Response to Historic Environment Scotland’s Holyrood Park consultation

The University’s Estate department responded to a consultation on the future of Holyrood Park, opened by Historic Environment Scotland.

Response ID ANON-XKHF-W39S-7

Submitted to Outline Strategic Plan for Holyrood Park
Submitted on 2023-12-18 14:02:42

Your Data

How and why you use Holyrood Park

1 What are your main motivations for visiting Holyrood Park? Select all that apply

Recreation and leisure, Exercise, Commuting, Other (please specify in the text box below)

Free text field if you have selected other:

2 How often do you use Holyrood Park?

Everyday

3 Which transport method do you usually use in Holyrood Park? Select all that apply

Walk, Bike, Car, Motorcycle, Taxi

Free text field if you have selected other:

4 How long do you usually spend in Holyrood Park?

N/A

5 Which parts of Holyrood Park do you visit, or have visited, most regularly? Select all that apply (a map of the Park is available in the ‘useful information’ section above)

Not sure

Free text field if you have selected other:

6 How far do you live from Holyrood Park? (If you’re not sure, give your best estimate)

9-10 miles

7 What is your relationship to Edinburgh? Select all that apply

Work in Edinburgh, Live in Edinburgh, Study in Edinburgh

The Park and Plan

8 Have you encountered any of the following issues when using Holyrood Park? Select all that apply

• Deteriorating or damaged footpaths
• Safety issues or potential incidents between pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles

Free text field if you have selected other:

The off-road cycle path and pedestrian path connecting the roundabout on the west side of the park to St Margaret’s Loch is too narrow and the access points (dropped kerbs) are not frequent enough and difficult to use safely. As a result it is preferable to use the road (if you are a confident cyclist) but
you then have to cycle in speeding traffic (the 20mph limit is rarely respected). Plans developed by the Council to improve this route were welcomed and supported by the University, as these also addressed the need to link either end of this route to onward travel.

9 Are any of the above a reason why you do not visit Holyrood Park, or areas within the Park?

Yes (please tell us more about the issue)

Free text field if you have selected yes:

We carry out an annual travel survey of our 50,000+ students and staff. We ask respondents what prevents them from cycling and the most popular reason is the lack of good quality segregated cycling infrastructure in the city.

10 Which of the following should be prioritised? Rank in order of importance 1=top priority, 7=lowest priority

Which of the following should be prioritised? – Improvements to deteriorating or damaged footpaths:
4

Which of the following should be prioritised? – Restore natural areas of the Park, such as landscapes and habitats:
6

Which of the following should be prioritised? – Restore historic areas of the Park, such as archaeological sites and heritage buildings and places:
7

Which of the following should be prioritised? – Improve access and the reopening of routes and areas of the Park:
2

Which of the following should be prioritised? – Improve safety in relation to risk or incidents pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles:
1

Which of the following should be prioritised? – Improve safety in relation to rockfall, unstable terrain, etc:
3

Which of the following should be prioritised? – Improve safety in relation to issues such as fires, vandalism, anti-social behaviour etc:
5

11 Based on the above questions, please provide any additional comments

Free text field for additional comments:

Priority selected reflects the fact that this survey has been completed purely within my remit as the University’s Travel and Transport Manager, which natually means that actions to improve sustainable travel will be prioritised.

12 The Plan sets out seven Guiding Principles as areas of focus for the Park’s future. On a scale of 1 – 5, to what extent do you agree or disagree that these are important and relevant to the Park’s future? (1 – Strongly agree; 5 – Strongly disagree)

On a scale of 1 – 5, to what extent do you agree or disagree that the Principles of the Plan are important and relevant to the Park’s future? – Put People First – To serve people by providing accessible greenspace, access to nature, and providing benefits in the face of climate change:

1 – Strongly agree

On a scale of 1 – 5, to what extent do you agree or disagree that the Principles of the Plan are important and relevant to the Park’s future? – Sustain the Park’s Special Qualities and Values – To sustain, safeguard, and enhance the unique character and special qualities of the Park including its built heritage,
nature, and landscape:

