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David Key

@davidfkey.bsky.social

City of Edinburgh Councillor. Promoted by David Key, 16 North St Andrew Street, Edinburgh

53 Posts405 Follower 563 Folgt

Merchiston Districts Community Council @merchistoncc.bsky.social · 3w ago

Leaf clearing volunteers needed 🍂 We invite residents to join the Volunteer Team in the Merchiston Leaf Clearing Project Learn more and get in touch to help out! merchistoncc.org.uk/the-merchist...

People sweeping and picking up fallen leaves at the side of a road. A young boy crouches down to pick up leaves while a woman behind him holds open a large black bag

SpokesLothian @spokes.org.uk · 3w ago

#GeorgeStreet #PrincesStreet 🙋 Spokes #TrafficCount ! 🚲 are 1 in 3 of all traffic ! #VoiBikes success ! #CCWEL #MissingLink vital --> www.spokes.org.uk/2026/10/city... @edi.bike @chdot.bsky.social @edfoc.bsky.social @edtiss.bsky.social @davidfkey.bsky.social @chasbooth.bsky.social @sw20.info

City Centre: bikes now 1 in 3 in rush hour

A Spokes traffic count in George Street and Princes Street on 24 September found bikes forming over 30% of all vehicles in the morning peak period, and over 20% at lunchtime. Other findings suggest a major boost to bike travel thanks to the Council’s Voi bike hire scheme.

Our count was conducted to add concrete evidence to current uncertainties over the future of both streets, with Princes Street likely to remain 4 lanes of tarmac for the some years to come and no funding available for the ambitious but extremely costly George Street proposals for a semi-pedestrianised ‘cycle street’ (albeit with significant motor traffic at times!). The money which had been intended for George Street will now go to repaving Princes Street footways with high-cost materials in what Cllr Lang termed a “glorified resurfacing project.”

Thus, whichever east-west route best suits a cyclist’s journey, Princes Street or George Street, cycling conditions in both look set to remain dire, with a major central gap remaining in CCWEL, the Council’s City Centre West-East Link, unless the Council thinks again.

map showing CCWEL missing link along George Street

Blackford Safe Routes @blackfordsaferoutes.co.uk · 3w ago

What happens when you create a high-traffic neighbourhood by removing the modal filters on the Braid Estate… SUVs end up on their side Junction of Braid Rd and Hermitage Dr. Around school pick up time, Thursday 1st Oct

A black SUV on its side with the underside visible. A police car in the foreground and an ambulance in the background. A police officer stands in hi viz beside the SUV. The pole of a zebra crossing can be seen in the foreground

The same as the first picture, but zoomed in on the overturned SUV

David Key @davidfkey.bsky.social · 4w ago

After the “trauma” (😀) of running this year’s London Marathon, I swore I’d never do another. Doh! #AlzheimerScotland #EdinburghMarathon2027 @alzscot.bsky.social

SpokesLothian @spokes.org.uk · 4w ago

📈 #FlashFlood hits @thebikestation.bsky.social 🤩 Spokes is matchfunding the #Crowdfunder 🚲 helps tackle #ClimateCrisis; but #floods fight back! 🙋 Donate-> www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/keep-us-ro... @edi.bike @chdot.bsky.social @davidfkey.bsky.social @chasbooth.bsky.social @drscottarthurmp.bsky.social

Photo Inside the bike stn, showing the flood damage

Edinburgh Bike Charity launches crowdfunder after flash flooding forced workshop to close

The Bike Station, a Scottish charity which promotes cycling through sales of affordable refurbished bikes and a variety of community programmes including a free library of children's bikes, has launched a fundraiser after flash flooding in Edinburgh’s Old Town affected its Tollcross branch.

On 19 August 2026, extremely heavy rainfall led to flash flooding in several areas of the Old Town including South Bridge and the Grassmarket. At the same time, the basement workshop of The Bike Station in Tollcross was flooded, forcing staff to evacuate, and causing damage which took over a week to repair.

