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SpokesLothian
@spokes.org.uk
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Spokes, the Lothian Cycle Campaign:
fights for better conditions for everyday journeys by bike, particularly Edinburgh & Lothian. Also lobby Scot Gov.
We also encourage more councils, govt depts, politicians, professionals etc to move to bsky!
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spokes.org.uk
SpokesLothian @spokes.org.uk · 1d
🙋 Spokes Action-Update members' email circular

--> www.spokes.org.uk/wp-content/u...

includes:

#DundeeStreet (urgent!)
📈 #ClimateCrisis
🚲<-->🚉 #BikeRail

@edi.bike @blackfordsaferoutes.co.uk @merchistoncc.bsky.social @sccscot.bsky.social @helenrambler.bsky.social @edfoc.bsky.social @sw20.info
Join spokes to get on the mailing list for Action Update circulars... http://www.spokes.org.uk/membership/ start of circular... Spokes Action-Update 08.01.26 spokes.org.uk St Martins Centre, 232 Dalry Road EH11 2JG 0131.313.2114 bluesky: @spokes.org.uk 0. Finding your councillors In Edinburgh, find your ward & councillors by typing your postcode on this page [or edinburgh.gov.uk : Council & Committees : Find your Councillor]. Everyone has either 3 or 4 councillors, usually from assorted parties. For any Council, and to find MSPs, you can use writetothem.com. 1. Welcome to 2026! There’s a major article on our website on what we may expect for cycling-related development in Edinburgh in 2026. Some is pretty definite, some is ‘expected’ and some will depend on bids from the Council for Scottish Government active travel funding. The article includes...  A start to implementing the council’s ‘Primary Cycle Network’ of segregated routes on main roads. As the Council’s active travel delivery plan 2021-2030 rightly says, these “are usually the most direct, flattest and socially safe routes.“  Upgrading the Travelling Safely bollarded routes on Duddingston Road, Duddingston Road West, Seafield Street, A1 (including London Road)  A start on Dundee/Fountainbridge scheme (see 2 below) if consultation and traffic orders go relatively smoothly. Please respond by 12 January!!  Fully segregated onroad route Cameron Toll - Bioquarter  Meadows to Canal - Kings Theatre section work starts on Jan 12; main route construction due December 2026  Foot of Walk to Dock Street – completion & opening  Lothian Road boulevard – initial outline plans  A8, CCWEL cycling & bus facilities extension from Roseburn to Gogar – initial outline plans  7-7-7 Bus-lane experiment, Balerno to Musselburgh 6. New Train Fleets Transport Scotland is in the process of procuring two new train fleets... • long distance Inter-City trains to replace the existing HST fleet linking Edinburgh and Glasgow to Inverness and Aberdeen • local electric/battery hybrid trains for lines to Dundee via Fife Circle and for the Borders railway. Electrification work to Fife is about to start. Clearly the design of this new rolling stock will have a profound effect on bike/rail opportunities for years to come on routes affecting many journeys to/from our local area. It has been publicly stated that bike carriage will be included but, as far as we are aware, there has been no consultation on designs, or what types of bikes and accessories will be catered for. If you have views on what should be covered, please email your MSPs asking them to take up your concerns and get back to you. Send us any useful replies. Do consider mentioning the economic benefits of bike tourism, as this has been a winning argument in the past – for example in getting the West Highland bike coaches and retro-fitting the HST fleet to Inverness and Aberdeen. Note also that Spokes is looking for a new bike/rail campaigner – see 5.1 above. 4. Climate Emergency With world politics in turmoil, the growing climate emergency is often way down in public debate. Severe weather episodes hit the headlines briefly, but don’t bring long-term climate action. Yet, in Britain, 2025 was the hottest year on record [Met Office]. Heat and drought in 2025 cost UK arable farmers over £800m in lost crops, following 2024’s lost harvests caused by extreme, persistent rain leading to flooded and waterlogged fields. Internationally, the current tensions over Greenland are heightened by the melting of Arctic Ice, itself due to global heating, leading to new shipping routes and conflict over new sources of minerals and oil. UN Secretary General António Guterres has warned that “devastating consequences” are now inevitable. Nonetheless, efforts to pressurise politicians and energise the public by NGOs, scientists, those most affected and others, continue, and must continue... 4.1 Draft Scottish Climate Change Plan – consultation ends 29.1.26 + SCCS response The Scottish Government is consulting on its 2026-2040 Climate Change Plan. You may recall that the previous Plan (2018-2032) included the ‘commitment’ to cut car-km 20% by 2030. A commitment which later became a ‘target’ and which then in 2025 was scrapped altogether, despite government-commissioned research showing how it could be achieved. Stop Climate Chaos Scotland (SCCS) has submitted this response to the new consultation, and with a key-issues summary. On transport, whilst praising the Scottish Government’s intentions on EVs, they say it is “weak on both modal shift and increasing and improving public and active travel options. And there is no action to cut emissions from aviation or shipping.” WHAT YOU CAN DO • Please make your own response to the draft – it can be brief! SCCS has produced this excellent page of helpful advice on how to respond, and with other useful links. • Spokes hopes to respond to the consultation and, if you decide to send in your own detailed …
spokes.org.uk
🙋 Excellent discussion why it's vital to respond to the #DundeeStreet / #Fountainbridge consultn

consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/sfc/dundee-s...

