The busy through road of Featherhall Crescent, in Corstorphine, has recently been closed to make way for a area of seating and planting that is safe for all people to use. This is part of a 18-month trial which has left local residents of the area with mixed views of the experiment.
Last month residents of the area were left baffled after the red paint markings appeared at the end of the street with the plant pots soon appearing afterwards. It was also hoped that it would cut cars from travelling through residential streets.
There has been much confusion about the development of the area with some locals thinking it was due to become a children's play park but the council have confirmed this is not true; It is actually a seating and planting area. Nonetheless many people have highlighted that because it is beside a busy road in Corstorphine that it might not be the best place for the intended use.
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At Edinburgh Live we visited Featherhall Crescent to chat to residents of the area and see what their views of the road are since the introduction of the plants, alongside the boxes and red paint.
Allan Robertson, 85, has lived in the area for many years and has started using the pathway more regularly since the development, he said: "I suppose it is reasonably handy for me sometimes to go to the pharmacy where I am going to at the moment."
However, he went onto say: "If I was a resident who stayed on this side of the road I would be really upset."
Resident of the area for 40 years, Sandra Ciddell, 69 is not happy about the new repurposed road and said: "I think it is a complete and utter waste of money and it is an inconvenience as well for people living round here."
"Who is going to sit here? Nobody, it is not a play area because it is right beside a busy road."
Sheila Palmer, 78, was driving and forgot that the road was closed, she said: "I feel like it is a lot of wasted money because there are so many people who are in poverty, in houses, in this city that need to be repaired."
"I would love to know the cost of what this has been, it wouldn't have been cheap because I am not a fan."
Sheena Linn, 86, resident of Gylemuir Road for 20 years said: "It is a total waste of money, you have traffic going past constantly along with fumes. Are you going to sit there?"
"Look at it, it is solid, it is not like it is temporary thing to see how it works. It is just a total waste."
Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Scott Arthur, said: “We’re making changes as part of Corstorphine Connections to create a much more welcoming and safe place to walk, wheel, cycle and spend time in the community by reducing through traffic and building relaxing spaces.
“Following a public consultation, earlier this year we introduced the first phase of measures, including limiting traffic on Featherhall Crescent and introducing road markings, planters and seating so people can pause and socialise.
“Whilst I know some people are still adjusting to the improvements, I have spoken to many parents who welcome these changes as they make it safer for their children to walk and wheel to school.
“One dad told me of how ‘cars used to turn off into Featherhall without slowing or even looking to see if people were trying to cross’, and how it’s ‘much safer now and takes away from stress when I walk my younger daughter to school"
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