While The Bike Station has now re-opened its Tollcross branch, the charity is feeling the impact of losing over a week of work and revenue during its busiest time of the year, with demand for bikes at its highest and the communities programme in full swing as schools return from summer holidays. In the wake of the flood, the charity has launched an online fundraiser, aiming to raise £10,000 to support the ongoing recovery of the Tollcross workshop, and its varied community projects working with children and young people, asylum seekers, and groups which are underrepresented in cycling.

“We are so proud of our amazing mechanic and branch team for the work that they do year-round, and we are particularly proud of the pace at which they have been able to recover and rebuild from this flood. Extreme weather events are only going to happen more often due to climate change, so we are more determined than ever to carry on our work helping everyone to enjoy a sustainable, and joyful, mode of transport.” Sasha Taylor, CEO of The Bike Station.

The crowdfunder can is available via this link, and more information about the work of The Bike Station is on the website.

Photos are available here.

For any further information please contact Sarah McArthur at sarah.mcarthur@thebikestation.org.…

Extreme weather makes The Bike Station’s mission even more important- support us to get more people using sustainable and joyful transport.

August in Edinburgh is always busy!! - but this August was also difficult. Will you help us to raise £10,000 to ensure more people can choose cycling? Everything you donate will be match-funded by Spokes, up to £5000!

August is one of our busiest times at The Bike Station- especially in Tollcross. Our branch is buzzing as more people want to get moving on two wheels. We refurbish over 125 bikes in the month. Downstairs in the tiny but mighty Tollcross workshop, our amazing mechanics work their magic and dozens of high quality lovingly refurbished bikes. For August and September everyone is on full speed to keep up with demand.

That is, until extreme weather brings everything to a stop

Merchiston Districts Community Council @merchistoncc.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Our next public meeting is Tues 15 Sept 2026 7pm - Polwarth Tennis & Bowling Clubhouse 🗣️ All residents invited to attend & share views! Register at merchistoncc@gmail.com Agenda: 🏠 Napier Uni reps on plans to sell Merchiston Campus site 🍂 Leaf Clearing volunteer project 🚶Road safety initiatives

David Key @davidfkey.bsky.social · 2mo ago

So, why has the Israeli-owned Navitas Petroleum been given a licence to drill for oil off the Falklands? @drscottarthurmp.bsky.social

SpokesLothian @spokes.org.uk · 2mo ago

Spokes members' views on #Granton #tramline and #PrincesStreet --> www.spokes.org.uk/2026/09/spok... @edi.bike @chdot.bsky.social @edfoc.bsky.social @stephenjenkinson.bsky.social @chasbooth.bsky.social @kevin-lang.bsky.social @davidfkey.bsky.social @edinreporter.bsky.social @joshpizpom.bsky.social

Spokes members’ views on tramline & city centre controversies

Spokes operates through working groups of dedicated volunteers, not by referendum. However, in the rare case of major controversy or the need for further evidence we may conduct a survey to gauge the views of the wider membership, and whether our central decisions are reasonably compatible.

In this survey we sought member feedback on route options for the proposed northern tramline extension (Granton to City Centre) and on the relative roles of Princes Street and George Street for cycling.

Northern Tramline Extension

On the northern tramline extension, there is very strong agreement (over 80%) on an extension. However marginally over a quarter of members (27%) say this must be via Orchard Brae, whilst marginally under a quarter (23%) say it must be via Roseburn; whilst 30% find both options acceptable. Thus, in total, 57% find the Orchard Brae route acceptable, and 53% the Roseburn route, a difference well within 95% confidence levels, as in the graph below from the above full report.

Importantly, comments suggest that support for either route is conditional on the preservation of safe, segregated active travel corridors on both.

Princes Street / George Street

The Council is shortly taking decisions on the future of Princes Street – although whether that will finally settle anything, given the years of prevarication and changing of minds, remains to be seen! Whatever is decided for Princes Street will also have major implications for George Street, where the long-debated proposals remain in limbo due to the massive costs of the current design.

Spokes has always argued that high quality conditions for cycling (and certainly for walking) are essential in both streets. For many journeys, they are not alternatives, and indeed to use George Street as a Princes Street bypass, as parts of the Council sometimes suggest, would on some journeys entail crossing tramlines twice and/or turning across major traffic flows on and off the linking streets.

