Campaign groups have accused council chiefs of ‘one-sided spin’ in a consultation on whether to make its controversial ‘Spaces for People schemes permanent, according to The Edinburgh Evening News.
image: for illustration purposes only – Fiona Newton
… we know this is simply not representative of communications the council has received…
The Edinburgh Evening News writes:
Last month, Edinburgh City Council approved the first steps towards making the road closures, traffic-calming measures, cycle lanes and pedestrianised areas permanent by launching a city-wide consultation.
However, community groups and businesses which are opposed to the plans have raised concerns that some of the language used during the launch of the consultation on the Spaces for People schemes, which impact nearly 120 streets across Edinburgh, has undermined the credibility of the consultation…
Paul Bailey, a Braid Road resident and campaigner against the Spaces for People schemes, said: “It’s bizarre to introduce a supposedly neutral public consultation with biased statements…”
Yolanda Luca, who owns the S.Luca ice cream business in Morningside, said: “… we know this is simply not representative of communications the council has received.”
In response, Liberton and Gilmerton councillor Lesley Macinnes said: “We’re running a wide-ranging and detailed consultation on whether the Spaces for People measures should be retained or not.
“We’ve designed a questionnaire using robust methodology to ensure all views can be analysed and fairly represented.
“Anything posted online or on social media has been to help promote the consultation and to ensure as many, varied opinions as possible are shared…
“Please take part in the consultation to tell us where these changes do, and don’t, work for you.”…
