Massive response to ‘fairer fares’ bus campaign

Over 1,000 local people have already signed up to local Lib Dem bus campaign to get a new direct Lothian Buses service between Queensferry, Kirkliston, Dalmeny and Edinburgh city centre.

Kevin said, “Alex and I have had an overwhelming response to this campaign. Local people are frustrated that despite being full council taxpayers to Edinburgh city council, there is still no direct Lothians service to the city centre.

“It all means local people often have to pay twice as much to get to Edinburgh than compared to people in Dalkeith, Musselburgh and Penicuik. It’s just not fair.”

You can add your support online here.

This week’s Queensferry Gazette has covered our local campaign.

Kirkliston Post Office future still in doubt

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There has been a great deal of concern after the subpostmaster gave notice of his intention to leave the network in September.

Post Office Ltd has advertised for a new operator and premises. Unfortunately, there hasn’t been any interest so far although they are continuing to seek a solution.

The good news is that the postmaster has agreed to delay his leaving date until the end of December so he will continue to provide a service for now.
I’ll provide updates as soon as they are received.

Kirkliston PO landscape small

 

Shock as new report finds 40% of Edinburgh roads in need of repair

A major new report has found that almost two in every five roads across in Edinburgh are in is in need of repair.  The report also found that the Labour/SNP administration running the Council has allowed the position to get worse over the last three years.

The report from Audit Scotland found that nearly 40% of streets should be considered for maintenance.

Local council candidate, Kevin Lang said, “This is a damning report for those running Edinburgh City Council.  Maintaining the roads is one of the most basic services which a Council can provide.  Yet Labour and the SNP have let the position get worse over the last three years.

“Every week, I hear from local residents fed up with the pot holes, broken kerbs and faded markings which plague their area.  It’s simply not good enough – we deserve much better than this.  We now need to review budgets and find new money to fix our broken roads.”

 

 

20mph rolled out across West Edinburgh

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Virtually all roads in Queensferry, Kirkliston, Dalmeny and Ratho Station will become 20mph from tomorrow (Sunday 31 July) as part of the roll out across Edinburgh.

As part of the effort to reduce vehicle speeds and improve safety, 20mph is being introduced across the city in stages over the next 18 months.

The first stage includes rural West Edinburgh.

Loca council candidate Kevin Lang said, “It’s important for the council to learn lessons from these early stages of the roll out. Local residents can let me know about any wrong signage. I’m also keen to hear how they effective they think the new 20mph areas are working.”

You can find out more information at www.edinburgh.gov.uk/20mph

Alex and Kevin launch “fairer fares” campaign

The local Liberal Democrat team has launched a major new “fairer fares” campaign to get Lothian Buses to start new direct services from our area to Edinburgh city centre.

Despite growing populations in Queensferry, Dalmeny and Kirkliston, there are still no direct bus services to the centre of Edinburgh from the council owned bus company, Lothian Buses. Other areas, including Penicuik, Musselburgh and Dalkeith, all of which are outside of the City of Edinburgh Council area already benefit from cheaper direct Lothian Buses to the city centre.

It all means bus fares to Edinburgh city centre from Queensferry, Dalmeny, Ratho Station and Kirkliston can cost TWICE as much as fares from parts of Midlothian and East Lothian.

Local MSP, Alex Cole-Hamilton said, “With more and more people living in Queensferry, Dalmeny and Kirkliston, now is the time for Lothian Buses to start new direct services to Edinburgh city centre. We need to redouble our efforts and get the council owned bus company to listen to local people.”

Local Lib Dem council candidate Kevin Lang said, “It’s simply not fair that local people here have to pay so much more to travel into the centre of Edinburgh than in places like Penicuik and Musselburgh which aren’t even in the City of Edinburgh council area. The Lib Dems believe people deserve better than this.”

You can support Alex and Kevin’s campaign by signing and returning petition using the following link.