Faced with a projected increase in car use of up to 33%, Lothian Regional Council has developed policies aimed at returning streets to the people. This paper looks at four policy areas where alternatives to the car are being implemented. These include a) measures which have led to an increase in local rail travel, b) measures planned to stabilise a decline in bus usage, c) measures to assist pedestrianisation in residential neighbourhoods and some shopping areas and d) ways to promote cycling for recreational and essential journeys so that recent increases are sustained. Measures have included traffic calming, traffic restraint, the construction of new stations and the use of bus lanes and bus gates. Also being considered are light rail, bus stop information and bus priority.
Abstract