There were 175 people and 9 Cllrs at the meeting at Murrayfield Church Hall. There were only seats for 120, so we had 55 standing. I guess 80 from Roseburn, 40 from Wester Coates, 30 from Hmkt, 20 from Spokes, 5 of the cllrs from further afield. The chairperson was John Yellowlees, Murrayfield Community Council Chair and attending we had Vice-convener of Transport, Cllr Adam McVey (SNP), Local ward Cllrs Jeremy Balfour (Con) and Deputy Leader Frank Ross (SNP), City Centre Cllrs Joanna Mowat (Con) and Alasdair Rankin (SNP) and other Transport Cllrs Gavin Barrie (SNP) and Bill Henderson (SNP), Nigel Bagshaw (Green). Also Cllr Jim Orr (Independent). A very passionate and interesting evening with both sides for and against having a say. I must be honest and say that most were in favour of the Roseburn Vision. Even though Spokes had a few evangelists present they were outnumbered by the many residents who thought the scheme ill-conceived. The FOI revelations went down well. Council claims of support for their protected cycle track scheme running from Roseburn to Haymarket claimed 75% supported the scheme but an FOI request shows that 80% of those surveyed did not live near or anywhere to the west of the track- so were unlikely to use it. Analysis of those living in the local postcodes and a mile further west showed the opposite- that only 33% supported the track at Roseburn – with 61% opposing it. Expanding the analysis to add in those who lived due west of the track and who may therefore be likely to use it to get into town, this being the justification for building the track- ie to encourage those in the west to leave their cars at home, still showed overall opposition. Of these 485 residents, only 43% supported the track at Roseburn – with 53% opposing it. The FOI showed over 10% of the 2,247 respondents could not be shown to even live with Lothian, yet their view was still considered valid by the Council. The campaigners’ own Roseburn Vision scheme gained much higher approval ratings- with around 80% support for most elements. Councillors and the public are being given the impression that there is local support for the track, when the opposite is the case. The FOI demonstrates that the support the Council propounds is coming from those who are not affected and who are unlikely to use the track. I cycled round the route with Cllr McVey before the meeting. He typed notes into his phone at every stopping point. I’m very hopeful that he understands that we are not the same as Leith Walk (which he cited as an example of a successful cycle development). Leith Walk is a sight wider than Roseburn Terrace, I said. He was not so sure, he said. But that was before the meeting… The meeting kicked off with Phil Noble, City Council Senior Cycling Officer presenting an update of current Council plans, followed by Q&A. Then there was the Roseburn Vision and why it’s been proposed- by myself, as a local cyclist- followed by Q&A. Then Jeff Raynor from Donaldsons Area Amenity Association – another cyclist concerned about the track. Jeff pointed out the problem with oncoming headlights on rainy nights for cyclists and reflection off the road surface. Sheena Kelman of the Wester Coates Amenity Society spoke against the scheme; George Rendall of Art et Facts spoke of the impact on traders. Then Adam Shepherd and Henry Whaley of Roseburn Cycle Route support group spoke in favour of the Council scheme. And David Spaven of Living Streets Edinburgh presented their view (generally in favour). There was also the point raised from the floor that there didn't appear to have been a 'business plan' put together for the project - e.g. traffic numbers, number of cyclists, deaths/injuries to cyclists etc. Nor any impact analysis - i.e. cost/benefit analysis, value for money etc. The impact on the retired community living in Roseburn was raised, the importance of keeping the existing traffic islands on the A8 where they are, as a hub point in the main road for slow walkers and in reducing traffic halt times. Also emergency and delivery vehicles hindered in getting to the quieter streets. Lots was raised: the impact on the heart of the community of Roseburn, lollypop ladies and school kids on safe routes using the quieter streets to get to RPS, people stopping to say hi, slowing traffic, Copenhagen junctions where it suits but not at Roseburn cliff or Donaldson’s school ( 410 car spaces approved, in and out at least once a day!) where it doesn’t work, lack of a proper business case, poor responses on traffic modelling and the effect of pushing cars onto new rat runs through residential areas due to the throttled congestion on the A8, issues of Scotmid and Tesco lorries unloading at their dedicated bays, those others seeking to use the loading bays blocking the main road when parking) and other more subtle consequences on the community and traffic modelling/future flows. I guess the energy in the room might have got the Councillors thinking. There were plenty of people in the audience that stood up and said the scheme would be a disaster for Roseburn. There was a respiratory physician who spoke knowledgably and claimed that the track would create more congestion and more pollution. Later the Roseburn Cycle support group made the opposite claim. Kevin Wood from Central Taxis was there, as was Daisy Naryan from Sustrans. The impact on taxis and travellers at Haymarket and the station was also made by me. I argued that the Council should cone off the route on the street for a day and assess the impact (My powerpoint presentation is available for anyone who is interested- please let me know if you want it.) Quite a night My conclusion? I don’t think the Council will come to a decision on the 30th August. I think they’ll defer it for more reflection. My hope is that a political group proposes an amendment to the Committee meeting calling on the officers to cost the Roseburn Vision, rather than the choice that will be on offer of option A and option B. We should be the option C. I hope more consultation is carried out- with residents and those likely to be affected or use the scheme. I’ll be asking our Councillors how they might ensure that. Best wishes Pete Gregson www.kidsnotsuits.com/stop-the-west-coates-cycle-track-petition-to-edinburgh-council