Our survey found that somewhat more members currently use George Street than Princes Street, but that there is huge suppressed demand for Princes Street. If in future cycle facilities on each street were equally good, around 30% would find Princes Street most useful for their journeys compared to 15% for George Street (30% would find both equally useful).

Princes Street is seen by many as a direct, scenic route with fewer junctions, but plagued by hazards, while George Street feels safer but is often an inconvenient detour. Comments suggest that concerns about safety on Princes Street cause many respondents to avoid it entirely – and indeeed 36% of respondents say they never cycle along Princes Street compared to 26% who never cycle along George Street.

Merchiston Districts Community Council @merchistoncc.bsky.social · 2mo ago

🥳 Merchiston Ave/Colinton Rd: New project examining this busy junction (near Starbucks/Tesco). It's a key entry for local rat-runs. The Community Council is collaborating with the Road Safety Officer to improve safety for pedestrians & cyclists. We need your views!🚶

Polwarth and Merchiston Road Safety schemes are developing well and need your input – Merchiston Districts Community Council %

Latest news about key road safety initiatives, focused on the Merchiston Ave / Polwarth Crescent / Yeaman Place corridor. Learn more and share your views!

merchistoncc.org.uk

SpokesLothian @spokes.org.uk · 2mo ago

👍 🤩 spokes.org.uk is now #MobileFriendly !! 🙋 We specially recommend the #SpokesComp article -> www.spokes.org.uk/2026/07/spok... 🤩 Great prizes @edi.bike @chdot.bsky.social @edfoc.bsky.social @sw20.info @bjpaddy.bsky.social @davidfkey.bsky.social @magnatom.bsky.social @secretedinburgh.bsky.social

Picture of website competition article, viewed on mobile

Picture of website article about Amsterdam video, viewed on mobile

Picture of website article about spokes traffic count, viewed on mobile

Merchiston Districts Community Council @merchistoncc.bsky.social · 2mo ago

This Saturday 22 Aug is the Edinburgh Canal Raft Race - free to join! 🏆 Raft Race - come along and cheer! 🛶 Canoe tasters from Driftwood Adventures (12-2pm) and Lochrin Belle boat trips (12-3, booking advised) 🎵 Music and more! Full details: edinburghcanalfestival.org.uk/about-the-ra...

A poster with information about the Edinburgh Canal raft race Sat 22nd Aug 2026 12-4pm - free and open to all.

Part of Edinburgh Canal FEstival Summer events. this would not be possible without all the support we are receiving from volunteers, organisations, sponsors and funders.
Whether you're racing with your team or cheering from the towpath, come and be part of the fun.
Meet FCCT - Fountainbridge Canalside Community Trust
Raft Race - booking required, spectators welcome
Canal boat trips - booking details at our website
Andy Chung - music and event commentary

SpokesLothian @spokes.org.uk · 2mo ago

#SpokesComp - new prize! 🙋 @wolct.bsky.social £10 cafe voucher 🙋 Enter now! -> www.spokes.org.uk/2026/07/spok... @edi.bike @chdot.bsky.social @edfoc.bsky.social @gavincorbett.bsky.social @bjpaddy.bsky.social @sw20.info @davidfkey.bsky.social @simitakumar.bsky.social @drscottarthurmp.bsky.social

Picture from WOLCT home page, showing the river and canal acqueduct

Picture of the cafe

Community Café

Our volunteer run café serves delicious snacks, coffees & teas – enjoy sit-in or takeaway.
Café Opening Times

Daily 10am to 4pm

What the centre does (AND! it sells Spokes maps) ..

The Visitor Centre

The Water of Leith Visitor Centre is situated in a renovated schoolhouse by the Water of Leith. It combines a free exhibition together with a community cafe selling teas, coffees, freshly baked goods and snacks. There’s also a gift shop selling eco friendly and wildlife themes books and gifts. The Centre is accessible to wheelchairs throughout and caters well for families with young children, and dogs.

The centre serves as a base for our volunteer conservation activities and includes rooms available to hire for events and birthday parties.

