Cramond Campus Update

We were pleased to meet with Michael Ramsay, chair of the Friends of the Cramond Campus.

10 years on the from the development on the old Moray House site, it’s frustrating that the promised sports facilities, health clinic and shops have still not been provided. The community was promised these improvements which were part of the basis of the original planning consent for the new housing.

The Friends group has been doing great work – creating some exciting suggestions for how the southern fields could be used for the benefit of the wider community, including our local schools. As new councillors for Cramond, they have our full support.

We will raise this with the new convener of planning (once they are appointed). We intend to make it clear that the developer must deliver what was promised to the people of Cramond.

Dalmeny update

There have been a fair few updates for the village of Dalmeny recently.  Here’s all the latest news.

PROPOSED HOUSING DEVELOPMENT

As you may be aware, Westpoint Homes has submitted a planning application to build 15 new houses on the field behind Wester Dalmeny Cottages.

The biggest concern is the proposed access road into the development from Bankhead Road.  We do not think this is appropriate, particularly given the close proximity to the hill and the poor visibility which exists.  This could make it dangerous for cars and other vehicles when they are entering or exiting the development.  The proposed housing designs are also not in keeping with the conservation nature of the village.

The community council and a number of residents raised objections to the proposals during the consultation period earlier in the year.

The planning application is due to the considered by the new planning committee later this month.  As councillors, we have already submitted a formal request for a formal hearing on the application.  This would allow us, the community council and others to present our concerns to the committee before members make a final decision on whether to approve or reject the application.

We will keep you posted on this.  In the meantime, we want to thank and congratulate all those residents in Dalmeny who have been campaigning hard on this issue and have been so effective in highlighting local concerns.

SCOTTISH WATER ROAD WORKS

Scottish Water recently carried out works which involved resurfacing on Carlowrie Avenue and Crescent.  Unfortunately, the company made a mistake and laid the wrong type of tarmac on the small stretch of road between Standingstane Road and Carlowrie Crescent.

Scottish Water initially planned to correct the problem and carry out replacement works last week.  However, after we contacted Council officials, it was agreed the work would be delayed until the school summer holidays.  This should help to reduce the disruption which will be caused.

THE GLEBE PARK

Council officials have now agreed to remove the tarmac paths in the park at The Glebe. These were put down last year without consultation and against the wishes of local people.  The more recent consultation with residents showed massive support for returning the park to its original condition.

We are very frustrated that money was wasted on this especially when there is so much needing done both here in Dalmeny and in other parts of West Edinburgh.  We have made it clear to the Council that processes need to be improved stop this kind of money wasting exercise from being repeated.

Davidson’s Mains roundabout

As new councillors, we’ve asked to be kept informed from the Council’s Road Safety Team following the tragic incident at the Davidson’s Mains roundabout three weeks ago. We received a written update this week.

The local police is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and is keeping the Council updated.

A site visit will be held involving the police and Council officials. They will also look at previous incidents and collisions to help identify fundamental issues with the safety at this roundabout and the crossings.

The matter was discussed at length at the recent AGM of the Davidson’s Mains & Silverknowes Association. At the meeting, Council officials said the whole area had already been ‘on their radar’.

It is important to get the incident investigated and to get full report from the police. As councillors, we believe action is required to make this whole area safer for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists. This is particularly critical given the increasing volume of traffic going trough the village and the close proximity to local schools.

This is one of our top priorities for Davidson’s Mains and we will keep residents informed.

Edinburgh Tower Blocks

Following the tragic incident at Grenfell House in London yesterday, Edinburg Council has rightly been reviewing the conditions for tower blocks here in the city, including those in our ward.

Based on their understanding of the materials reportedly used in Grenfell House, Council officials tell us they are satisfied that the same types have not been used in over-cladding blocks in Edinburgh. Officials are keeping this under review as information is upda…ted.

We know that officials have made an effort to be visible around local tower blocks and to reassure residents regarding the approach being taken to fire safety in their buildings.

Officials are also commissioning a full review of fire safety in tower blocks. This will include evaluation of all cladding materials and methods, but will further include fire safety procedures, fire prevention and fire suppression.

If you have any concerns then don’t hesitate to get in touch with either of us.

In the meantime, all our thoughts, sympathies and prayers go to those who were caught up in such a terrible tragedy in London.

