Council roads officials have agreed to major works on Kirkliston Main Street in April.
The works are to allow for the sewer connection to the new restaurant. This has been scheduled to take place 13-21 April during the second week of the Easter school holidays.
This will require two way temporary traffic lights on the road as well as the temporary relocation of the west bound and east bound bus stops.
Hopefully, this advance notice will give residents some time to plan ahead.
We are very frustrated to have to report a delay of one year to the project to upgrade and improve the High Street in Queensferry.
Work has been ongoing over the last year to develop detailed plans for the new High Street. It comes after two round of consultation where residents were able to feed in their ideas.
The final consultation is now due to take place in April. However, the significant changes planned for traffic control, parking and servicing of the shops mean new traffic regulation orders will be needed.
This means the construction tender is now expected to be issued in the autumn of this year with site works to start in early 2020. This represents a delay of about a year.
We have written to the Council’s local transport manager about the extremely poor communication around this delay. It is frustrating given all the hard work to engage residents on what should be an exciting project for the Ferry over the last year.
The Council vote on whether to extend the tram to Newhaven will take place next month. After much consideration, we have concluded that now is not the time to progress the extension.
There are five critical reasons why:
1. The fact Lord Hardie has yet to report his final recommendations following his independent inquiry into the first tram project. We promised that we would learn the lessons from the first project and we simply can’t do that at the moment. Council officials have admitted that Lord Hardie could make recommendations which we can’t then incorporate if we sign the contracts now.
2. The failure of the SNP/ Labour administration to show how the tram extension will be linked to wider public transport improvements , especially in our area of west Edinburgh. We pushed hard for a dedicated action plan to improve public transport in rural west Edinburgh and the SNP voted it down. If we are to spend £200m on a tram extension to Leith then we need to know how people in this area are going to benefit from improved public transport too.
3. Insufficient information to explain what impact the £20m special dividend from Lothian buses could have on bus routes, fares and other operations. We have no guarantee that the extra money being taken from Lothian won’t result in a ticket increase or cutbacks.
4. The substantial impact the project could have on the Council’s reserves at a time of wider economic uncertainty. It would eat into our reserves leaving us severely exposed if another unexpected event came along.
5. The impact of Brexit which could affect the assumptions on which the business case has been based.
This has not been an easy decision for us to take. However, we need to do what we think is right and given all of the problems above, we just don’t think we can, in good conscience, vote to approve such a major and expensive project.
A major new development of around 500 new homes, retail and offices is being proposed on the land to the west of Maybury Road and north of Craigs Road.
It is important to say this development would be over and above the plan for new housing at Cammo which is currently with the Council planning department for consideration.
The developers are currently undertaking the required consultation before they can submit a planning application. The consultation boards are available on the images below.
You can submit views by 17 December by emailing glasgow@iceniprojects.com
Because this development is proposed on land currently designated as greenbelt, a final decision would need to be taken by the full Council and not just the planning committee. This means both of us as Councillors would be able to vote.
As a result, we are not allowed to comment on these proposals ahead of the final Council debate and decision. Doing so could bar us from voting. We hope people will understand this.
However, as ward councillors, we are still allowed to ask for and listen to our constituents’ views before a decision is taken.
We would strongly encourage folks to submit their views. Please copy us into any submission you make (kevin.lang@edinburgh.gov.uk / louise.young@edinburgh.gov.uk)
The following information may be helpful for those who have paid the new tax to continue brown bin collections or who still want to pay the new charge. We also have an update on the collection of unwanted brown bins.
START OF NEW SERVICE
The new service starts from Monday 8 October.
• Permits and calendars will be posted to residents the week beginning 24 September.
• The last free collection of garden waste takes place on 5 October. Residents who have not signed up for the service should check their current calendars for their last collection before this date. For some residents their last garden waste collection may be as early as 17 September.
NEXT PERIOD FOR PAYING THE TAX
• The next registration window opens at 9am, 1 October and closes at 12pm, 16 October. The easiest way to sign up is via the Council website.
• Residents without access to the internet at home can use the self-serve kiosks at the Council locality offices, internet at libraries or register by phone.
• Customers who can’t register online can pay in cash or card at Locality offices. They can also call on 0131 608 1100 (option 1, then option 9).
