Residents on a quiet Edinburgh street have been left divided after multiple junctions in the area were replaced by progressive pavements by the council.
The area, in Newhaven, includes streets such as Derby Street, Newhaven Road, Park Road and Stanley Road, with the work commencing around six months ago and is currently ongoing - much to the disappointment of residents.
One street in particular, Derby Street, has had the junctions at both ends converted to pavements, sparking a debate among locals as to why these changes were made and the impact they have had so far.
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Since being contacted by Edinburgh Live, the City of Edinburgh Council confirmed the work is in line with the street design guidance and each crossing can be used by pedestrians and vehicles, following the reaction on social media which raised the question as to how residents are expected to get to and from their drive.
After heading down to the area to get some local reaction, there was a clear divide in opinion as some residents thought the changes were great and had already improved accessibility, whereas others thought the roadworks have taken too long and the money could have gone towards other road issues in the capital.
The first resident, 90-year-old John Robb, said the changes to the road layout are already "far better" and help the parking situation.
He said: "I've lived here for sixty years and seen a lot of change. I think the alterations to the junctions is far better as it stops people parking on either side of the road. As you can see at the moment, all the cars are parked on one side but it never used to be like that.
"It used to be a massive inconvenience to get parked and turned here, as well as there being lots of potholes on the road. The Council have also re-done the pavement but it's not done yet. We just drive over the new pavement in place of the junction but I think priority is given to pedestrians and cyclists."
One of John's neighbours, Douglas Turner, 74, also had some positive thoughts about the roadworks and agreed that it is more suitable for those walking with prams or those who struggle with their movement.
He said: "A lot of people seem to be in favour and to be fair, it gives you a good field of vision. For those using prams and wheelchairs, it's much smoother and will look nice once they finish the drop-down kerbs.
"It used to be difficult to park here as people would just leave their cars on the pavement. I know we've now lost two spaces due to the junction being removed but I don't think people need to be parked right outside their door. We park further down the road.
"The work started around six months ago and there have been knock-on effects such as the installation of fibre optic. We've lived in two different houses in the area making it around 40 years in total. Its a lovely and friendly area and all the neighbours know each other.
"There was an incident recently with a resident further down the street as she was locked in a room and the Scottish Fire and Rescue had to come out but they struggled to get to the front of the house."
Various images show both ends of the street has recently undergone major changes, as well as the pavements on either side of Derby Street laid with tarmac instead of slabs, which all the residents agreed was a welcomed change.
However, one local hit out at the council for making the changes and says she can't understand why money was spent on the project as opposed to sorting the pothole issue across the city.
Marigold Monro, who has also lived on the street for three decades, said: "Why do we need these European-style junctions? Whoever thought of this should have got the sack a long time ago.
"They started on Derby Street, worked to Park Road without much warning, couldn't do the pavements due to the fact they needed new lampposts and the power for those had to come from Stanley Street. Now, wouldn't it have made sense to start there in the first place?
"We have lost two parking spaces due to the raised junctions, of which there are already few. The workers have also painted a white line over my blank wall behind the house. I just think they're wasting time and money that could have been put to good use elsewhere.
"It used to be hard to get parked and now it's even harder. One positive is that it is easier to use the pavements with my walking stick then it was with the slabs they removed."
Another resident who agreed that the changes aren't necessarily a good thing was Gordon Barclay. He said: "I'm sure it will look great once it's finished, but it's not getting finished that has taken some time.
"They have been here for months and made a Rolls Royce job of it. They've scraped the tarmac, raised paving slabs and lifted and reset every kerb stone. I think the whole project just lacks direction.
"I think the new continuous pavements are a trip hazard for the elderly and I feel like the whole thing could have been sorted better. The pavements and the road were in a complete state to be fair. As long as I can remember, every time a bus goes past, some of the houses will shudder."
The roadworks also struck a debate on social media as one user presented before and after pictures of both junctions, saying: "I discovered a corner of Edinburgh which is quietly having all the junctions converted to continuous pavements."
One user replied: "How does anyone get their car on/off their drive?" Another added: "I mean, is this actually the finished job? Please tell me it’s not."
Councillor Scott Arthur, Transport and Environment Convener, said: "As part of road and pavement resurfacing works in Derby Street, Newhaven Road, Park Road and Stanley Road we’re creating continuous footways at several junctions.
"This is in line with the Edinburgh Street Design Guidance and can be used by pedestrians and vehicles but it gives a clear indication that pedestrians have priority, as specified in the Highway Code."
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