Shore Road – proposals for new yellow lines

No sooner did we get the illegal yellow lines removed on Shore Road along from the library and now Council officials have published a traffic regulation order (TRO) to paint them again, this time legally, along the south side of the road along to Port Edgar.

People have until 10 November to lodge objections. This must be writing, with reference TRO/17/59 to Traffic Orders, Place, City Chambers, High St, Edinburgh, EH1 1YJ.

You can also email responses (again using ref TRO/17/59) to trafficorders@edinburgh.gov.uk

Al details here

http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/…/tro1759-_introduce_24_hour_wa…

Queensferry Primary expansion plans

Council officials have now submitted new proposals to expand Queensferry Primary School.

The planning application would involve build four new classrooms on part of the playground to the east of the current building. This would increase the pupil capacity of the school to 504. Each classroom would also have an outdoor learning area.

If the application is approved then work is expected to start at the end of May. This should ensure the new classrooms can be built in time for the start of the 2019/20 school year.

You can see the full planning application here.

Comments must be submitted by 24 November.

Important update on Foxhall housing plans – new petition launched

  • Click here to sign our petition against the Foxhall planning application.
  • Click here to get a standard letter/email which you can use to lodge a formal objection.

Earlier today, we received an important update from Council officials on the planning application to build up to 100 homes at Foxhall, just to the east of Kirkliston.

The officials have now confirmed the application will NOT go to the full Council as previously suggested. It will be taken to the planning committee for a decision.

Taking the application to the full Council meant we were not able to comment on it.  If we did speak out then we would not have been able to vote on the matter when it came to Council.  However, the decision to take the matter to the planning committee means we are now free to say what we think.

That is why we want to make our position clear.  We are completely opposed to this development and will be lodging our own objection.

Now only does the plan go against the Council’s stated planning policy, it risks adding further traffic and congestion to the Kirkliston cross roads.  This is why the application must be opposed.

It is crucial that as many people as possible lodge objections before the deadline of 10 November.

We have worked to make it as easy as possible to lodge an objection.  We have created a standard email/letter which people can use.  You can find this here.

We have also set up a petition for people to add their names in opposition to the plans.  You can add your name here.

Please take the 5 minutes it needs to lodge an objection and sign our petition.  It is vital that local voices are heard.

Kevin and Louise table Council motion in push for action on Dalmeny Station

One of our key promises at the Council elections was to get action on the problems around Dalmeny Station.

The station is a critical part of our local public transport system.  Passenger numbers having increased significantly over the last 10 years.

However, we know there are many problems being faced by those living close to Dalmeny Station because of the current levels of car parking, with significant commuter parking on nearby roads and in spaces created for residents in new developments.

Worse still, there appears no clear plan from the Council to begin to address these issues. That is why we are tabling a motion at the next full meeting of Council on Thursday 26 October.

If approved, it would require Council officials to engage with Scotrail and Transport Scotland and develop an action plan for addressing the issues around the station.

We hope councillors in other parties will back our motion and ensure we get action for those who use and live around Dalmeny Station.

Here is the full text of our motion.

Dalmeny Station

Council notes;
1. the importance of Dalmeny Station as part of the City’s public transport system, with over 100 train services between Fife and Edinburgh city centre each day,
2. how the station provides an important alternative to private car journeys into the city, particularly for those residents who work in the centre of Edinburgh,
3. the growth in the populations of Dalmeny, Queensferry and Kirkliston following major programmes of house building which has led to a substantial increase in the numbers using Dalmeny Station, from 361,000 in 2005/6 to 500,000 in 2015/16,
4. the Local Development Plan which designates significant land in rural west Edinburgh for new housing and which is likely to lead to a further increase the number of passengers using the station.

Council recognises;
(A) the problems being faced by those living close to Dalmeny Station because of the current levels of car parking, with significant commuter parking on nearby roads and in spaces created for residents in new developments,
(B) the difficulty created by the limited parking arrangements, which risks creating a disincentive towards using the station, forcing more commuters to choose to use their car to travel into Edinburgh via the busy and congested Barnton junction and Queensferry Road.