1 – Strongly agree

On a scale of 1 – 5, to what extent do you agree or disagree that the Principles of the Plan are important and relevant to the Park’s future? – Strengthen Climate Action & Resilience – To ensure that all future decisions relating to the Park seek to make a positive contribution to climate change mitigation:

1 – Strongly agree

On a scale of 1 – 5, to what extent do you agree or disagree that the Principles of the Plan are important and relevant to the Park’s future? – Be Guided by Nature – To ensure all future decisions are founded on letting natural processes lead the way, leading to a changed, but more sustainable landscape:

1 – Strongly agree

On a scale of 1 – 5, to what extent do you agree or disagree that the Principles of the Plan are important and relevant to the Park’s future? – Accept Holyrood Park as a Contested Place – To create a space for open and transparent communication and discussion, even in situations when not all parties will accept or welcome certain decisions relating to the Park:

1 – Strongly agree

On a scale of 1 – 5, to what extent do you agree or disagree that the Principles of the Plan are important and relevant to the Park’s future? – Experiment and Learn – To ensure that future management embraces the potential for the Park to become a place for developing, testing, and sharing innovative ideas around the role of urban green space, urban living, climate change, biodiversity, health, and wellbeing:

1 – Strongly agree

On a scale of 1 – 5, to what extent do you agree or disagree that the Principles of the Plan are important and relevant to the Park’s future? – Operate Sustainably – To ensure that all decisions contribute to moving towards a Net Zero operational model, increase revenue to support investment, and to
reduce subsidy funding requirements:

1 – Strongly agree

13 Which of the seven Guiding Principles should be prioritised? Rank in order of importance 1 – top priority, 7 – lowest priority

Which of the seven Guiding Principles should be prioritised? – Put People First:
1

Which of the seven Guiding Principles should be prioritised? – Sustain the Park’s Special Qualities and Values:
2

Which of the seven Guiding Principles should be prioritised? – Strengthen Climate Action & Resilience:
3

Which of the seven Guiding Principles should be prioritised? – Be Guided by Nature:
4

Which of the seven Guiding Principles should be prioritised? – Accept Holyrood Park as a Contested Place:
7

Which of the seven Guiding Principles should be prioritised? – Experiment and Learn:
6

Which of the seven Guiding Principles should be prioritised? – Operate Sustainably:
5

14 Please provide a reason for why you chose your top priority

Free text field for a reason for why you chose your top priority :

Put People First – this is the leading guiding principle because it sets the tone for the other 6. It is the key to delivering on the other 6.

The Future of Holyrood Park

15 In future, Holyrood Park should do the following: (select three that you feel are of most importance)

• Promote wellness and recreation
• Provide access to greenspace for local people and visitors
• Other (please specify in the text box below)

Free text field if you have selected other:

16 What benefits do you think Holyrood Park should bring to people’s lives? Select all that apply

• Improved physical wellbeing through recreational activities and accessible green space
• Improved mental wellbeing through recreational activities and accessible green space
• Provide a space for outdoor social interactions and activities

Free text field if you have selected other:

17 Is there anything else that you feel should be included as an area of focus for the Park’s future?

Free text field to answer question:

18 Do you have any additional comments or concerns about the Outline Strategic Plan for Holyrood Park, or any of the consultation material provided via the link on the questionnaire’s welcome page?

Free text field for additional comments or concerns :

The strategy is not recognising the impact of the enforcement of the LEZ from June 2024 is likely to have: displacing vehicles through the Park. HES need to recognise this and expedite actions to reduce vehicle traffic through the park. 24/7 closure of the roads should be the ultimate goal, but it is critical to
recognise that road closures have the potential to negatively impact on surrounding communities by increasing traffic levels. HES must work with the Council to plan for road closures within the wider context of the city.

Car parking facilities at the Park’s perimeter ought to prioritise Blue Badge holders, and onwards mobility options should be provided so that everyone can enjoy the Park e.g. electric wheelchairs, mobility scooters, adapted bikes, ebikes. The Park could provide examplar opportunities for people to experience these mobility solutions. The Strategy should include working with community organisations to deliver these community benefits. More cycle parking is needed around the park.