Edinburgh unveils mapping tool for cycling and walking

The scheme, being run in collaboration with National Cycle Network charity Sustrans, will allow residents to highlight "pinch points" where emergency measures could help people maintain physical distancing safely on foot, bike or wheelchair. They will also be able to report on improvements.

The platform, dubbed Commonplace, has been designed to allow the public to add their own suggestions for the best routes around the city for maintaining physical distancing.

Friends, family and neighbours are being encouraged to share the tool, which is in line with Holyrood guidelines that "strongly recommend" residents do not travel more than five miles away from their homes.

Edinburgh Council said it will be gathering the data until the end of June, allowing it to shape the way it spends a £5 million grant it has been awarded this week by Transport Scotland to develop new routes.

Transport and environment convenor Councillor Lesley Macinnes 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."

Sustrans Scotland infrastructure manager Dave Keane added: "The City of Edinburgh Council has shown great ambition to make it easier for people to get around safely on foot, by bike or wheelchair during Phase 1 and beyond.

"We hope people living in Edinburgh will engage with the Commonplace mapping tool – it’s really simple, clear and easy to give feedback. Most importantly, it will help the council get a clear picture of where temporary interventions are needed most."