.. ends TODAY, Mon 12 Jan

It's easy! Or, if short of time, email [email protected] with your view

@johnrobson87.bsky.social
January 12, 2026 at 10:41 AM
Reposted by SpokesLothian
edi.bike
🚲 edi.bike | issue 127 | 12th Jan '26

Dundee St & Fountainbridge Consultation closes today; Davidson’s Mains roundabout; Fundraiser for delivery rider, events, infrastructure, route closures & more:

https://buttondown.com/edi.bike/archive/edibike-issue-127-12th-jan-26/

#bikeSky #edinburgh

An icy streetscape of bare trees and an empty road, under a pale grey sky; the pavement and road are free of ice having been gritted, but a section of protected cycleway near the centre of the image has been left untouched and whitened with a layer of ice and frost. A blue ‘shared spaces’ sign is affixed to a lamppost depicting a pair of pedestrians and a bicycle.
January 12, 2026 at 9:35 AM
Reposted by SpokesLothian
spokes.org.uk
🙋 Spokes Action-Update members' email circular

--> www.spokes.org.uk/wp-content/u...

includes:

#DundeeStreet (urgent!)
📈 #ClimateCrisis
🚲<-->🚉 #BikeRail

@edi.bike @blackfordsaferoutes.co.uk @merchistoncc.bsky.social @sccscot.bsky.social @helenrambler.bsky.social @edfoc.bsky.social @sw20.info
Join spokes to get on the mailing list for Action Update circulars... http://www.spokes.org.uk/membership/ start of circular... Spokes Action-Update 08.01.26 spokes.org.uk St Martins Centre, 232 Dalry Road EH11 2JG 0131.313.2114 bluesky: @spokes.org.uk 0. Finding your councillors In Edinburgh, find your ward & councillors by typing your postcode on this page [or edinburgh.gov.uk : Council & Committees : Find your Councillor]. Everyone has either 3 or 4 councillors, usually from assorted parties. For any Council, and to find MSPs, you can use writetothem.com. 1. Welcome to 2026! There’s a major article on our website on what we may expect for cycling-related development in Edinburgh in 2026. Some is pretty definite, some is ‘expected’ and some will depend on bids from the Council for Scottish Government active travel funding. The article includes...  A start to implementing the council’s ‘Primary Cycle Network’ of segregated routes on main roads. As the Council’s active travel delivery plan 2021-2030 rightly says, these “are usually the most direct, flattest and socially safe routes.“  Upgrading the Travelling Safely bollarded routes on Duddingston Road, Duddingston Road West, Seafield Street, A1 (including London Road)  A start on Dundee/Fountainbridge scheme (see 2 below) if consultation and traffic orders go relatively smoothly. Please respond by 12 January!!  Fully segregated onroad route Cameron Toll - Bioquarter  Meadows to Canal - Kings Theatre section work starts on Jan 12; main route construction due December 2026  Foot of Walk to Dock Street – completion & opening  Lothian Road boulevard – initial outline plans  A8, CCWEL cycling & bus facilities extension from Roseburn to Gogar – initial outline plans  7-7-7 Bus-lane experiment, Balerno to Musselburgh 6. New Train Fleets Transport Scotland is in the process of procuring two new train fleets... • long distance Inter-City trains to replace the existing HST fleet linking Edinburgh and Glasgow to Inverness and Aberdeen • local electric/battery hybrid trains for lines to Dundee via Fife Circle and for the Borders railway. Electrification work to Fife is about to start. Clearly the design of this new rolling stock will have a profound effect on bike/rail opportunities for years to come on routes affecting many journeys to/from our local area. It has been publicly stated that bike carriage will be included but, as far as we are aware, there has been no consultation on designs, or what types of bikes and accessories will be catered for. If you have views on what should be covered, please email your MSPs asking them to take up your concerns and get back to you. Send us any useful replies. Do consider mentioning the economic benefits of bike tourism, as this has been a winning argument in the past – for example in getting the West Highland bike coaches and retro-fitting the HST fleet to Inverness and Aberdeen. Note also that Spokes is looking for a new bike/rail campaigner – see 5.1 above. 4. Climate Emergency With world politics in turmoil, the growing climate emergency is often way down in public debate. Severe weather episodes hit the headlines briefly, but don’t bring long-term climate action. Yet, in Britain, 2025 was the hottest year on record [Met Office]. Heat and drought in 2025 cost UK arable farmers over £800m in lost crops, following 2024’s lost harvests caused by extreme, persistent rain leading to flooded and waterlogged fields. Internationally, the current tensions over Greenland are heightened by the melting of Arctic Ice, itself due to global heating, leading to new shipping routes and conflict over new sources of minerals and oil. UN Secretary General António Guterres has warned that “devastating consequences” are now inevitable. Nonetheless, efforts to pressurise politicians and energise the public by NGOs, scientists, those most affected and others, continue, and must continue... 4.1 Draft Scottish Climate Change Plan – consultation ends 29.1.26 + SCCS response The Scottish Government is consulting on its 2026-2040 Climate Change Plan. You may recall that the previous Plan (2018-2032) included the ‘commitment’ to cut car-km 20% by 2030. A commitment which later became a ‘target’ and which then in 2025 was scrapped altogether, despite government-commissioned research showing how it could be achieved. Stop Climate Chaos Scotland (SCCS) has submitted this response to the new consultation, and with a key-issues summary. On transport, whilst praising the Scottish Government’s intentions on EVs, they say it is “weak on both modal shift and increasing and improving public and active travel options. And there is no action to cut emissions from aviation or shipping.” WHAT YOU CAN DO • Please make your own response to the draft – it can be brief! SCCS has produced this excellent page of helpful advice on how to respond, and with other useful links. • Spokes hopes to respond to the consultation and, if you decide to send in your own detailed …
January 10, 2026 at 1:01 PM
Reposted by SpokesLothian
andy-cox.bsky.social
I’ve seen first-hand the utter devastation road deaths cause — families shattered in seconds, lives permanently changed. To dismiss this as an “utter non-problem” is wrong and deeply offensive.