• Residents who receive Council Tax Reduction (formerly called Council Tax Benefit) do not need to pay for the service, however they still need to register to receive it. Other exemptions such as single occupancy discount do not qualify for free garden waste collections.
• Once residents have registered it will take 6 – 8 weeks to be added to collection routes and send a garden waste permit before the Council can start emptying their bin.
• Another registration window will be available for residents to sign up from 4 – 19 February 2019.
COLLECTION OF UNWANTED BINS
• Residents who have not registered and no longer want their brown bin can take it to one of the Council recycling centres.
• An online form will also be available at the end of October for residents to arrange for their brown bin to be uplifted. Residents without internet access will be able to call on 0131 608 1100 (option 1, then option 9) to request the removal of their bin. The online form will also be available at the self-serve kiosks in locality offices.
• The window for residents to say they no longer want their bin will last until the end of November.
• Officials will take a planned approach to collecting the bins during December.
Over this Christmas and New Year period, we wanted to provide some information on the issues which local people most frequently ask us about during the festive season
We hope the following is helpful.
Current resourcing of gritting in Edinburgh means the Council’s gritting vehicles focus on priority roads such as bus routes and main roads. You can see a map showing the priority roads in Queensferry and Dalmeny here.
Grit bins are located in many locations for local spreading. You can see a map of the bins in your area using this link.
If you have a damaged or empty grit bin then you can report it here.
Bus services will be significantly changed over the Christmas and New Year period. Here are links to the revised bus timetables;
Scotrail service changes can be seen here.
Edinburgh taxi fares will be higher than normal 24-27 December and 31 December-2 January. Full details can be found here.
NHS24 will be working throughout Christmas and New Year. You can ring them by dialling 111.
Accident and emergency services will be available at St John’s and the Royal Infirmary. The Western General will operate reduced hours for its minor injuries clinic.
Here are details for any emergency dental care.
Edinburgh City Council runs a free collection and composting service for Christmas trees. If you have a brown bin then you can recycle your Christmas tree by placing it on the kerbside on your scheduled brown bin day by 6am.
Remember to cut your tree in half if it is 6ft tall or higher Also, don’t forget to remove all decorations and stands.
You can also take Christmas trees to any of the Community Recycling Centres. The sites will be closed 25, 26 December and 1, 2 and 3 January.
If your recycling or waste bins are usually collected on a Monday there will be some changes to your collection dates. You can see the changes here.
All other collections should operate as normal.
There will be free parking across the City of Edinburgh council area on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. Meters will not be operating on these days but will operate as usual on all other days.
More information is available here.
There will be no Royal Mail deliveries 24-26 December or 31 December-2 January. Deliveries should be as normal around these dates. More information from the Royal Mail is available here.
Check your local post office for opening times over the next couple of weeks. General information is available here.
Christmas and New Year opening times for major stores can be found as follows:
(Christmas opening times for Scotmid were not available online so please check in store)
Please also remember to support all the fantastic independent local shops over Christmas and New Year.
Christmas and New Year opening times for Edinburgh Leisure operated sites are available here.
An usual, you should phone 999 if you need emergency assistance over the festive period. If you need to contact the police about a non-emergency or have a general enquiry then dial 101.
Here is more information on how to stay safe over Christmas. I want to make a point of thanking all those people who I know will be checking on their older neighbours and friends in their community over the Christmas and New Year period.
Finally, it’s not too late to donate food to those who need it this Christmas. Foodbank collection points are easy to access and more information is available here.
I hope all this information is helpful.
Wishing all our constituents a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
With best wishes,
Cllr Kevin Lang and Cllr Louise Young
Earlier this month, we received an update from officials on the works for the Burnshot Bridge. This is provided below.
Monthly Inspections
These inspections are ongoing to closely monitor the condition of the bridge. Inspections will continue until the bridge is demolished.
Traffic Diversion
Installation of the new semi-permanent signage is planned to be completed in September 2017. Some local diversion signs will be installed in advance of this. Consideration is being given to the additional complexity associated with the opening of the Queensferry Crossing.
