Getting action on pot holes and broken pavements

Today was budget day in the Council. Along with our fellow Liberal Democrat councillors, we proposed an extra £4.5 million to sort out the disgraceful state of roads and pavements in the city. This was 5 times what the SNP/Labour administration were proposing in terms of additional investment.

Kevin used his budget speech to talk about why this investment was so important to sort out pot holes and broken pavements in many of the areas we represent.

Unfortunately, SNP and Labour councillors running the city rejected our proposals. We will keep fighting to get action in our communities but that job has been made more difficult by the refusal of the administration to invest the money needed.

Major roadworks planned for Barnton junction and Queensferry Road (Feb/Mar 2018)

We have been informed of major road works to resurface parts of the Barnton junction and Queensferry Road.  These will start on 26 February and involve closures, temporary traffic lights and diversions so it is important for people to plan ahead.

The works will take place in the evenings and at night in order to avoid the busy peak traffic periods.  The roads should be open as normal during the day.

Details of local bus diversions can be found here

 

  • 26 February – 11 March: Barnton junction resurfacing

 

The junction carriageway on the Queensferry Road at the junction with Whitehouse Road is to be completely resurfaced. These works should take around two weeks to do but could be completed earlier if there is good weather.

The works will start at 7pm each weekday evening with the noisier operations stopping at 11pm.  Quieter work will continue into the early hours of the morning. This will allow the works to be carried out during times of low traffic volumes and therefore reduces the risk of congestion and delay.

The junction will be open to traffic from 7am-7pm each day as normal.  However, when work is being carried out in the evening and at night, the junction will be closed to east bound traffic along Queensferry Road.

A diversion system will therefore operate along Whitehouse Road, Gamekeeper’s Road and Cramond Road South when the east bound part of Queensferry Road is closed.  Residents here should therefore expect a significant increase in city bound traffic during this time.  You can see a detailed map showing the diversion arrangement here.

Map showing the diversion during Barnton junction works

  • 12 – 25 March: Queensferry Road surfacing

The second part of the resurfacing works will take place on Queensferry Road near the Parkgrove shops.

These are due to start on 12 March and will take two weeks, subject to weather.  Just like the Barnton junction works, the resurfacing will take place each weekday evening from 7pm and with the noisier operations stopping at 11pm. Again, this will allow the works to be carried out during times of low traffic volumes and therefore reduces the risk of congestion and delay.

The junction will be open to traffic from 7am-7pm each day as normal.  However, when work is being carried out, the entrance to Barnton Park Drive from Queensferry Road will be closed off.  Access to and from the Barton Park estate will have to be via Barnton Grove and Whitehouse Road.

The flow of traffic along Queensferry Road will be controlled using temporary traffic lights and a contraflow.  You can see a detailed map showing some of these arrangements here.

Map showing works and contraflow arrangements on Queensferry Road

Whilst we are pleased to see that works are being timetabled to try and minimise disruption, the nature of the junction and the Queensferry Road means we still expect delays.  We would encourage all our constituents to plan ahead and allow more time for their journeys.

Kevin and Louise help force action on gritting

At this week’s meeting of the full Council, we were pleased to work with other Liberal Democrat and opposition councillors to ensure there is a proper review of the Council’s gritting operations.

The whole gritting and winter resilience plan has caused a huge amount of frustration amongst our constituents over the last two months. The colder weather created treacherous conditions in many parts of the city and the response from the Council was wholly inadequate.

However, Council officials admitted the online gritting map is completely out of date. Grit bins have been left empty, days even weeks after being reported. Requests for new grit bins appear to go into a big black hole and school bus routes were left ungritted, forcing pupils to miss school. That is why we thought it was so important for lessons to be learned and big changes made for next winter.

In the end, the Council voted unanimously for a motion to review the priority routes.  The motion also included our own amendment to improve the whole system of requesting new grit bins which is cumbersome, difficult and also ensure the online grit bin and prioriy route map, which so many people rely on, is kept properly up to date (currently, many grit bins and priority routes are missing from the map).