The acceptance of this devastation reflects a lack of knowledge and ambition. We can do so much better.
peterwalker99.bsky.social Peter Walker @peterwalker99.bsky.social · 3d
According to David Frost, a road casualty toll which involves an average of 80+ people *every single day* either dying or suffering injuries which could change their life forever is an "utter non-problem".
David Frost Car-hating Labour must stop the nonsense. Britain’s roads are among the world’s safest Fatal accidents are now so low that every further reduction will come at steadily increasing cost So obviously our Government has just launched a strategy, with the usual panoply of targets, plans and indicators, to deal with this utter non-problem. It’s obvious make-work for the transport minister, for the department’s civil servants, and for all the lobbyists and vested interests who hate cars and want to stop people moving around.
January 10, 2026 at 7:53 AM
Reposted by SpokesLothian
edinreporter.bsky.social
Bus and tram numbers increased last year

More passengers used buses and trams in Edinburgh last year. Some 130 million customer journeys were recorded by Lothian Buses and Edinburgh Trams. The number of journeys on the buses totalled 119 million which is an increase of 2.6% on the previous year.…
Bus and tram numbers increased last year
More passengers used buses and trams in Edinburgh last year. Some 130 million customer journeys were recorded by Lothian Buses and Edinburgh Trams. The number of journeys on the buses totalled 119 million which is an increase of 2.6% on the previous year. Edinburgh Trams broke all previous records with a growth of 3.3% amounting to 12.5 million customer journeys.
theedinburghreporter.co.uk
January 9, 2026 at 6:40 PM
spokes.org.uk
🙋 Spokes Action-Update members' email circular

--> www.spokes.org.uk/wp-content/u...

includes:

#DundeeStreet (urgent!)
📈 #ClimateCrisis
🚲<-->🚉 #BikeRail

@edi.bike @blackfordsaferoutes.co.uk @merchistoncc.bsky.social @sccscot.bsky.social @helenrambler.bsky.social @edfoc.bsky.social @sw20.info
Join spokes to get on the mailing list for Action Update circulars... http://www.spokes.org.uk/membership/ start of circular... Spokes Action-Update 08.01.26 spokes.org.uk St Martins Centre, 232 Dalry Road EH11 2JG 0131.313.2114 bluesky: @spokes.org.uk 0. Finding your councillors In Edinburgh, find your ward & councillors by typing your postcode on this page [or edinburgh.gov.uk : Council & Committees : Find your Councillor]. Everyone has either 3 or 4 councillors, usually from assorted parties. For any Council, and to find MSPs, you can use writetothem.com. 1. Welcome to 2026! There’s a major article on our website on what we may expect for cycling-related development in Edinburgh in 2026. Some is pretty definite, some is ‘expected’ and some will depend on bids from the Council for Scottish Government active travel funding. The article includes...  A start to implementing the council’s ‘Primary Cycle Network’ of segregated routes on main roads. As the Council’s active travel delivery plan 2021-2030 rightly says, these “are usually the most direct, flattest and socially safe routes.“  Upgrading the Travelling Safely bollarded routes on Duddingston Road, Duddingston Road West, Seafield Street, A1 (including London Road)  A start on Dundee/Fountainbridge scheme (see 2 below) if consultation and traffic orders go relatively smoothly. Please respond by 12 January!!  Fully segregated onroad route Cameron Toll - Bioquarter  Meadows to Canal - Kings Theatre section work starts on Jan 12; main route construction due December 2026  Foot of Walk to Dock Street – completion & opening  Lothian Road boulevard – initial outline plans  A8, CCWEL cycling & bus facilities extension from Roseburn to Gogar – initial outline plans  7-7-7 Bus-lane experiment, Balerno to Musselburgh 6. New Train Fleets Transport Scotland is in the process of procuring two new train fleets... • long distance Inter-City trains to replace the existing HST fleet linking Edinburgh and Glasgow to Inverness and Aberdeen • local electric/battery hybrid trains for lines to Dundee via Fife Circle and for the Borders railway. Electrification work to Fife is about to start. Clearly the design of this new rolling stock will have a profound effect on bike/rail opportunities for years to come on routes affecting many journeys to/from our local area. It has been publicly stated that bike carriage will be included but, as far as we are aware, there has been no consultation on designs, or what types of bikes and accessories will be catered for. If you have views on what should be covered, please email your MSPs asking them to take up your concerns and get back to you. Send us any useful replies. Do consider mentioning the economic benefits of bike tourism, as this has been a winning argument in the past – for example in getting the West Highland bike coaches and retro-fitting the HST fleet to Inverness and Aberdeen. Note also that Spokes is looking for a new bike/rail campaigner – see 5.1 above. 4. Climate Emergency With world politics in turmoil, the growing climate emergency is often way down in public debate. Severe weather episodes hit the headlines briefly, but don’t bring long-term climate action. Yet, in Britain, 2025 was the hottest year on record [Met Office]. Heat and drought in 2025 cost UK arable farmers over £800m in lost crops, following 2024’s lost harvests caused by extreme, persistent rain leading to flooded and waterlogged fields. Internationally, the current tensions over Greenland are heightened by the melting of Arctic Ice, itself due to global heating, leading to new shipping routes and conflict over new sources of minerals and oil. UN Secretary General António Guterres has warned that “devastating consequences” are now inevitable. Nonetheless, efforts to pressurise politicians and energise the public by NGOs, scientists, those most affected and others, continue, and must continue... 4.1 Draft Scottish Climate Change Plan – consultation ends 29.1.26 + SCCS response The Scottish Government is consulting on its 2026-2040 Climate Change Plan. You may recall that the previous Plan (2018-2032) included the ‘commitment’ to cut car-km 20% by 2030. A commitment which later became a ‘target’ and which then in 2025 was scrapped altogether, despite government-commissioned research showing how it could be achieved. Stop Climate Chaos Scotland (SCCS) has submitted this response to the new consultation, and with a key-issues summary. On transport, whilst praising the Scottish Government’s intentions on EVs, they say it is “weak on both modal shift and increasing and improving public and active travel options. And there is no action to cut emissions from aviation or shipping.” WHAT YOU CAN DO • Please make your own response to the draft – it can be brief! SCCS has produced this excellent page of helpful advice on how to respond, and with other useful links. • Spokes hopes to respond to the consultation and, if you decide to send in your own detailed …
January 10, 2026 at 1:01 PM
spokes.org.uk
#RoadSafetyStrategy @ukparliament.parliament.uk

