A Leith man has called on urgent action to be taken before someone is killed or seriously injured by cars turning onto Brunswick Road from Leith Walk.
Cars are not allowed to turn onto the road from the busy commercial street and several signs have been placed close to the junction to try to inform motorists. But this has had little impact as several cars have been filmed turning onto the street as a green man is visible for pedestrians to cross.
Edward Tissiman, 28, and works as a civil servant, said that he was almost hit when crossing at the junction last Thursday 20. The green man was showing on the lights but traffic continued to turn down the road that does not allow for access from Leith Walk.
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Edward says that he has reported the issue to both Police Scotland and Edinburgh City Council but fears that the issue is not being resolved. He says that he worries that a local school pupil from the nearby primary or someone who is visually impaired may be struck by an oncoming vehicle.
In a video shared by Edward, several cars can be seen entering the road despite a green man showing. The video was taken on Monday October 24.
He said: “You cannot turn into Brunswick Road from Leith Walk. This is well sign-posted.
“But drivers are ignoring this. At times it means that they are driving through a green man that is visible on the lights at the junction.
“This puts people at risk. Particularly the visually impaired and children who may not look for cars as adults do.
“There is a local primary school in the area. I have reported this to the police and to the council but repeatedly I feel as if no action has been taken.
“I was crossing the road last Thursday when on my way to the pub as there was a green man and I was almost hit. I think someone could be killed or seriously injured.
“They must either change the light system or close Brunswick Road entirely.”
Local Green councillor, Susan Rae, says that she is concerned by the drivers continuously breaking the rules. She feels as though motorists are endangering pedestrians just to shave a few seconds off of their journey time.
She said: “Leith Walk residents have been concerned and alarmed by the continued dangers they face navigating roads and pavements, almost all of which are caused by entitled and impatient drivers. The latest videos that have appeared on social media, showing drivers completely ignoring traffic signals and putting pedestrians at grave risk purely to save an extra few seconds highlight just how dangerous this attitude has become.
“We need immediate action from both roads and the police. Whether it's ignoring lights, ignoring pedestrians' right of way or parking cars on pavements, we can't afford to tolerate drivers putting themselves above everyone any longer. Someone will be badly injured or worse, and it's highly unlikely to be the person driving the car.”
Police have tried to stop drivers from taking the turn onto Brunswick Road and were on site around two weeks ago where they reported four drivers for breaking the no entry rules. They said in a tweet: “#NECPT working with Special Constables from our North East Support Team #NEST have been conducting a day of action in #Leith today.
“Following complaints from the local community four drivers were reported for no entry & no left turn signage offences on Brunswick Road.”
Councillor Scott Arthur, transport and environment convener for the council, said: “Right-hand turns into Brunswick Road are not permitted, as signage at the junction specifies. Anyone who does this is breaking the law and endangering other road users.
“We have raised this matter with Police Scotland. The Trams to Newhaven project team will be installing additional signage and traffic management to reinforce the message, and will continue monitoring the junction.”
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