Open Daily
10am to 4pm

Our Visitor Centre and Community Cafe is staffed by our lovely volunteer team, pop in for excellent value refreshments, fresh baking and all manner of river information.

Merchiston Districts Community Council @merchistoncc.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Edinburgh Napier University set to sell off its Merchiston Campus but not before 2031/2032 according to their Principal Prof Sue Rigby. In a letter, she said they will undertake student, staff, and community engagement ahead of any transition. We look forward to engaging with them.

Edinburgh Napier University set to sell original Merchiston site

‘Our Merchiston campus is no longer fit for the future,’ - Edinburgh Napier Unversity

edinburghnews.scotsman.com

David Key @davidfkey.bsky.social · 3mo ago

If you’ve never seen Black Watch, now is your chance: www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...

ArtWorks Scotland - The Black Watch

Hard-hitting play that combines words, music and song to deliver a frank and unvarnished account of a Scottish regiment serving in the Iraq war.

bbc.co.uk

SpokesLothian @spokes.org.uk · 3mo ago

#CityPlan2040 🙋 Phenomenal amount of info in the new @edinburghcouncil.bsky.social @planningedin.bsky.social 'Evidence Report' --> www.edinburgh.gov.uk/local-develo... @edi.bike @edfoc.bsky.social @chdot.bsky.social @thecockburn.bsky.social @davidfkey.bsky.social @chasbooth.bsky.social @sw20.info

Start of Council web page on the city plan...

City Plan 2040
In this section…

You are here:
City Plan 2040
Engagement

We have started work on City Plan 2040 which will be our next local development plan after City Plan 2030.

There are several stages that we need to go through as we prepare City Plan 2040.
Evidence Report

The Evidence Report is the first stage of the City Plan 2040 process. We have completed our Evidence Report and it was approved by Planning Committee on 3 June 2026 and agreed by Council on 25 June 2026. It will be submitted to the Scottish Government for ‘Gate Check’ who will decide whether we have sufficient evidence to start to prepare the Proposed Plan.

The Evidence Report contains 26 topic papers on a range of subjects and 17 Place Profiles for the different wards within the city. It sets out implications for the evidence that need to be considered for the Proposed Plan.

You will be able to view the Evidence Report here shortly. In the meantime, you can see it via the Planning Committee papers here

The Evidence Report includes extensive data on each city ward, including active travel maps for each ward - this is the Leith one

Bar chart from the Evidence Report, showing how people travel to stations in Edinburgh & surrounding

The Evidence Report includes main points from all relevant council strategies, include this one on climate...

2030 Climate Strategy
Edinburgh’s 2030 Climate Strategy was approved in 2021. It sets out the steps that
Edinburgh will take to tackle the challenge of climate change and achieve the aim of
becoming a net zero city by 2030. The Strategy is guided by seven core principles:
• Just transition
• Progressive policy
• Adapting to unavoidable climate change and preventing future emissions
• Reducing our global footprint
• Fabric first
• Electrification first
• Creating 20-minute neighbourhoods.
Topic Papers 79
One of the Strategy’s visions is that it will create resilient places and spaces for low-
carbon living, underpinned by putting in place new planning policies that enable net
zero, climate resilient growth through a new local development plan.
To achieve its aims of tackling climate change and achieving net zero by 2030, the
Climate Strategy includes seven priority actions and a series of wider actions. These
actions include measures that encourage increased net zero emission transport by:
• Investing in active travel
• Developing integrated public transport
• Decarbonising buses
• Improving local air quality
• Better management of the city centre
• Supporting public sector transition to electric vehicles
• Delivering electric vehicle infrastructure
• Engaging with citizens.

