Travelling Safely projects

Updates on the projects

22 February 2024

We will give you up to two weeks' notice of the consultation period start dates for each ETRO by updating these pages and advertising in the press. We are aiming to advertise these in

  • City Centre, advertised on 9 February 2024 and consultation runs from 19 February to 18 August 2024
  • East, April 2024
  • West, April 2024
  • North, May 2024
  • South, May 2024

Each area will then have its own six month period following the start date when anyone can share their comments or objections.

We have kept all comments or objections from the previous six month period, November 2022 to May 2023, and will consider these in the final assessment of whether or not to retain or modify the measures. 

If you have commented previously you don't need to do so again, although you can if you wish.

June 2023

We have made changes to the ETROs for the travelling safely schemes. We will include information on this web page when they are re-advertised.

The monitoring and evaluation period will be extended, after which we will reduce the time to consider any permanent measures as much as possible.

All the comments we have received so far will continue to be included in the trial assessment report following the end of the consultation period.

26 April 2023

During the Covid-19 pandemic, we introduced temporary measures under the Scottish Government funded Spaces for People programme. The aim was to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists. They supported physical distancing so that people could get around the city safely by

  • walking
  • wheeling
  • cycling

They also helped business to re-open safely, giving additional space for queues and outdoor seating.

As the Council works toward its net zero carbon aims by 2030, we are keen to create a lasting legacy from the benefits that may people found in using the temporary measures.

Councillors on the Transport and Environment Committee agreed to keep most of the temporary Spaces for People measures so that we can trial them for a further 18 months. This will allow us to test them now that traffic has returned to 'normal' or new levels. We will be able to test them out for a longer period when traffic is closer to 'normal' levels. We will get a better insight into how they are working and inform if we need to make any changes if they are made permanent. Obviously, any permanent measures would go through the formal (TRO) approval process

We hope that the 18-month trial will

  • encourage more people to switch to sustainable ways to travel
  • make it more pleasant, easier and safer for people to explore their local area
  • support high street and city centre businesses by providing more space for people
  • improve road safety
  • improve our health and wellbeing
  • reduce carbon dioxide emissions, to help the city achieve its net zero carbon aims by 2030.

Existing schemes around schools are currently being considered under the citywide School Travel Plan Review. They are not included in the travelling safely programme.

The schemes now have yellow lines and/or areas where vehicles are prohibited, using Experimental Traffic Regulation Orders (ETRO). These regulations have changed recently. To comply with the changes, we legally have to gather people's views on the trials over a six-month period.