Here was the full text of the motion passed:

“Council

Acknowledges the good work carried out by Council staff in servicing Priority 1 routes during the recent snowy and icy weather, to keep the city moving and minimise accidents and injuries;

However, recognises that a significant number of roads and pavements outwith Priority 1 – across large swathes of Edinburgh – received no gritting treatment and that many suburban grit bins were empty or not refilled in a timely manner, creating hazard for many people such as the elderly, disabled and active travellers.

Calls for a report to the Transport and Environment Committee within three cycles reviewing the continued suitability and responsiveness of the current priority system, including, but not limited to, consideration of how the council can better service suburban and other ‘non priority’ areas; give due consideration to the divergent topography and thermal make-up of the city; make better use of technology like ‘routesmart’ to improve response times; and better advertise, service and encourage safe use of grit bins by local residents in their community.

  • Council further:
    • recognises the importance of providing residents with accurate information via the online
    winter road and pavement maintenance map and notes that officials have admitted the
    current map does not include all grit bin locations or show all current priority gritting
    routes.
    • acknowledges the current difficulties in obtaining information on the status of new grit bin
    requests and the decision making processes involved in the siting of new grit bins

Council therefore agrees that the report to Committee should also cover:
• how the updating of the online map will be made a priority for next winter.
• the potential to develop the online map in order to provide real time information on
planned and completed gritting of priority routes.
• the improvements that can be made to the processes for requesting new grit bins and the
information that is available on the status of new grit bin requests.

Demolition of Silverlea Care Home, Muirhouse Parkway


The demolition of the former Silverlea residential care home on land at Muirhouse Parkway is due to start on Monday 15th January and will last for approximately 14 weeks.

These works will include demolition of the main care home structure and garages/outbuildings and clearance of the site. The demolition will be carried out by Daltons Demolition, although sub-contractors may be used for some parts of the work. Site security will also be provided by a private security contractor for the duration of the works.

All works will be contained within the care home site and there will be no impact on Muirhouse Parkway itself.

As councillors, we have also pressed officials to make sure the work is carried out in a way which minimises the noise impact on those living nearby.

We have had it confirmed that the contractor’s standard working week will be Monday to Friday, however on occasion there may be works carried out on Saturdays (8am-3pm) if
required.

Fireworks – local team push for action

Earlier this month, we received many emails and telephone calls from constituents concerned about the misuse of fireworks over the Guy Fawkes weekend.

People told us they were petrified to leave their houses. Local newspapers described some communities we represent as being like “war zones”. One local police officer even had to be rushed to hospital after being injured from a thrown firework.

Of course, the vast majority of local residents buy, use and enjoy fireworks in a safe and responsible manner. But a small minority are causing damage, distress and misery for many.

That is why we brought a motion before today’s meeting of Edinburgh City Council calling for action. It was passed unanimously and means the Council Leader will now write to both the UK and Scottish Governments calling for a review and changes before next November.

Here is our full motion passed today;

FIREWORKS

Council;

1. recognises that the vast majority of Edinburgh residents enjoy fireworks responsibly as part of the annual Guy Fawkes night celebrations,

2. commends those working in Police Scotland, the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service and other agencies for their commitment, bravery and professionalism in seeking to protect our local communities from harm,

3. condemns the reported acts of violence which took place in some parts of Edinburgh around 5 November, including fireworks being thrown at emergency service staff, and expresses its sympathy and support to those who suffered injury,

4. acknowledges motion S5M-08695 which was recently tabled to the Scottish Parliament and which has received cross party support, calling on (i) the UK Government to review the rules governing the sale of fireworks, and (ii) the Scottish Government and its partner agencies to investigate and address the antisocial use of unlicensed fireworks,

5. agrees for the Leader of the Council to write to the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation & Skills to express the Council’s support for both reviews so new measures can be considered and, where possible, implemented before 5 November 2018.”

Muirhouse shopping centre – redevelopment update

Work is now underway on the redevelopment of Muirhouse Shopping Centre.