David Key @davidfkey.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Never a dull day as a Councillor!😀 edinburghcarnival.uk/pages/edinbu... #edinburghfestivalcarnival

Charles Keener @charleskeener.bsky.social · 5mo ago

SpokesLothian @spokes.org.uk · 5mo ago

#SpokesCount: ... 🚲 up everywhere! 🤔 #VoiBikes #CostOfLiving @cllrconorsavage.bsky.social @davidfkey.bsky.social @cllrbenparker.bsky.social @finlaymcf.bsky.social @cllrjomo.bsky.social @cllrcmiller.bsky.social @leftwing66.bsky.social @jackrmcaldwell.bsky.social @katrinafaccenda.bsky.social

SpokesLothian@spokes.org.uk · 5mo ago

#SpokesCount 🚲 up everywhere! 🚲 31% of citybound #ForrestRoad 🚘 single-occupancy 👇 -> www.spokes.org.uk/2026/05/spok... ?Reasons 🤔 #VoiBikes 🤔 #CostOfLiving @edi.bike @edinreporter.bsky.social @edinburghminute.com @chdot.bsky.social @edfoc.bsky.social @edtiss.bsky.social @thecockburn.bsky.social

Start of spokes article...

Spokes traffic count May 2026: Bikes up everywhere!

Our regular May traffic count, at Lothian Road and Forrest Road, found bikes up everywhere: northbound and southbound, morning rush hour and lunchtime. With car numbers fairly static compared to last year, bikes rose to 19.2% of all vehicles in the morning and 12.3% at lunchtime, our highest post-pandemic figures. At Forrest Road, morning bikes formed 31% of all northbound vehicles, almost one in three.

Parallel counts by Spokes Porty members found the highest ever number of bikes during both time periods, whilst analysis of automatic counter data by Edward Tissiman (below) has found substantial 2026 bike use growth on Leith Walk.

Interestingly, car single-occupancy in our central area count fell to its lowest ever level, although that was not the case at Portobello.

David Key @davidfkey.bsky.social · 6mo ago

Great review of a fantastic show: www.theguardian.com/music/2026/m...

Rosalía review – ribcage-rattling riot is one of the boldest, most highbrow arena shows in pop history

The ambition of 2025 album Lux is scaled up even bigger by the Catalan megastar, delivered with operatic vocals and en pointe ballet moves as well as funny asides and glasses of wine

theguardian.com

SpokesLothian @spokes.org.uk · 6mo ago

😍 #VisitEdinburgh "Doing #cycling #walking #bus #tram #train all the same day is cool" @edi.bike @edfoc.bsky.social @visit-scotland.bsky.social @stephenjenkinson.bsky.social @secretedinburgh.bsky.social @lordwoolamaloo.bsky.social @thecockburn.bsky.social @threadinburgh.scot @davidfkey.bsky.social

Coastway Will@coastwaywill.me · 6mo ago

Things I've learnt over a weekend in Edinburgh with @pacerclara.insanity.tube and Gaelan 🚲 Using the Voi Bikes to do a really cool circular of Edinburgh is absolutely amazing 🚋 Doing cycling, walking, bus, tram and train all in the same day is cool ♥️ This was time well spent with amazing people

A screenshot of our cycling route in Google Maps which shows a cyan line down Leith Walk and the main cycle route in Edinburgh

David Key @davidfkey.bsky.social · 6mo ago

It was painful but fun! Huge thanks to everyone who donated and supported❤️ 2026tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/david-key

David Key @davidfkey.bsky.social · 6mo ago

Week to go before the London Marathon. Been busy in Italy with William doing some “carb building” and then in the Highlands doing some “cold weather acclimatisation”. Next Sunday night I’ll be in London tucking in to a steak🤞. Please share the link🙏: 2026tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/david-key

Led By Donkeys @ledbydonkeys.org · 7mo ago

The Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace, Washington DC

David Key @davidfkey.bsky.social · 7mo ago

Another lovely spring day out campaigning for the bright and breezy @simitakumar.bsky.social #VoteSNP #EdinburghSouthWestern

SpokesLothian @spokes.org.uk · 7mo ago

#Paris #election #Car numbers & #AirPollution down 50% in 20 years 👍 Result.. First round big lead for continued socialist/green mayor --> www.france24.com/en/france/20... @edi.bike @stephenjenkinson.bsky.social @chasbooth.bsky.social @edfoc.bsky.social @sw20.info @davidfkey.bsky.social

The race for Paris: Why France’s capital has likely gone green for good
France

With France preparing to vote in the first round of the municipal elections on Sunday, Paris has become a battleground between left- and right-wing forces fighting to shape the capital’s future. But while conservatives once fought tooth and nail against the left’s dream of a city of more trees and less traffic, a look through the rival programmes suggests a greener capital is here to stay.