promises 'cognitive test' as recommended by Inquiry following #XanderIrvine killed on #MorningsideRoad

@drscottarthurmp.bsky.social @liliangreenwood.bsky.social
@edi.bike @cllrbenparker.bsky.social @bjpaddy.bsky.social @livingstreetsedi.bsky.social
Parliament QA.. Scott Arthur Labour, Edinburgh South West I welcome the strategy published yesterday. It will save lives and, as a secondary impact, reduce insurance premiums, which is a non-trivial challenge for many people. I want to talk about the notion of a cognitive test that is set out in the strategy. In 2020, Xander Irvine, who was just three years old, was looking through a shop window in Edinburgh with his mother, when a car mounted the pavement, killing him and injuring his mother. The driver was aged 91 and she died around a year later of natural causes. Despite having dementia, she was able to renew her driving licence just a few months before the accident. The fatal accident inquiry was clear in its recommendation that cognitive tests should be introduced. I believe that all deaths on our roads are preventable; this death was absolutely preventable. The strategy talks about “developing options”, but will the Minister go further today and guarantee that we will deliver in this area? Will she go even further and talk about a timeline for delivering that change? Lilian Greenwood Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport), Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury I dealt with the prevention of future deaths report relating to the utterly heartbreaking case that my hon. Friend refers to. While there is not currently a suitable test of cognitive ability to drive safely, I recognise the need for us to do further work on the issue. We plan to reconvene the older drivers taskforce and expert groups on this subject to consider suitable options. I do not intend to delay—I intend to take evidence and to take action. BBC report, with picture of Xander... Woman, 91, who killed toddler should not have been driving - inquiry Young boy with shoulder length blonde hair, wearing a blue fleece sweater with dinosaurs, smiling standing in front of a patch of flowers.Image source, Police Scotland Published 22 October 2024 A 91-year-old woman with dementia who killed a toddler should not have been allowed to drive, an inquiry has ruled. Edith Duncan's Kia veered off Morningside Road in Edinburgh, hitting three-year-old Xander Irvine and his mother Victoria before crashing into a shop in June 2020. A fatal accident inquiry (FAI) said Mrs Duncan, who was charged over the crash and died in May 2021, had "significantly impaired cognitive ability" as a result of her illness and was unfit to drive or hold a driving licence. It called for the system that determines whether a person is fit to drive to be changed as a "matter of priority", requiring drivers over the age of 80 to take a cognitive test before their licence can be renewed.
January 10, 2026 at 12:45 PM
Reposted by SpokesLothian
spokes.org.uk
#EdTravCyc
spokes.org.uk SpokesLothian @spokes.org.uk · 2d
#KingsTheatre roadworks start Mon 12 Jan

🙋 Look out for signed 🚲 diversion (may vary at times)