A new pedestrian walkway has been created through the existing centre to maintain access to the following premises which all remain OPEN FOR BUSINESS AS USUAL: –

  • D-Today
  • Post Office
  • Providence Foods Limited
  • EH4 Salon
  • Community Renewal
  • Muirhouse Library
  • North Edinburgh Arts

The first phase of demolition is underway. Over the next month the shopping centre roof will be removed and the side of the mall containing the former baba’s cave etc will be demolished.

Council officials are distributing a newsletter. Click here to read a copy.

Housing plans for former Silverlea care home site

One of several brown field sites which the Council is looking to transfer over to housebuilding is the are on and around the former Silverlea Care Home at Muirhouse Parkway.

The site is approximately 2.3 hectares and consists of the former Silverlea Care Home and grounds, Craigroyston Boys Club changing/clubroom facilities, mature trees, shrubland and open space, which contains remnants of former riding stables. Part of the site is within the Green Belt.

AHR Architects has been appointed by the Council to undertake a feasibility study for mixed tenure housing on the site. The estimated development capacity of the site is around 140 homes.

The scope of the study includes, but not limited to, archaeological, ecological, topographical, transport and utility surveys and assessments, intrusive site investigations and preparation of concept development plans, drainage and energy strategies.

In parallel with these studies, preparatory plans are well under way to demolish the former care home.  The ground floor doors and windows have been fitted with security panels and safety fencing erected around the building. It is expected the building will be demolished before the Spring 2018.

An initial meeting has been held with members of the Craigroyston Boys Club committee regarding the relocation of the club’s facilities which occupy part of the site. Consultations will continue with them throughout the redevelopment process.

During the next 8 months the following activities will be progressed:

  • Site surveys
  • Desk and site investigations
  • Demolition of the former care home
  • Preparation of concept development plans
  • Financial viability exercise
  • Community engagement & consultations
  • Preparation of feasibility report.

We will make sure to keep local people informed as this project moves forward.

Motorbike crime – Council approves Kevin’s motion unanimously

We’re delighted that Edinburgh City Council unanimously supported Kevin’s motion today in praise of the police’s work to tackle motorbike crime in north west Edinburgh.

The motion also called for a new report on what more the Council can do to support the police as well as invest in education and community activities.

The horrific events from last weekend involving a motorbike hit and run, which left a 10 year old boy in Drylaw in hospital, shows why more work is needed and needed now.

Here is Kevin’s motion which all political groups in the Council supported.

“Council recognises:
a) the ongoing problems of motorbike crime and other antisocial behaviour which blights many communities in the north and north west of Edinburgh,
b) that such disorder is caused by a small number of individuals who are not reflective of the wider community,
c) the commitment, professionalism and bravery of police officers who work hard to provide a visible police presence and have often been victim to violence or attempts at violence,
d) that the success in tackling these issues will depend, not just on effective policing but also on improved education and community support.
Council commends Police Scotland for its work as part of the Stronger North campaign which was re-launched in June.

Council welcomes the additional national policing resources which were deployed in local communities to bolster this campaign, and in so doing recognises the positive impact of a visible on the street police presence in areas affected by crime.
Council notes that over the course of the campaign, there were:
i) 71 arrests with 15 stolen motorcycles and 5 stolen cars recovered,
ii) 28 vehicles seized and impounded whilst drivers were charged with corresponding offences,
iii) 9 misuse of drugs warrant executions resulting in the recovery of £9000 of drugs.
Council welcomes the cross-party support which exists for the campaign and the collaboration between local councillors, MSPs and MPs with local police, council officials and community representatives.

Council commits to continuing to support this campaign by working with the police, voluntary organisations and the wider community, providing the necessary support and resources where required.
Council commits to further tackling these issues through education in schools and community based activities which can help reduce situations which lead to antisocial behaviour.
Council therefore calls for a report to be made to the Corporate Policy & Strategy Committee within two cycles on what further action the Council can take to address the underlying issues which lead to crime and antisocial behaviour as part of a longer-term strategy on these issues.