Kirkliston broadband update

Virgin Media has announced that it will be rolling out its ultra fast broadband to Kirkliston. There will be a community drop in event at the bowling club on Monday evening.

We’ve already asked some questions of Virgin Media (VM) and managed to get some more info which we wanted to share.

– When work will start?
The work is due to start on 5th June in the Gateside and the Liston Road / Allan Park areas. These communities will be constructed while VM is awaiting access to the main arterial routes (Path Brae / High Street / Main Street / Station Road / Queensferry Road). VM aim is to complete all main routes in the six weeks of the school holidays.

– How long the works would take?
VM hope to have the main traffic routes complete by the 2nd week in August at the absolute latest , However VM expects to be working in the housing areas until around November and possibly into December.

– What kind of disruption could be expected?
Main disruption will be on the main routes during the school holidays with parking suspensions and temp traffic lights. VM say they will work along with Scottish Water to carry out the works on the Main Street at the same time as their sewerage pipe to try and minimise disruption. In terms of other residential streets, VM aim would be to spend no longer than 1 week possibly 2 weeks for larger streets. Walkboards will be provided to allow ingress and egress to and from properties for residents.

– When you would expect that customers would be able to start receiving the new service?
Once VM has provided the main routes and constructed the V HUB, some areas may be able to gain the new broadband service from late September but this is always subject to change.

Kirkliston cross roads update


In the recent council election, we promised that one of our top priorities would be tackling the congestion at the Kirkliston cross-roads.

We have already discussed this with city council transport officials. We have started our push for a proper transport study that develops options for the cross roads that improves the flow of traffic.

Edinburgh City Council still doesn’t have an administration and a new convener of transport is still to be appointed. However, we intend to meet with them as soon as they are appointed to make sure this is a priority. We also want to use our petition (which includes 1,000 names) to show the strength of feeling in the village.

We will keep local people in Kirkliston informed as our campaign moves forward.

If you want to be kept informed by email then please sign up here.
https://kevinlang.mycouncillor.org.uk/emails/

Best wishes,

Cllr Louise Young and Cllr Kevin Lang

Kirkliston cross roads update

In the recent council election, we promised that one of our top priorities would be tackling the congestion at the Kirkliston cross-roads.

We have already discussed this with city council transport officials. We have started our push for a proper transport study that develops options for the cross roads that improves the flow of traffic.

Edinburgh City Council still doesn’t have an administration and a new convener of transport is still to be appointed. However, we intend to meet with them as soon as they are appointed to make sure this is a priority. We also want to use our petition (which includes 1,000 names) to show the strength of feeling in the village.

We will keep local people in Kirkliston informed as our campaign moves forward.

If you want to be kept informed by email then please sign up here.
https://kevinlang.mycouncillor.org.uk/emails/

Queensferry High School update

The Council has started a 12 week consultation on the replacement Queensferry High School.

This is a pre-planning consultation so that initial designs can be shared with the community as well as information on the impact on surrounding areas.

The plan is to have two ‘drop-in’ events, both running 4-8pm at the high school on 13 and 22 June. There will likely to be another presentation on 26 June, so plenty of opportunity for folk to see what is being considered and feed in thoughts, ideas and concerns.

You can find out more here.

New councillors receive Newbridge parking petition

It was great to receive the petition from Newbridge residents, calling for action on the village parking problems.

We met with Council officials earlier this week to press for a proper review of options and for a full consultation so all residents can have their say.

The petition really helps to show the strength of feeling and well done to Pauline McIntosh for collecting so many names.

This continues to be our top priority in Newbridge.

Good news as Lothian announce new service to Queensferry

Lothian Buses has now published details of the new service which will start in Queensferry and Dalmeny next month.

There is some great news here;
– Lothian Bus passes (Ridacard) can be used on the new service. It means regular bus users in Queensferry will pay the same for a bus pass as the rest of Edinburgh.…
– This will be a ‘double decker’ service helping to address the problems we had with Stagecoach where people often failed to get on the bus at peak periods, particularly at the West End of Edinburgh.
– The cost of single tickets will be cheaper than Stagecoach.
– The services will run from early in the morning to late at night.

You can see all the information at www.lothiancountry.co.uk

Working with Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP, we fought hard to get Lothian to start a new service. We were only able to do that because of the huge support we received, with thousands signing our petition and over 50% of people in Queensferry and Dalmeny backing us in the recent council elections.

THANK YOU!

Cllr Kevin Lang and Cllr Louise Young