Note: main Meadows-Canal work late 2026

@edi.bike @robbieainsworth.bsky.social @stephenjenkinson.bsky.social @cllrcmiller.bsky.social @finlaymcf.bsky.social @edfoc.bsky.social @thecockburn.bsky.social
Contractor letter with details of the works... Our Ref: HG/B62909 Monday 05 January 2026 FAO: Residents and Local Businesses Dear all, RE: King’s Theatre Public Realm Improvement Project Luddon Construction Limited have been appointed by the City of Edinburgh Council to carry out public realm improvements in your area. This project will deliver elements of the King’s Theatre redevelopment and the Council-led Meadows to Union Canal projects to improve walking, wheeling and cycling as well as access to the theatre. Work will start on Monday 12 January. To safely carry out the work, we will use temporary local restrictions on both pavements and roads. These will include: - closing Valleyfield Street at Leven Terrace for the duration of the project - closing Gilmore Place at Lochrin Buildings when needed during the initial phases, and for resurfacing work on Gilmore Place. Signs will show the diversion routes for road users. This will include a diversion for cyclists using the National Cycle Network route 75. Monday 12 January - start on the east side of Leven Street (red area highlighted overleaf). We are planning to finish the pavement work by Monday 2 March 2026. Monday 2 March to Friday 17 April - pavement work on the west side of Leven Street starts (blue area overleaf), moving southwards. We will make every effort to reduce disruption to residents and local businesses. The site team will keep you updated at each stage and make sure that you still have access to your property. The works will move along the street so that we are not working outside your property for the full duration. Access for emergency vehicles will be provided at all times. Refuse and recycling collections will continue as normal and will not be affected by the work. We apologise for any inconvenience these essential improvements may cause and thank you in advance for your patience and cooperation. We are confident the completed project will provide lasting benefits to residents and local busin… Council website page for Meadows to Canal Meadows to Union Canal In this section… Why we are improving walking, wheeling and cycling More information about the proposals Improving the area around the King's Theatre How we are consulting and engaging You are here: Next steps Next steps We are currently finalising the detailed designs of the route, which have been informed by feedback to the last consultation. We continue to engage with the local community and stakeholders, and are working closely with other nearby projects Improving Lothian Road Dalry Town Centre Dundee Street to Fountainbridge Construction is currently planned for the second half of 2026. This is dependent on the statutory orders having been processed by then. As part of the King’s Theatre refurbishment, we will deliver some parts ahead of the rest of the project, including better pavements and access in front of the Theatre. This is planned to finish in early 2026. Thank you page from Kings Theatre - picture of actors clapping A heartfelt thanks to all those who have helped to make the transformation of the King’s Theatre possible. Map of the eventual Meadows-Canal route, for your interest. Note: IT IS NOT THE CURRENT DIVERSION ROUTE !! The diversion route will be signed and may vary as the Kings Theatre works proceed. Meadows to Union Canal In this section… You are here: Why we are improving walking, wheeling and cycling More information about the proposals Improving the area around the King's Theatre How we are consulting and engaging Next steps Why we are improving walking, wheeling and cycling We are improving walking, wheeling and cycling between the Meadows and the Union Canal, following the route of National Cycle Network 75 (NCN75). We are also resurfacing some roads in the area. Improving the route will provide a safer journey for anyone walking or cycling and for those with restricted mobility. We will also improve public spaces along the route. We developed the design with significant input from key stakeholders and the local community. The most recent consultation was in 2019. As this was just before the COVID-19 pandemic, we had to pause the project until summer 2024. Benefits of developing this route The project will improve the connection between the Meadows and the Union Canal which are two key sections of the city’s active travel network and part of the National Cycle Network Route 75. It will provide a safe, direct route between the two cycle friendly destinations for all cyclists make it a more pleasant area to walk or wheel through encourage more people to choose walking, wheeling or cycling
January 9, 2026 at 4:38 PM
Reposted by SpokesLothian
blackfordsaferoutes.co.uk
Closes tomorrow, 10th Jan!

We believe that through-traffic should be removed in this area, with 2 nearby schools, several nurseries, and a University

Make sure you have your say!
merchistoncc.bsky.social Merchiston Districts Community Council @merchistoncc.bsky.social · 27d
Merchiston Avenue junction improvements - share your views by 10 Jan.

Do you walk, cycle, drive or wheel through Merchiston Ave at Merchiston Pl/ Rochester Terr? We want to propose changes to @edinburghcouncil.bsky.social

Survey at: merchistoncc.org.uk/merchiston-a...
A view of of a four-way residential junction with two vehicles crossing towards each other as two pedestrians pushing buggies wait at a corner to cross. View of a four way residential junction with people crossing on foot and a vehicle approaching a stop sign. View of a four-way residential junction with young people waiting to cross on foot as a taxi approaches a stop sign.
January 9, 2026 at 6:03 PM
Reposted by SpokesLothian
spokes.org.uk
👍 Congrats local MP @cajardinemp.bsky.social coming off X

along with #UKParlt's @sarahowen.org.uk & #WomenAndEqualities cttee

🤔 Any other #Edinburgh/#Lothians MP/MSP ?

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

@edi.bike @parliament.scot @ukparliament.parliament.uk @edinburghcouncil.bsky.social @edinreporter.bsky.social
X Commons women and equalities committee to stop using X amid AI-altered images row Exclusive: Move follows outcry over use of Grok to digitally remove clothing from images of women and children Picture of committee chair, Sarah Owen MP Guardian article explaining why the Commons Women & Equalities Committee is leaving X... The decision by the women and equalities committee is the first significant move by a Westminster organisation to exit X. It is understood the committee took the decision at a meeting on Wednesday. It will keep its X account, which has about 27,000 followers, in existence but dormant, to ensure no one else can take it over. While the decision concerns only the committee’s account, some individual members, including Owen, have already stopped using X. Another, the Liberal Democrat MP Christine Jardine, said she was leaving the platform, calling the images generated by Grok “the last straw”. Jardine said she had taken the view that X was a good way to communicate with constituents. “But I cannot in all conscience continue to use a platform which seems unwilling to act against this grossly offensive and abusive online behaviour towards women and girls,” she said. Owen also plans to write to the Cabinet Office and to Ofcom to urge action against X. She said: “I personally came off X in 2024 after the platform and its owner promoted and paid creators of far-right racist and misogynistic material. The committee heard at the end of last year on inquiries about community cohesion that X posts regularly break UK law on hate speech. “In recent days, X and xAI have allowed the creation and sharing of AI deepfakes, non-consensual intimate imagery, and child sexual abuse material – all areas identified as online violence against women and girls by our committee. “We do not view it as appropriate to use such a platform to share our work. I hope that the government, Ofcom and relevant law enforcement agencies work quickly to make X immediately abide by UK law on online safety and non-consensual intimate image abuse, to be held to account for its failures and if it refuses to abide by our laws, it must be appropriately sanctioned.”
January 9, 2026 at 6:58 PM
Reposted by SpokesLothian
spokes.org.uk
#KingsTheatre roadworks start Mon 12 Jan

🙋 Look out for signed 🚲 diversion (may vary at times)