Council welcomes the recent improvements at the station, such as an increase in bike storage facilities, but believes this is insufficient in addressing the wider access issues around the station and that further significant action is needed.

Council therefore instructs officials to engage with Scotrail and Transport Scotland and seeks a report to the Transport & Environment Committee within three* cycles. This report should set out an action plan for addressing these issues, including proposals to further maximise sustainable transport options to and from the station along with improved parking arrangements which benefit passengers and local residents.

*Post Council update – in order to maintain support from other parties, this was amended from two cycles to three cycles.

New plans for old Davidson’s Mains RBS

New plans have been submitted to change the use of the old Royal Bank of Scotland branch in Davidson’s Mains to a coffee shop and first floor apartment.

The site has remained empty since the RBS branch was closed over the summer. The Council must give its approval before the use of the site can be changed from a bank.

Comments on the application can be made via the Council’s planning portal. Any and all comments must be submitted by Monday 20 November.

https://citydev-portal.edinburgh.gov.uk/…/applicationDetail…

Plans for major extension to the Newbridge Inn.

The Newbridge Inn has submitted a planning application to significantly expand its premises.

This would involve the erection of a new accommodation block, extensions to the existing building including and roof alterations. The adjacent cottage on Bridge Street would also be demolished to increase overnight accommodation at the Newbridge Inn to 41 rooms.  There would be increased car parking on Old Liston Rd.

Residents can view the full plans via the Council planning portal.  Any comments must be submitted by 27 October 2017.  The matter will then go the Council planning committee for a decision.

Click here to see the full plans.

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.

Major road works for Newhalls Road, Queensferry

Council officials have published a new traffic regulation order to facilitate major Scottish Water works on Newhalls Road in Queensferry.

These road works will run from 2 November until 14 December.

This will result in the new parking and waiting restrictions on Newhalls Road from the west entrance to the main car park for a further 160 metres west.

Click below for a detailed map of the image above.

3953-Mackenzie Const-Newhalls Road

 

Burnshot bridge update – October

We have received the following update from officials on the Burnshot Bridge.

Progress Update No 5
4 October 2017

Introduction
This note provides an update to Progress Update No 4 (attached for ease of reference).

Monthly Inspections
These inspections are ongoing to closely monitor the condition of the bridge soffit. Inspections will continue until the bridge is demolished.

Traffic Diversion
Installation of the new semi-permanent signage is currently taking place on site and this will continue over the coming weeks.

Demolition Works
Plans for the demolition are now well underway. Following market testing to ensure value for money for the Council, the Contractor has now made preliminary arrangements with Subcontractors for traffic management, site clearance, temporary service bridge installation, and the actual demolition Works. Whilst still subject to contract, preliminary work is expected to commence in late-October, with the demolition of the bridge in November.
Public Utilities (PUs)

The Council and the Contractor have now met with all utilities companies on site and agreed the methodology for suspension or diversion of the affected services; these include Virgin Media and Vodafone ducts, and a Scottish Power cable. These Works have all been planned so that there should be no disruption to customers’ services.
Vegetation Clearance

As reported in the interim update via email on 30th August, in preparation for the demolition works, it will be necessary to complete some vegetation clearance either side of the bridge to facilitate:
a) Installation of the service bridge, and
b) Access for demolition equipment

No disruption to residents or road users is anticipated.

Community Liaison
Plans have been made to hold an open event for residents in close vicinity of the bridge who may wish to find out more about the demolition. The date for this is to be confirmed; affected residents will be notified by a letter drop in the coming weeks.

Queensferry Primary – expansion plans

Council education officials plan to submit a planning application for four new classrooms at Queensferry Primary. If approved, they would be built in time for the start of the 2019/2020 school year.

The application for the new classrooms is expected to be submitted within the next few weeks. Ahead of this, officials have organised an information event to allow parents and local residents to look at the plans. The design team will be avail…able to answer any of your queries.

The event will be held on Wednesday 11 October in the Queensferry Primary School hall. You can ‘drop-in’ at any time between 6.00pm and 7.30pm.