This week the Conservative party revealed their local election pledge to remove Spaces for People schemes that discriminate against disabled people and where there is no evidenced community support.

They pledge to keep them only if there is clear community support and robust safety checks. In those areas, they seem to recognise that Edinburgh should not be littered with “temporary” bollards and pledge to ensure quality infrastructure.

This follows the existing SNP/Labour administration voting to keep many schemes even where consultations showed overwhelming opposition and schemes were graded as discriminating against disabled people, local residents and businesses.

Extracts from the Evening News article:

"Councillor Whyte said key targets where Spaces for People measures would be removed included Braid Road, Lanark Road, Duddingston Road and Duddingston Road West, Buckstone Terrace (Comiston Road), Cockburn Street and Waverley Bridge."

“Scottish Conservatives will only keep schemes where there is clear evidence of local community support, such as near schools. We will ensure there is quality infrastructure with robust safety checks, end restrictions that discriminate against disabled people and put more emphasis on helping pedestrians and not just cyclists.”

"Other Tory election pledges include focusing on getting roads fixed, cleaning up the city, stopping the Workplace Parking Levy which they label a “car park tax” and opposing the extension of residents’ parking zones."

In the run up to the local elections in May, we will add updates for any Spaces for People pledges from other parties.

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