Note: main Meadows-Canal work late 2026

@edi.bike @robbieainsworth.bsky.social @stephenjenkinson.bsky.social @cllrcmiller.bsky.social @finlaymcf.bsky.social @edfoc.bsky.social @thecockburn.bsky.social
Contractor letter with details of the works... Our Ref: HG/B62909 Monday 05 January 2026 FAO: Residents and Local Businesses Dear all, RE: King’s Theatre Public Realm Improvement Project Luddon Construction Limited have been appointed by the City of Edinburgh Council to carry out public realm improvements in your area. This project will deliver elements of the King’s Theatre redevelopment and the Council-led Meadows to Union Canal projects to improve walking, wheeling and cycling as well as access to the theatre. Work will start on Monday 12 January. To safely carry out the work, we will use temporary local restrictions on both pavements and roads. These will include: - closing Valleyfield Street at Leven Terrace for the duration of the project - closing Gilmore Place at Lochrin Buildings when needed during the initial phases, and for resurfacing work on Gilmore Place. Signs will show the diversion routes for road users. This will include a diversion for cyclists using the National Cycle Network route 75. Monday 12 January - start on the east side of Leven Street (red area highlighted overleaf). We are planning to finish the pavement work by Monday 2 March 2026. Monday 2 March to Friday 17 April - pavement work on the west side of Leven Street starts (blue area overleaf), moving southwards. We will make every effort to reduce disruption to residents and local businesses. The site team will keep you updated at each stage and make sure that you still have access to your property. The works will move along the street so that we are not working outside your property for the full duration. Access for emergency vehicles will be provided at all times. Refuse and recycling collections will continue as normal and will not be affected by the work. We apologise for any inconvenience these essential improvements may cause and thank you in advance for your patience and cooperation. We are confident the completed project will provide lasting benefits to residents and local busin… Council website page for Meadows to Canal Meadows to Union Canal In this section… Why we are improving walking, wheeling and cycling More information about the proposals Improving the area around the King's Theatre How we are consulting and engaging You are here: Next steps Next steps We are currently finalising the detailed designs of the route, which have been informed by feedback to the last consultation. We continue to engage with the local community and stakeholders, and are working closely with other nearby projects Improving Lothian Road Dalry Town Centre Dundee Street to Fountainbridge Construction is currently planned for the second half of 2026. This is dependent on the statutory orders having been processed by then. As part of the King’s Theatre refurbishment, we will deliver some parts ahead of the rest of the project, including better pavements and access in front of the Theatre. This is planned to finish in early 2026. Thank you page from Kings Theatre - picture of actors clapping A heartfelt thanks to all those who have helped to make the transformation of the King’s Theatre possible. Map of the eventual Meadows-Canal route, for your interest. Note: IT IS NOT THE CURRENT DIVERSION ROUTE !! The diversion route will be signed and may vary as the Kings Theatre works proceed. Meadows to Union Canal In this section… You are here: Why we are improving walking, wheeling and cycling More information about the proposals Improving the area around the King's Theatre How we are consulting and engaging Next steps Why we are improving walking, wheeling and cycling We are improving walking, wheeling and cycling between the Meadows and the Union Canal, following the route of National Cycle Network 75 (NCN75). We are also resurfacing some roads in the area. Improving the route will provide a safer journey for anyone walking or cycling and for those with restricted mobility. We will also improve public spaces along the route. We developed the design with significant input from key stakeholders and the local community. The most recent consultation was in 2019. As this was just before the COVID-19 pandemic, we had to pause the project until summer 2024. Benefits of developing this route The project will improve the connection between the Meadows and the Union Canal which are two key sections of the city’s active travel network and part of the National Cycle Network Route 75. It will provide a safe, direct route between the two cycle friendly destinations for all cyclists make it a more pleasant area to walk or wheel through encourage more people to choose walking, wheeling or cycling
January 9, 2026 at 2:48 PM
spokes.org.uk
#EdTravCyc
spokes.org.uk SpokesLothian @spokes.org.uk · 2d
#KingsTheatre roadworks start Mon 12 Jan

🙋 Look out for signed 🚲 diversion (may vary at times)

