Our proposals
After talking with Merchiston Districts Community Council, local businesses and local councillors, we've developed 2 options.
The main difference is that Option 2 has a pedestrian drop kerb crossing where Polwarth Gardens and Granville Terrace meet Merchiston Avenue, and includes an extra loading bay (which replaces the pedestrian drop crossing and refuge island from Option 1).
The plans show these key improvements
- Much more space for pedestrians on pavements.
- Moving the current zebra crossing closer to where people want to cross and raising it with a flat top.
- A new raised zebra crossing over the Polwarth Crescent arm of the junction.
- Replacing the mini-roundabout with a simple T-junction that puts pedestrians first and is better for cyclists.
- In front of Pizza Corner, Option 1 has a new drop crossing with pedestrian refuge, Option 2 has an additional loading bay for local businesses with a pedestrian drop crossing to the east.
- A raised pedestrian crossing over the Merchiston Avenue arm of the junction.
- Making the Polwarth Gardens/Granville Terrace junction narrower so traffic from Merchiston Avenue can see oncoming traffic from Granville Terrace more easily.
- Narrowing the road so pedestrians can cross more easily and drivers slow down.
- Better drop crossings with tactile pavers to help disabled people and wheelchair users.
- Removing clutter including all current pedestrian guard rails and bollards.
- Street greening and seating (we're still exploring options for this).
- Visitor cycle parking.
- A contraflow cycle lane along Merchiston Avenue from Merchiston Mews to Granville Terrace.
- Replacing the bus shelter with a smaller one that has half sides, a bench and provides better shelter.
- 2 disabled parking bays.
- Formal loading bays. 2 bays for Option 1 or 3 bays for Option 2.
Download Option 1 and Option 2 plans for Polwarth road improvements.