.
Nikki Boyd, who runs Nikki’s Fleurs on Wolseley Place, is leading a campaign to scrap the extension warning that her business could go under in 18 months unless the scheme is dropped.
She said she now has a half an hour window to load her van with deliveries, many which are large, heavy flower arrangements for funerals.
“The other day we parked down a side street and had to walk two at a time to carry the funeral tributes all the way down the road,” she told The Scotsman. “Funeral directors have strict deadlines. Weddings have scheduled delivery times. Customers expect their orders to arrive when promised.”
Writing on a campaign blog, she said: “Edinburgh Council promotes 20-minute neighbourhoods and thriving local communities. Local shops and services are a fundamental part of that. Transport improvements should support those businesses — not make it harder for them to survive.
“We are asking Edinburgh Council to reconsider the proposed 7am–7pm restrictions, properly consult the businesses and residents directly affected, and retain sensible loading and access arrangements throughout the day.”
A neighbouring business had stopped operating on Deliveroo because drivers were worried about coming to the area to pick up deliveries.
Iain Whyte, leader of the Conservative group on the council, said passing trade will also be severely affected – especially on Saturdays when the bus lane restrictions did not apply.
“This is a trial without purpose,” he said. “Those pushing it overrode officer views that the bus lanes were just fine and voted it through despite there being no evidence that it would meaningfully help bus times.
“Lothian Buses are on record that the bulk of the congestion that delays buses is at junctions, and the bus lanes stop short. Better traffic management, better managed roadworks and an end to the relentless push for traffic lights everywhere might help more.
“For drivers this will mean confusing bus lane hours. The rest of the city will remain on the harmonised peak hours that only operate Monday to Friday and have been successfully in place since 2015. I foresee more of those hefty fines and, to add insult to injury, the changes were imposed on Monday before all the new signage was in place.
“As with everything in public life, the council has a duty to consult you on the changes but they are doing that in a sneaky way. The bus lane changes are an “Experimental traffic Regulation Order” where the consultation takes place after the changes have been made. Are they likely to ditch it all after the initial six months when it is wasting £282k of your money?”
Edinburgh City Council has been contacted for comment.
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