The City of Edinburgh Council launches online platform for walkers and cyclists

Residents can now share suggestions on walking and cycling routes around the city. The Commonplace mapping tool, has been designed for the Edinburgh public to input into the best routes for maintaining physical distancing during the coronavirus pandemic. The tool allows residents to highlight ‘pinch points’ and barriers around the city where emergency measures could help people to move about more safely. They will also be able to report on improvements. The council said it will be taking information through the tool until the end of this month for shaping the way it spends £5 million it has been awarded by Transport Scotland to develop new routes. Councillor Lesley Macinnes, transport and environment convenor, said: “We’ve seen a real increase in cycling and walking since the beginning of lockdown and we want to help this to continue as we return to a sense of normality. We’ve already had an incredibly enthusiastic response from residents who also want to see calmer, safer conditions maintained as we return to normal. “This new tool is a great opportunity to involve the very people who use our streets to help shape our plans.”