If you've not got round to it yet, then it's important to add your views to the Council's survey on making Spaces for People schemes permanent. The survey closes on 5 April 2021. Although we now have over 12,000 petition signatures, it is vital that as many people as possible complete this survey as well.
Some feedback has been received that it is an unusually complicated survey, so here are a few ideas of things to consider when making your submission. Please persevere!
Key Points
The submission deadline is Monday 5 April 2021.
Make full use of the comment boxes – it puts your views on record.
There are two surveys:
You can complete both if you are a resident and a business owner.
All members of a household can respond individually.
If you need a paper copy or you want to order some to distribute to neighbours, call 0131 200 2000 or email street.schemes@edinburgh.gov.uk
Before You Start
Set aside enough time - about 20 minutes is ok.
You can save your responses and return later, but you can’t change your response after you submit.
Answer honestly — but remember, the council doesn't do "nuance". Decide if you support the schemes or not, and make your answers reflect this consistently by giving a clear message in the boxes from "Strongly Support" to "Strongly Oppose".
Remember that the council is proposing to use “experimental” road-traffic legislation (ETROs) to extend schemes without full consultation, and that only regular TROs (traffic regulation orders) will ensure that communities get properly consulted.
Important – Make full use of the comment boxes. Try to explain any points properly, rather than making blanket statements that could be ignored e.g. 'I hate/love Spaces for People' could be seen as too simplistic.
If you feel you've not been given appropriate options in the tick boxes then say this. Remember, your tick-box responses will be aggregated with everyone else's, but your comments go on record individually.
The Survey Structure
Your general thoughts on Spaces for People are invited in Q4–Q6.
Schemes already in place and schemes near schools are covered in Q7–Q10:
Q7 asks which should REMAIN AND BE PERMANENT;
Q9 asks which should be REMOVED.
Schemes that are not yet complete are covered in Q11–Q13 (e.g. Lanark Road):
Q11 asks which should be MADE PERMANENT;
Q13 asks which should be REMOVED.
Use the opportunity to comment specifically in Q8, Q10, Q12 and Q14.
And finally —
Please don’t forget the new deadline of 5 April 2021
And please keep sharing the petition - can we hit 15,000?
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT