Coffee shop plans approved for Davidson’s Mains RBS site

Council planning officials have approved plans to change the use of the old Royal Bank of Scotland branch in Davidson’s Mains to a coffee shop and first floor 2 bedroom apartment. The site has remained empty since the RBS branch was closed last summer.

A number of conditions were attached to the approval made just before Christmas, including one that cooking, heating, and reheating operations on the premises must be restricted to the use of a panini machine, microwave and soup tureen.  No other forms of cooking or heating will be allowed.  This was in response to some concerns raised over odours from commercial extraction.  Planners were satisfied the new café would not impact on noise in the area.

The shop must also provide two new cycle parking stands (for 4 spaces) for use by staff and customers. There are no operating time restrictions on the new shop.

Kirkliston cross roads update

Back in June, the first question we asked the new Transport Convenor, as new Councillors, was about the traffic congestion in Kirkliston. After years of inaction from the SNP, we secured a commitment to conduct a full traffic study in the village.

Having agreed to wait until the new bridge was open and fully functional, the time is now
right to carry this out.

Louise met with the local Transport Manager and Roads Engineer just before Christmas to discuss the scope of the study.  She stressed the importance of not just having a review of what the problems are, but also the need to have proposed solutions.

The study will take into account all the surrounding routes coming into the village and explore the pattern of journeys. Louise has also asked that the impact of the new school catchment options are taken into account.

Due to the scale of the project, an independent contractor will be appointed, and this is expected to be done early this year. It is hoped that the study can be done before the Easter break, but most importantly that it is done during school term time.

We will keep you updated on the progress of this study.

New Kirkliston residents to no longer access Queensferry Medical Centre

NHS Lothian is consulting on changes to the catchment boundary for the GP Medical Practice in Queensferry.  This would remove Kirkliston entirely from the catchment area.

Queensferry Medical Practice would continue to care for patients currently registered and living outwith the proposed new catchment boundary.  However, new residents would not be able to register and would have to register at another practice.

The request from the Queensferry Medical Practice is in response to the rising population in Queensferry, particularly from all the new house buiding and the expected further growth in future years. The practice believes that by changing the boundary now, they can better manage their GP and other services.

However, we are deeply concerned about the pressure this could place on the Kirkliston Medical Practice where there can already be long waits to get an appointment. This goes to the very heart of why we have opposed a number of proposed housing developments.  We believe areas like Queensferry and Kirkliston need new and improved serviced and infrastructure before any new major developments can be approved.

We will be seeking assurances from NHS Lothian about the capacity of Kirkliston Medical Centre and how improvements can be made in light of any changes in Queensferry.

Consultation planned on D’Mains roundabout

In response to our questions, the Council Convener of Transport has confirmed that a consultation will take place in the first half of this year on possible changes to the Davidson’s Mains roundabout. This follows the tragic accident last May where a pedestrian was hit and sadly died.

The convener confirmed that an initial report, providing basic details of the fatal collision, was received from Police Scotland by e-mail that evening. The Police investigation into the collision has been concluded and a report has been submitted to the Procurator Fiscal’s Office.

The Road Safety team undertakes an annual collision investigation into all streets within the City of Edinburgh Council area, using collision details supplied by the Police. From this analysis, it is possible to determine locations where the collision rate is giving cause for concern and where remedial measures may be required. This location was not identified as a site for concern in the investigation that was undertaken in early 2017.

However, following the fatal collision on 14 May, the location was added to the list of Accident Investigation and Prevention sites for further investigation and the potential implementation of remedial measures.

It is intended to consult with the local community and other stakeholders over possible improvements to the roundabout in spring of 2018.

Time to reconsider A90 slip road closure

Kevin Lang recently joined Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP to meet with Transport Scotland and discuss the problems of local traffic in Queensferry and Dalmeny following the opening of the Queensferry Crossing.  Top of the list was a call for a new study into opening the old Echline A90 slip road to help ease traffic flow.

The opening of the new Queensferry Crossing last autumn completely changed the traffic flow in the town. Many more vehicles are now entering and exiting the Ferry via Dalmeny Station on narrow roads which were never designed for high volume traffic. Increased traffic is being seen on Bo’ness Road near to Echline Primary.

Queensferry Junction (new Roundabout at Echline): We made the point that as there is no traffic signalling on the A904 approach to the new roundabout, or any box junction, that traffic is backing up on the A904 towards Newton. Transport Scotland agreed to monitor this and consider introducing box junctions on the roundabout.

Slip lanes on approach to the crossing: Transport Scotland has conceded that cars merging from the slips on approach to the crossing are reducing ambient speeds and leading to tailbacks at peak times. From January, the slips will be controlled by traffic lights which will detect gaps in the main traffic flow and will ‘pulse’ traffic through the slips to optimise traffic spacing.

