I'll be live-tweeting all of the Spaces for People drama about to unfold at Edinburgh City Council's Policy & Sustainability meeting. Cllrs will discuss whether or not to continue controversial changes to roads for at least another 2 months + add more changes. Follow this thread!

For the unwitting - the Spaces for People programme comprises measures implemented by the council to increase pedestrian and cycling provisions in the city, in light of covid & the need to social distance.

Forecast for the debate is

Before things kick off, here's where everyone currently stands. Labour/ SNP/ Greens: Keep all the current road change schemes going as well as those that are planned but not yet implemented (25+)

Lib Dems: Agree to reopen Braid Rd and Silverknowes Road to cars + buses. Halt proposed changes to Craigmount,
North Gyle and East Craigs (v controversial) until a full public consultation process has been undertaken.

Tories: Immediately reopen Braid Road, Silverknowes Road, Links Gardens, Cammo Walk and Stanley/Hope Street. Terminate planned changes to 19 further streets across the city. Reinvest money that would've been spent back into changes already made.

I should add that Greens are also asking the council go to the Scottish Government and request further funding for more Spaces for People schemes (on top of the 40+ already planned/ in place).

Cllr @SJWebber_PHW says local biz owners, particularly in Morningside, feel alienated and upset by @Edinburgh_CC lack of communication and consultation on Spaces for People scheme

Green Cllr @Alex4Craig_Dudd says Tories have not presented a single piece of evidence to refute the benefits of pedestrianisation and cycle provisions

Cllr @KateC_SNP says all parties are united in their desire to support biz and Spaces for People does just that

Cllr @adamrmcvey says Spaces for People will improve accessibility for disabled people in the city

Council officer says the council is hearing residents from East Craigs and are aware they need to monitor the situation closely @east_craigs

Council will implement some cameras to monitor that residents are following road changes i.e staying outside of bus lanes

Council is now considering a more permanent approach to Spaces for People. Officers are actively considering ways to make the changes permanent.

Council Leader @adamrmcvey would like the Leith Low Traffic Neighbourhood scheme to be rolled out as soon as is possible

On East Craigs council says: Aim of a low traffic neighbourhood is to create more cul-de-sacs. Want to retro fit a modern design into an older bit of Edinburgh. There needs to be opportunity for the community to feel better involved in this process.

Now onto the vote: SNP/Labour will not accept Tory plans to end road closures and terminate various schemes yet to be implemented. They WILL accept Green request to write to Scot Gov requesting more funding to expand Spaces for People.

. @adamrmcvey say concerns in East Craigs not unanimous but he will engage with people to find way forward. He wants to extrapolate what concerns are. Not everyone will be happy with end result.

Tories want to immediately reopen Braid Road, Silverknowes Road, Links Gardens, Cammo Walk and Stanley/Hope Street. Terminate planned changes to multiple further streets across the city. Reinvest money that would've been spent back into changes already made.

Cllr @SJWebber_PHW "this isn't about Spaces for People, it's about spaces for cyclists."

Cllr @SJWebber_PHW says study from Bristol Prof shows most cyclists are white, male, middle-aged & middle class, whilst those who opt to walk are more often younger, women and BAME. Says this is not surprising given the demographic make-up of Edinburgh cycle lobbyists.

Lib Dems pressing ahead with request to reopen Braid Rd and Silverknowes Rd

Lib Dem Cllr Robert Aldridge says @Edinburgh_CC has treated local residents with "arrogance and contempt" over Spaces for People

Cllr @SJWebber_PHW has now placed a helmet on her head

Not gonna lie, I'm going to need a drink or two at the end of this

SNP/Labour/Green vote WINS. Spaces for People schemes will continue and further planned schemes will be implemented in time. Now for a glass of white...