A 28-year-old civil servant from Edinburgh has said that he felt compelled to campaign for increased safety measures at a junction on Leith Walk as he feared that someone might be killed.
Edward Tissiman was almost mowed down by a car when crossing the junction at Brunswick Road while on his way to the pub. He was horrified to realise that drivers were continuously breaking the rules by turning off Leith Walk into the arterial road.
He chased up the local authority, local councillors, the Newhaven tram project, the police as well as local press to try to assist his attempts to clampdown on the illegal moves. But he claims that he was frustratingly met with little action at first.
READ MORE: Edinburgh trams take action after rule breaking drivers almost run over man
He then decided to try to thwart drivers by standing in front of the junction to stop them from turning in - this led to him being abused and threatened by motorists. But thanks to his persistence, he was able to get the Trams to Newhaven project to install a traffic management system making the area safer for pedestrians.
Police also stepped up their efforts after Edward’s actions and began to monitor the junction, handing out fines to drivers that broke the rules. On achieving a positive outcome through his dedication to the cause, Edward said: “I wouldn't consider myself an activist at all. I was just walking to the pub and was quite surprised to nearly be hit when I was crossing at a 'green man.'
“When I realised that lots of other people were nearly being hit, I thought I should probably do something about it. I reported the initial incident to the police.
“The next Monday, I was going up Leith Walk to work and saw it happening again. I again reported this to the police and also the council, pointing out that there was a primary school and nursery round the corner.
“After the police declined to take any action and the council hadn't provided a response, I realised that I need to get some people involved. I'm grateful to everyone who supported me; local people, councillors, the press.”
Edward added that he feels the changes brought in could help prevent any children or visually impaired pedestrians from being hit whilst crossing at a green man. However, he added that drivers have continued to make the illegal turn but that there is less chance of them hitting someone since Trams to Newhaven brought in the measures.
He continued: “I was very surprised at how long it took to get a response given I had made it clear that I thought someone might be killed or seriously injured. I appreciate the council has a lot of things to deal with and limited resources, but I thought this would make it to the top of the list.
“I like being able to walk and cycle around this amazing city. Ever since noticing this junction and the danger it posed, I've started spotting more issues, particularly on Leith Walk.
“I don't think I have the energy to campaign on this stuff all the time though! It would be great if the cycle lanes on Leith Walk were protected with bollards.
“A really simple, cheap way to make sure cyclists and drivers aren't coming into conflict. I think we also need to give more room to pedestrians, particularly outside Sainsbury's.
“And putting some enforcement cameras on the junctions would save the police a lot of time and make the council some money. I'd just add that it's really frustrating for drivers at the moment.
“I was stuck on Easter Road for 30 minutes last Friday. But that's no excuse for putting other people at risk.”
In a statement released on October 28, the Trams to Newhaven project said: “The project is aware of an increased number of motorists making banned turns from Leith Walk into Brunswick Road bringing them in conflict with pedestrians.
“In response, we have installed traffic management to obstruct the right-hand manoeuvre off Leith Walk and have put further signage in place. Additionally, traffic signals at the junction will be reconfigured to introduce an all-stop phase while pedestrians are crossing to ensure there is no conflict with motorists.
“Temporary traffic lights will be installed from October 28 with permanent signals reconfiguration expected to be in place from the week commencing 31 October. We will continue to monitor the situation and review when London Road reopens.”
While the transport and environment convener, Scott Arthur, said: “I am aware that there has been social media activity about motorists making a banned right hand turn from Leith Walk to Brunswick Road, bringing them into conflict with pedestrians crossing Brunswick Road at a green man.
“We do have signage up at this location advising that the right hand turn is banned and the police also attended the junction a couple of weeks ago.
“We are installing additional signage to drive the point home. Class One is also installing extra traffic management to try to obstruct the right turn manoeuvre for motorists while not impeding vehicles turning right from McDonald Road.
“This has been in place since October 27. Although I consider that there is a responsibility on motorists to follow signage and observe the ban.”
Edinburgh North East Police added on Sunday 30 that: “A number drivers have been reported for contravening no right and no left turn signage.
““NECPT and NEST officers responding to community complaints have continued to conduct enforcement action in relation to vehicles contravening no left and no right signage at Leith Walk / Brunswick Road. A number of drivers have been reported.”
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