Demolition Works
Following completion of the Contractor’s Feasibility report and input from Council Engineers and our advisors, a decision has been taken to fully demolish the bridge with a view to constructing a brand new structure, for which the programme is yet to be confirmed. A Project Order has been signed by the Council giving its commitment for the demolition, and also for the design of a new structure and some preliminary investigative and survey works. Capital budget to the value of £1.1m has been assigned for these pre-construction works, Council staff costs and contingency. This does not include for construction of a new structure and the costs for this will be determined towards the end of 2017. All costs are market tested where appropriate, to ensure value for money for the Council.
The Contractor has been assisting the Council with various aspects of planning the upcoming Works. To date, this help has been free of charge, but now that the Project Order has been signed, the Contractor will be paid for subsequent professional services and physical construction work.#
Public Utilities (PUs)
A temporary service bridge will be installed alongside the existing structure, with Works for this commencing in late-September 2017. Temporary foundations and vertical supports will support a latticed steel structure. This bridge will be used to suspend service ducts and cables in advance of the demolition of the bridge, currently planned for late-October. No pedestrian access will be permitted on this structure, and the diversion route through the underpass will remain. This solution is much more cost effective and less disruptive than a permanent diversion of the services away from the bridge.
The Council and Contractor have met with one utility provider on site to agree the methodology for suspension, and discussions with the other providers are now well advanced.
There is a Scottish Power cable crossing the bridge which requires diversion onto the temporary service bridge. Some small trenches will be dug adjacent to the bridge in advance of this diversion.
Local residents should not experience any major disruption in advance of the demolition. Further consultation with residents will be undertaken in September once the arrangements for the demolition have been confirmed.
New footpath / cycleway
A new permanent footpath/cycleway is currently being designed which will replace the temporary contra-flow and traffic barriers currently in place on the Northbound slip lane. This new path will provide a continuous link between Burnshot Road and the A90 into Edinburgh, without having to cross Burnshot Bridge, so will also be of benefit to pedestrians and cyclists following the construction of a new bridge.
One important issue for parents in Kirkliston is the uncertainty over the secondary school which children will go to in the future.
With the growing population in Queensferry and Kirkliston, the High School won’t be able to accommodate the increasing school role at Kirkliston Primary. It is expected that this year’s new P1s will be the first year to attend a different school.
There are two options on the table at the moment:
Parents have raised concerns with us about transport to school and older siblings already at QHS. As the Education Spokesperson for the Liberal Democrat Council Group, and as a member of the Education Committee, Cllr Louise Young is ensuring that parents concerns are at the forefront of Council officers and the Education Convenor.
At the first Education Committee of the new Council, Cllr Young secured the commitment to consult on these concerns and also to provide an update at the October meeting of the committee.
We’re pleased to report that the bus stop and shelter on Cramond Road North next to Cramond Place is to be moved.
The current bus stop for the 41 bus was recently closed. This was to help facilitate the building of the new care home, due to open later this year.
A temporary stop has been set up just down the road and next to Cramond Green. However there is no shelter or seating as the case at the usual stop.
After we made contact with transport officials, it was agreed that arrangements would be made for the bus stop to be permanently moved to this new location which is more suitable given the lay by at Cramond Green.
A new bus stop marking is to be painted on the lay by and they will then move the shelter.
The City of Edinburgh Council has lodged the formal planning application to construct the new artificial grass rugby and football field, just to the south of the Sports Hub on Ashburnham Road in Queensferry.
The new pitches would be built on the site of two smaller natural grass pitches and will also include a sports fence that will surround the pitch and restrict access.
It is expected the pitch will be used primarily by the school and the community and will upgrade of the existing natural pitches which can be in poor condition for extended periods of time.
The proposals primarily come from the planned re-development of Queensferry High School, which is scheduled to be completed by 2020. With the school to be relocated onto the existing playing fields, an alternative site is required until the school building is completed.
The new facility would be used as ‘rugby and football’ pitch. It would be surfaced with the latest 3G artificial grass with a sand and rubber infill and would be ‘let’ outwith school hours through the South Queensferry Community Hub.
You can see more about the application via the Council’s planning portal.
Any comments on the application must be lodged with the Council planning department by Friday 11 August 2017.
This can be done by email to planning@edinburgh.gov.uk or by writing to Planning Department, City of Edinburgh Council, Waverley Court, 4 East Market Street, Edinburgh, EH8 8BG.
Remember to quote the reference number 17/03110/FUL.