Note: main Meadows-Canal work late 2026

@edi.bike @robbieainsworth.bsky.social @stephenjenkinson.bsky.social @cllrcmiller.bsky.social @finlaymcf.bsky.social @edfoc.bsky.social @thecockburn.bsky.social
Contractor letter with details of the works... Our Ref: HG/B62909 Monday 05 January 2026 FAO: Residents and Local Businesses Dear all, RE: King’s Theatre Public Realm Improvement Project Luddon Construction Limited have been appointed by the City of Edinburgh Council to carry out public realm improvements in your area. This project will deliver elements of the King’s Theatre redevelopment and the Council-led Meadows to Union Canal projects to improve walking, wheeling and cycling as well as access to the theatre. Work will start on Monday 12 January. To safely carry out the work, we will use temporary local restrictions on both pavements and roads. These will include: - closing Valleyfield Street at Leven Terrace for the duration of the project - closing Gilmore Place at Lochrin Buildings when needed during the initial phases, and for resurfacing work on Gilmore Place. Signs will show the diversion routes for road users. This will include a diversion for cyclists using the National Cycle Network route 75. Monday 12 January - start on the east side of Leven Street (red area highlighted overleaf). We are planning to finish the pavement work by Monday 2 March 2026. Monday 2 March to Friday 17 April - pavement work on the west side of Leven Street starts (blue area overleaf), moving southwards. We will make every effort to reduce disruption to residents and local businesses. The site team will keep you updated at each stage and make sure that you still have access to your property. The works will move along the street so that we are not working outside your property for the full duration. Access for emergency vehicles will be provided at all times. Refuse and recycling collections will continue as normal and will not be affected by the work. We apologise for any inconvenience these essential improvements may cause and thank you in advance for your patience and cooperation. We are confident the completed project will provide lasting benefits to residents and local busin… Council website page for Meadows to Canal Meadows to Union Canal In this section… Why we are improving walking, wheeling and cycling More information about the proposals Improving the area around the King's Theatre How we are consulting and engaging You are here: Next steps Next steps We are currently finalising the detailed designs of the route, which have been informed by feedback to the last consultation. We continue to engage with the local community and stakeholders, and are working closely with other nearby projects Improving Lothian Road Dalry Town Centre Dundee Street to Fountainbridge Construction is currently planned for the second half of 2026. This is dependent on the statutory orders having been processed by then. As part of the King’s Theatre refurbishment, we will deliver some parts ahead of the rest of the project, including better pavements and access in front of the Theatre. This is planned to finish in early 2026. Thank you page from Kings Theatre - picture of actors clapping A heartfelt thanks to all those who have helped to make the transformation of the King’s Theatre possible. Map of the eventual Meadows-Canal route, for your interest. Note: IT IS NOT THE CURRENT DIVERSION ROUTE !! The diversion route will be signed and may vary as the Kings Theatre works proceed. Meadows to Union Canal In this section… You are here: Why we are improving walking, wheeling and cycling More information about the proposals Improving the area around the King's Theatre How we are consulting and engaging Next steps Why we are improving walking, wheeling and cycling We are improving walking, wheeling and cycling between the Meadows and the Union Canal, following the route of National Cycle Network 75 (NCN75). We are also resurfacing some roads in the area. Improving the route will provide a safer journey for anyone walking or cycling and for those with restricted mobility. We will also improve public spaces along the route. We developed the design with significant input from key stakeholders and the local community. The most recent consultation was in 2019. As this was just before the COVID-19 pandemic, we had to pause the project until summer 2024. Benefits of developing this route The project will improve the connection between the Meadows and the Union Canal which are two key sections of the city’s active travel network and part of the National Cycle Network Route 75. It will provide a safe, direct route between the two cycle friendly destinations for all cyclists make it a more pleasant area to walk or wheel through encourage more people to choose walking, wheeling or cycling
January 9, 2026 at 4:38 PM
spokes.org.uk
#KingsTheatre roadworks start Mon 12 Jan

🙋 Look out for signed 🚲 diversion (may vary at times)

Note: main Meadows-Canal work late 2026

@edi.bike @robbieainsworth.bsky.social @stephenjenkinson.bsky.social @cllrcmiller.bsky.social @finlaymcf.bsky.social @edfoc.bsky.social @thecockburn.bsky.social
Contractor letter with details of the works... Our Ref: HG/B62909 Monday 05 January 2026 FAO: Residents and Local Businesses Dear all, RE: King’s Theatre Public Realm Improvement Project Luddon Construction Limited have been appointed by the City of Edinburgh Council to carry out public realm improvements in your area. This project will deliver elements of the King’s Theatre redevelopment and the Council-led Meadows to Union Canal projects to improve walking, wheeling and cycling as well as access to the theatre. Work will start on Monday 12 January. To safely carry out the work, we will use temporary local restrictions on both pavements and roads. These will include: - closing Valleyfield Street at Leven Terrace for the duration of the project - closing Gilmore Place at Lochrin Buildings when needed during the initial phases, and for resurfacing work on Gilmore Place. Signs will show the diversion routes for road users. This will include a diversion for cyclists using the National Cycle Network route 75. Monday 12 January - start on the east side of Leven Street (red area highlighted overleaf). We are planning to finish the pavement work by Monday 2 March 2026. Monday 2 March to Friday 17 April - pavement work on the west side of Leven Street starts (blue area overleaf), moving southwards. We will make every effort to reduce disruption to residents and local businesses. The site team will keep you updated at each stage and make sure that you still have access to your property. The works will move along the street so that we are not working outside your property for the full duration. Access for emergency vehicles will be provided at all times. Refuse and recycling collections will continue as normal and will not be affected by the work. We apologise for any inconvenience these essential improvements may cause and thank you in advance for your patience and cooperation. We are confident the completed project will provide lasting benefits to residents and local busin… Council website page for Meadows to Canal Meadows to Union Canal In this section… Why we are improving walking, wheeling and cycling More information about the proposals Improving the area around the King's Theatre How we are consulting and engaging You are here: Next steps Next steps We are currently finalising the detailed designs of the route, which have been informed by feedback to the last consultation. We continue to engage with the local community and stakeholders, and are working closely with other nearby projects Improving Lothian Road Dalry Town Centre Dundee Street to Fountainbridge Construction is currently planned for the second half of 2026. This is dependent on the statutory orders having been processed by then. As part of the King’s Theatre refurbishment, we will deliver some parts ahead of the rest of the project, including better pavements and access in front of the Theatre. This is planned to finish in early 2026. Thank you page from Kings Theatre - picture of actors clapping A heartfelt thanks to all those who have helped to make the transformation of the King’s Theatre possible. Map of the eventual Meadows-Canal route, for your interest. Note: IT IS NOT THE CURRENT DIVERSION ROUTE !! The diversion route will be signed and may vary as the Kings Theatre works proceed. Meadows to Union Canal In this section… You are here: Why we are improving walking, wheeling and cycling More information about the proposals Improving the area around the King's Theatre How we are consulting and engaging Next steps Why we are improving walking, wheeling and cycling We are improving walking, wheeling and cycling between the Meadows and the Union Canal, following the route of National Cycle Network 75 (NCN75). We are also resurfacing some roads in the area. Improving the route will provide a safer journey for anyone walking or cycling and for those with restricted mobility. We will also improve public spaces along the route. We developed the design with significant input from key stakeholders and the local community. The most recent consultation was in 2019. As this was just before the COVID-19 pandemic, we had to pause the project until summer 2024. Benefits of developing this route The project will improve the connection between the Meadows and the Union Canal which are two key sections of the city’s active travel network and part of the National Cycle Network Route 75. It will provide a safe, direct route between the two cycle friendly destinations for all cyclists make it a more pleasant area to walk or wheel through encourage more people to choose walking, wheeling or cycling
January 9, 2026 at 2:48 PM
Reposted by SpokesLothian
edtiss.bsky.social
Final stats for the Omni Centre cycle lane in 2025: a slight 1% increase on 2024 with 580,000 journeys; a new record set of 2,265 cyclists on Friday, 7th November.

