Video: Cyclists to get two-stage right turn and bus stop bypasses on Edinburgh's Leith Walk

A two-stage right turn junction is to be installed on Edinburgh’s Leith Walk to prevent cyclists from having to wait in the middle of the road. Bypasses will also divert cycle lanes round the back of bus stops so that cyclists do not have to pull out to overtake stopped buses.

Cyclists turning at the McDonald Road junction on Leith Walk will soon be given priority over other vehicles via cycle-only green lights.

Right-turning cyclists will be directed left into McDonald Road before crossing and will be given priority in both stages of the process.

The layout will also enable riders to cross tram tracks at 90 degrees should the line be extended to Newhaven.

The measures are part of a new 700m long section of segregated cycle lane on Leith Walk between Iona Street and Brunswick Street. Both the junction and the bus stop bypasses are due to be in operation by the end of the month.

City council transport convener Lesley Macinnes told the Edinburgh Evening News: “By introducing the first two-stage right turn junction in Scotland, we are proud to be proving once again that Edinburgh is fully committed to making active travel [cycling and walking] as attractive and accessible as possible.”

However, Martin McDonnell, of Spokes, the Lothian Cycle Campaign, questioned the quality of the infrastructure.

“The design is not optimal due to lack of space,” he said. “There is concern that a cyclist turning left into the side road [to turn right] will be mistaken for a left-turning cyclist and drivers might be tempted to turn alongside them. We also have concerns about the cycleways being part of the pavement.”