SNP and Green Members of the Scottish Parliament have voted through a massive £26 million cut to Edinburgh City Council’s budget.

It will mean a massive real terms reduction in the money available for vital local services. Liberal Democrat MSPs voted against the SNP/Green budget.

Local Lib Dem council candidate, Kevin Lang said, “With so much pressure on local schools.  With our roads and pavements in such a mess.  With funding for mental health simply not good enough, this was not the time for the SNP and Greens to vote through such a huge cut to the funding of our local services.

“This £26 million cut will place massive pressure on the Council.  SNP councillors in Edinburgh now need to decide where the axe will fall.

“Local people have a real chance to send a strong message at the Council elections in May.  They can tell this SNP Government that they want investment in our schools and mental health services.  If elected as the new local councillor, I will be a local champion and someone who will provide our area with a strong voice in the City Chambers.”

The biggest issue raised with me locally is the potential for thousands of new homes in Queensferry.  I know there is real concern over the lack of infrastructure available to support these new homes.

That is why I wanted to write and let you know that Taylor Wimpey has now lodged its planning application for another 339 new homes on the South Scotstoun fields near to the Ferrymuir roundabout.  The deadline for objecting is 31 January.

Taylor Wimpey’s plans include a mix of apartments as well as 2-5 bedroom homes. There are moderately sized green spaces and they have also retained the two road access points, one from the B800 and one from Provost Milne Grove.

The full planning application can be viewed online via the Council’s planning portal (using reference 16/06280/FUL)

This development comes on top of separate plans before the Council for another 800 homes at Echline just south of Builyeon Road.

Your local MSP, Alex Cole-Hamilton have been deeply concerned about a fundamental lack of support infrastructure. We are worried about the impact on the already overstretched GP practice as well as traffic at the Ferrymuir roundabout.  We also need improved public transport including a new direct bus link to the city centre and improvements to Dalmeny train station.  However, there are no firm commitments for such improvements.
As with all planning applications, it will have to be considered and voted on by the Council’s planning application.

Alex and I will be working on our own submission to the Council and are happy to help others who wish to raise concerns or objections.

Objections to this application have to be made by 31 January.  The Council has some useful guidance for making an objection.

You can make an objection using the online portal.

You can also email the case officer, Kenneth Bowes (Kenneth.bowes@edinburgh.gov.uk) or write to
Kenneth Bowes Case Officer, Planning Department, City of Edinburgh Council, Waverley Court, 4 East Market Street, EDINBURGH, EH8 8BG

In all objections, please make sure to quote the reference number 16/06280/FUL

With only a few days to go until Christmas, I wanted to provide some information on the issues which local people most frequently ask me about.  I hope the following is helpful.

Public transport

Bus services will be significantly changed over the Christmas and New Year period.  Here are links to the revised bus timetables;

• Lothian Buses
• Stagecoach
• FirstBus

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.

Health Services

Opening times for local GP surgeries are as follows:
Almond Group Practice, Winchburgh
Cramond Medical Practice
Davidson’s Mains Medical Group
Muirhouse Medical Group
Parkgrove Medical Group
Ratho Medical Group
South Queensferry Medical Practice 

Information on the Kirkliston Medical Centre was not available online.

HS24 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.

Christmas tree recycling

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.

For streets with shared recycling facilities, you can see the collection dates for Christmas trees here.

You can also take Christmas trees to any of the Community Recycling Centres. The sites will be closed 25, 26 December and 1, 2 January.

Bin collections

The Council has said there will be no changes to waste and recycling collections over the festive period. Collections will take place as normal on;

• Monday 26 December
• Tuesday 27 December
• Monday 2 January
• Tuesday 3 January.

You can see more information about rubbish collections here.

Parking

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.

Shops and postal services

There will be no Royal Mail deliveries 25-27 December or 1-2 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 local supermarkets are as follows;
Morrisons Gyle
Sainsbury’s Barnton
Sainsbury’s Craigleith
Tesco Davidson’s Mains
Tesco Queensferry Ferrymuir
Tesco Parkgrove
(Christmas opening times for Scotmids were not available online so check with your local shop)

Please also remember to support all the fantastic independent local shops over Christmas and New Year.

Leisure Centres

Christmas and New Year opening times for Edinburgh Leisure centres, including Kirkliston, Queensferry, Silverknowes, Drum Brae and Ainslie Park are available here.

Emergency services

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.

Donating Food

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 you a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

Kevin Lang

Back our campaign for action on the Kirkliston cross roads

Over the last few weeks, I’ve been out and about, knocking and doors and speaking with residents across Kirkliston.

One of the biggest issues raised in the traffic problem at the Kirkliston cross roads. It is clear that this is a problem which is getting worse and worse.  People are late for work, having problems getting their kids to school on time and missing important medical appointments because of delays at the village junction.

I believe we need the Council to take an urgent lead on this, bringing together transport officials, community groups and others so a proper action plan can be developed and agreed to improve the junction and prevent the build up of traffic.  This would likely involve improvements to the sequencing of the lights as well as other structural changes.

It is also important that we improve local bus services so more people feel able to leave their cars at home and use local buses.  Given the state of the current service and costs of tickets, that is simply not possible for many residents.

If you agree and want action on the Kirkliston cross roads then you can add your name in support here.

The Salvesen Steps by the River Almond were reopened in July after being closed over safety fears.

Local Lib Dem candidate Kevin Lang said, “The closure of the steps caused great concern. The good news is that not only have the steps been repaired but they’ve also been coated with anti slip paint to make them even safer.”