The significant increase in numbers in prior years came after the development of cycling infrastructure on Leith Walk.
January 9, 2026 at 8:33 AM
Reposted by SpokesLothian
urchaidh.bsky.social
The legislation in Scotland is far from perfect, but it feels to me that its implementation in Edinburgh has seen a huge improvement in our streets and, importantly, wider acceptance of the fact that the world doesn't end when we act to address anti-social use of cars. It's progress.
January 8, 2026 at 1:37 PM
Reposted by SpokesLothian
rhinestonebrowboy.bsky.social
Yep, pavement parking ban has made a really difference where we are, around Drumbrae. Can’t remember the last time I saw it happening on my regular running route.
January 8, 2026 at 2:59 PM
Reposted by SpokesLothian
sw20.info
The fleet! Hire one for free!
The SW20 community ebike fleet. Three bikes: a standard ebike, an Urban Arrow bucket bike and a rickshaw.
January 8, 2026 at 8:32 PM
Reposted by SpokesLothian
ellatasm.bsky.social
Still pretty icy out there. The crunchy snow bits are great, but interspersed with icy, mince now bits. This is Trinity Path looking towards 5 Ways. Not gritted recently @spokes.org.uk
Light snow on multi path
January 9, 2026 at 8:43 AM
Reposted by SpokesLothian
spokes.org.uk
#DundeeStreet #Fountainbridge 🚶👩‍🦼🚲 consultn

👍 Excellent submission from @blackfordsaferoutes.co.uk

🙋 Please do respond yourself - it matters!
[no need for detail if short of time]

Online QA--> consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/sfc/dundee-s...

@johnrobson87.bsky.social @robbieainsworth.bsky.social
Intro to their response... Dundee Street and Fountainbridge active travel consultation – response Overview The council are proposing to improve walking, wheeling and cycling along Dundee Street and Fountainbridge, as well as surrounding streets connecting to the Union Canal. The changes will be transformative and create safer, more attractive streets for everyone. The aim is to create: walking and street improvements a high-quality, direct, cycling route to provide an alternative to the busy and shared Union Canal path a connection between the Telfer Subway and the Union Canal via Gibson Terrace, improving connections to the surrounding network from Roseburn, the Canal, the Meadows and beyond The Dundee St and Fountainbridge consultation is open until the 12 Jan 2026.
January 7, 2026 at 5:02 PM
Reposted by SpokesLothian
blackfordsaferoutes.co.uk
Thanks!

Here’s the link to our response

blackfordsaferoutes.co.uk/jgps-travel-...
Dundee Street and Fountainbridge active travel consultation - response - Blackford Safe Routes
Consultation response to the Dundee St and Fountainbridge active travel project - protected cycle lanes and pedestrian improvements
blackfordsaferoutes.co.uk
January 7, 2026 at 5:18 PM
Reposted by SpokesLothian
johnrobson87.bsky.social
#EdTravCyc
@spokes.org.uk @edi.bike @livingstreetsedi.bsky.social it’s pretty sketchy on untreated surfaces this morning. Made it into town along bus routes but paths like meadows seemed untreated or washed away due to late rain.
January 8, 2026 at 6:03 AM
Reposted by SpokesLothian
stephenjenkinson.bsky.social
The building of this path would encourage more active travel and provide a safer route for pupils travelling to and from Currie High School.

www.deadlinenews.co.uk/2026/01/05/n...
New public footpath to be constructed in Currie - Deadline News
A NEW footpath running through a farm field in Currie, on the outskirts of Edinburgh, is set to the constructed after council approval.
www.deadlinenews.co.uk
January 7, 2026 at 8:07 AM
Reposted by SpokesLothian
thebikestation.bsky.social
Take a read of our latest article on cycling in the new year 🚲

Whether you are thinking about getting on a bike for the first time or riding more this year, we share how refurbished bikes, repairs, servicing, and maintenance courses can help.

Read it here:
New Year, New Rides: Why 2026 Is the Year to Get on Your Bike
New year, new rides. Whether you are thinking about cycling for the first time, riding to work more often, or training for a sportive, The Bike Station is here to help. From affordable refurbished…
buff.ly
January 7, 2026 at 8:15 AM
Reposted by SpokesLothian
sccscot.bsky.social
❗We need your help to strengthen Scotland's climate plan!

Currently it doesn’t contain the ambitious, fair action we need to tackle the climate crisis and deliver real benefits to our lives.

Find out how you can add your voice and call for a stronger plan: www.stopclimatechaos.scot/campaign/sco...
January 7, 2026 at 9:42 AM
Reposted by SpokesLothian
peterwalker99.bsky.social
Road casualties are utterly normalised in political debate, but in England and Wales alone, on average around 80 people are killed or suffer injuries which could change their lives forever *every single day*. More should be done.
January 7, 2026 at 10:09 AM