Edinburgh driving instructor 'unable to get out of his street' due to congestion

An Edinburgh driving instructor has called on Edinburgh City Council to revisit their traffic plans for Roseburn after heavy congestion led to him being late for lessons and unable to leave his street during rush hours.

Grant Davidson, 56, has said that the traffic build up on Roseburn Street is becoming so bad during busy periods that cars can often be seen stretching down from Roseburn Terrace to Murrayfield Stadium.

He welcomed the council’s move to widen the pavement on Roseburn Street at the junction with Russell Road as he feels it makes the area safer for children to cross when going to school as well as for other pedestrians and cyclists.

But he says the move when coupled with the closing off of Roseburn Gardens to Roseburn Terrace has led to a problematic situation for those passing through and for local residents.

Grant argues that Roseburn Street being reduced to one lane through the widening of the pavement has now meant that drivers are trapped behind motorists who are exiting Russell Road onto Roseburn Terrace.

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He argues that around one to three cars are able to get through the lights onto Roseburn Terrace from Roseburn Street as a result. The tailbacks have also led to arterial residential roads being completely blocked as drivers cover the exits.

Grant has invited the council to come to the area to reassess the chaos that their changes have brought for local residents and he has urged them to consider putting in traffic lights that would allow Roseburn Street and Russell Road to be staggered when accessing Roseburn Terrace.

“I understand and support the council making changes to make it safer for the schoolchildren, other pedestrians and cyclists but I just want common sense to prevail,” he said.

“Roseburn Street has been reduced to one lane as you approach Russell Road and that has led to motorists from Russell Road gaining priority, and at times blocking the yellow grid at the junction. A result of this is cars queuing all the way from Roseburn Terrace to Murrayfield Stadium.

The congestion on Roseburn Street.

“I’m always late for work now and at times I cannot get out of my street on Roseburn Avenue due to the motorists blocking the junction as the tail backs are so severe. I would sometimes come home for my lunch or for toilet breaks during lessons but I don’t bother anymore.

“It is not just me that is impacted. There are a lot of concerns around safety as several locals have witnessed motorists becoming fed up and driving down the wrong side of the road on both Roseburn Street and Russell Road when the congestion is at its peak.

“It is a matter of time before someone gets hurt. The residents in the tenement flats are also seeing a big build up of pollution due to the congestion.

“Closing off Roseburn Gardens is obviously great for residents but it has also led to a further build up. During rush hour the area essentially becomes gridlocked.

“There has to be a way for the council to put in a traffic light system to allow motorists to access Roseburn Terrace from both Russell Road and Roseburn Street. Residents are facing the scenario where they are either trapped in their streets or have to drive the opposite way and cut through areas like Gorgie just to leave Roseburn.

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“So far the council has not done anything about it. There are a lot of us becoming quite frustrated. The current layout is not safe for pedestrians, cyclists or motorists.”

Councillor Scott Arthur, the transport and environment convener at the council, said: “We’re aware of local concerns at this location and recently carried out traffic monitoring which is being reviewed to consider whether we need to introduce any mitigations or changes to the junction.

“The alterations to the junction in question were made as part of the City Centre West to East Cycle Link and Street Improvements project, which will be complete at the end of this month. The project also included improved footways, additional crossings and protected cycleways on affected streets. The project has a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation plan to ensure that we can consider any necessary changes.

“We’re grateful to local residents for their input, and for their patience, as we all get used to the changes. I’m confident that this project will transform the area, providing a much improved environment for spending time and visiting local businesses, and I look forward to the benefits it will bring.”