For the outgoing administration of Socialist Mayor Anne Hidalgo, the fruits of the city’s green transformation brook no argument.

Carbon emissions have dropped by almost a third since 2004, and major air pollutants by half over roughly the same period. A city known for its densely packed Hausmmannian apartment blocks has witnessed the planting of some 150,000 trees since 2020 as of March 2026 – though almost a third of these have apparently been replacements for those struck down over the years.

Perhaps the most obvious change, to visitors and locals alike, has been the heavy reduction in the amount of traffic heaving its way across the city: the number of cars in circulation has dropped by more than half since 2004, largely due to a series of policies by the city’s Socialist mayors to prioritise pedestrians and cyclists.

Nowhere does this transformation feel more complete than along the banks of the Seine that carves the city in two. More than a decade ago, Hidalgo’s predecessor Bertrand Delanoë banned cars from the winding river’s left bank for the first time since the 1960s.

The measure was fiercely opposed by the city’s right-wing opposition – including the mayor of the wealthy 7th arrondissement, Rachida Dati, who polls now put within striking distance of the Hôtel de Ville. In the years that followed, Dati and her allies continued to campaign against the pedestrianisation of the river’s right bank, the Pont d’Iena and swathes of the city centre.

Today’s Dati, by contrast, is unrecognisable. Preaching what she calls a “pragmatic environmentalism”, she is running on the promise to preserve Paris’s 200,000 trees, enrich the capital with 500 new green belts and create “oases of freshness” by stripping away asphalt in favour of grass-lined cobblestones. Above all, she says, she will put the Parisian pedestrian “at the heart of her campaign”.
Going green

The conservative former culture minister is not the only one on the right who has changed their tune on a greener Paris.

David Key @davidfkey.bsky.social · 7mo ago

Another bright and breezy day on the campaign trail for @simitakumar.bsky.social #voteSNP #EdinburghSouthWestern

SpokesLothian @spokes.org.uk · 8mo ago

🤩 Join Spokes by March 31 and you'll get a free copy of #FavouriteBikeRides [in mid or late April - all members will get one] Join--> www.spokes.org.uk/membership/ @edi.bike @edfoc.bsky.social @chdot.bsky.social @edinreporter.bsky.social @davidfkey.bsky.social @helenrambler.bsky.social @sw20.info

Membership « Spokes

spokes.org.uk

SpokesLothian@spokes.org.uk · 8mo ago

🚲🚲 #FavouriteBikeRides #Edinburgh/ #Lothians - out now! HERE-> www.spokes.org.uk/2026/03/favo... @edi.bike @edfoc.bsky.social @edinreporter.bsky.social @edinburghminute.com @gavincorbett.bsky.social @laidbackbikes.bsky.social @gregorsteele.bsky.social @edcriticalmass.bsky.social @wolct.bsky.social

cover page of new Spokes Favourite Bike Rides booklet, with photos of some of the rides inside

David Key @davidfkey.bsky.social · 7mo ago

Six weeks to go! Time for a coffee and 🥐 after a breezy run along the canal. Please share my link if you can, thanks 🙏 2026tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/david-key

David Key - London Marathon 2026

Childhood Dementia Seven years ago our son, Alexander, was diagnosed with Niemann-Pick Type C disease (NPC). This very rare genetic disorder, and similar neuro-degenerative conditions, are collectivel

2026tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com

Edinburgh Bus Users Group @edinburghbug.bsky.social · 10mo ago

Calling all politicos on Bluesky... Still wondering what to get bus users for Christmas? The perfect present would be your party putting this in its 2026 manifesto. edinburghbususers.group/ebug-suggest... (Even if it's 'delayed in the post' till the New Year)

EBUG suggestions for 2026 Holyrood election manifestos

Elections for Holyrood (7 May 2026) are on the horizon. EBUG has sent a list of key bus-related ‘calls for action’ to every political party with an identifiable manifesto contact.

edinburghbususers.group