Pressure through Dalmeny Station: The closure of the old Echline Roundabout is seeing cars leaving the east of the ferry routing through Dalmeny Station, putting a volume of traffic on these roads that they were never designed to sustain. Transport Scotland has agreed to monitor this. We will be pressing for a feasibility study to see the old A90 slip road reopened to allow cars to exit via the old Echline roundabout from the Scotstoun area so they can reach Barnton.

Speeding on the Bo’ness road: Although Transport Scotland are not responsible for traffic flow on suburban roads, we pointed out that the establishment of the Crossing has seen a huge build up in traffic down Bo’ness road to excessive speeds. This remains a key campaigning priority for us and will continue to press this with the Council.

Huge response to Dalmeny Park traffic survey

In December, we carried out a survey of houses in the Dalmeny Park housing estate .  This was in response to concerns raised by many residents about the the traffic problems being seen.

Part of this was provoked by the recent closure of Hewlett Way which changed the flow of vehicles through the new development. However, the opening of the road at Sandercombe Drive/Bourdock Road (so you can get all the way to Dalmeny Station) has clearly made the local area more attractive for through traffic to and from Scotstoun Avenue.

To our mind, the root cause of these issues is the new Queensferry Crossing and the closure of the A90 slip road from the old Forth Road Bridge roundabout. This has resulted in many more cars entering and exiting Queensferry to the east via Dalmeny Station.

The key question is what can be done to try and address the problem. That is why we are keen to hear what local people thought.

We received well over 100 responses which we are now collating and analysing.  We will be publishing the results along with our follow up actions in the next few weeks.

Scottish Power plan major works in Queensferry

Scottish Power Energy Networks has announced plans to carry out significant network works which will affect Queensferry in the first part of the year.

The £1.2 million project will involve rebuilding the 11,000 volt main overhead line from Queensferry to Newton, Abercorn and Blackness.  A further £400,000 will be spent to refurbish local spurs from this line.

Once complete, the new line should reduce the likelihood of power cuts and improve resilience during stormy periods.

The work is expected to start in February and will be completed by July 2018.  Scottish Power has advised that it may be necessary to interrupt the electricity supply to some properties.  They have promised to notify customers directly were this is necessary.

They have also said activity will be restricted to between 9.00am and 5.00pm in order to limit the impact.

On Saturday 6 January 2018, representatives of Scottish Power will be at the Scot-mid car park from 9am until 2pm to answer questions about the works to be carried out.

Scottish Power has promised to keep us informed of when specific works will affect particular areas and we will make sure to pass this information.

Meantime, they have provided us with a detailed newsletter which we have provided below.

South Queensferry to Newton Blackness OHL Rebuild flyer V2

Christmas and New Year – important information and updates

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.

Gritting and grit bins

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.

Public transport

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.

Health Services

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.

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.

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.

Bin collections

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.

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 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.

Leisure Centres

Christmas and New Year opening times for Edinburgh Leisure operated sites 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 all our constituents a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

With best wishes,

Cllr Kevin Lang and Cllr Louise Young

Time to look seriously at a Kirkliston High School

Earlier today, councillors on the Education Committee (which Louise is a member of) were asked to agree that Kirkliston Primary should be a feeder to the new West Edinburgh High at Ratho Station as and when Queensferry High reaches capacity.

This follows the consultation with parents over recent weeks on options between either a new school at Ratho Station or a shared school with Winchburgh. The consultation showed there was no clear preference between these options.

What was clear from parents was a desire to have a a proper study on the option of having a high school right here in the village if capacity is reached at Queensferry High. 

Looking at the report before committee today, both of us agreed more detailed work had to be done on this option of a Kirkliston High School BEFORE councillors could make a decision.

This is why Louise tabled an amendment at committee to have this option properly assessed through a feasibility study. We were delighted that, after making these arguments, all other parties supported our Lib Dem amendment and that this work will now be undertaken.

Equally, we know parents are keen for certainty on future secondary school provision. This is why we will be pushing to have this work completed as quickly as possible with the results published in full.

Major roadworks planned for Bo’ness Road, 4-8 December

We have been alerted to major roadworks to facilitate the instalation of new water mains around Bo’ness Road.

It means there will be parking and loading restrictions from 6am on Monday 4 December until 11.59pm on Friday 8 December on the following stretches of road:

  • Bo’ness Road, From the junction of Walker Drive to junction of Hopetoun Road
  • Hopetoun Road , From the junction of Farquar Terrace to the junction Morison Gardens
  • Stewart Terrace, from the junction of Hopetoun Road both sides for a distance of 100m

There will also be four way temporary traffic lights operating.

You can view a more detailed version of the map above by using the following link.

HOPETOUN ROAD SOUTH QUEENSFERRY water mains works