the promenade

[sample808]

i have posted a few comments in other threads on the subject of a community space on the promenade. i wonder if anyone agrees with me.

i had a bit of a go about the plans for the old paddling pool. it is the centre point of the prom and i think could be better used than sticking up a basketball court and a drinks stall, hardly something for everyone is it?

i feel that there is a real opportunity to promote portbello history, present and future as well as providing a space for the community, not to mention somewhere for visitors. perhaps not on this site although it would be ideal.

there are a lot of niggly little problems with a minority of inconsiderate people (cyclists; dog owners; litterers; mad kite flyers) who cause problems that no-one seems willing to deal with (see "cycling on the prom" thread for a perfect example). my answer is all these problems could be dealt with if there was more realisation from the community of what an asset the beach is to the community. more promotion of beach cleanliness and more input from the businesses on the prom to keep the area clean and safe for everyone. if the community where to police the prom itself, there would be no need for legislation - banning cyclist for example - as these problems would be addressed as they were happening.

i have loads more to say about this but i'll leave it now and see if any comments come back but i will say that anyone who is sceptical should look at other european cities that can boast such a beautiful stretch of beach - barcelona, cannes... (no i'm not joking) lets make the most of it.

[Guest]

I don't think anyone here would disagree that it would be great to have a visitor centre of some kind. If you check back through the previous threads this is a subject that has cropped up before. What we probably need is a multi-purpose centre that would include a visitor centre, a museum and perhaps it would also house a new community centre and maybe even a new library.

Sounds great, doesn't it? It just leaves the small question of where the millions of pounds it would cost are going to come from. But sure, let's ask for it, let's demand it. Write to your local councillor and post their replies here.

The Paddling Pool project, on the other hand, is much smaller in scope. Sensibly, it has been designed to be low-cost and low maintenance and it will greatly improve an area that has been long neglected. Even so, it has been costed at £300k and only a third of that has presently been secured - and it has taken a long time to get this far.

I have a lot of sympathy with your views on skateboarding - skaters are cool. I know that attempts have been made to find a suitable location for them on the Prom and that their needs are certainly being considered. Basketball has become incredibly popular as well in recent years and I assume that provison for this has been made because young people have asked for it.

Finally, if you or anyone else has ideas for how the Prom could be developed I'm sure that Richard Barclay at City Development (and a local resident to boot) would love to hear from you. Email him at richard.barclay@edinburgh.gov.uk

[Epykat]

[sample808]

good point, i'm sure most people would be ok with getting the pool back but, apparently there is some problem with the council's public liability insurance when it comes to paddling pools. i heard it was something to do with cholera (!) but who knows. anyway i don't think that any of the old council owned paddling pools are in operation, shame...

[Guest]

Funnily enough, the first thing that sprang to my mind was liability. It's the world we live in and the first consideration when designing play equipment. In fact someone I know still has a scar on her toe from something she stood on in the paddling pool 30 years ago! It's a wonderful idea but who would ensure that the water was clean and free of broken glass?

[Epykat]

Funny you should say that!! (About the scar I mean) I've got a scar in my right foot from falling on the cobbles which used to be round the old paddling pool when I was about 10. It went septic. However, my mother stuck a plaster on it - she didn't sue the Council!! Does this liability thing also extend to crazy golf, tennis and putting too then since the good old Council seem to have done away with all of those as well. Bring back the Parkie!

[Epykat]

Oh, and as an afterthought - none of us ever got cholera either!!

[Sandra]

sample 808

Why do you reckon dog owners are inconsiderate???? Explain please.

[Sandra]

sample 808

DON'T tar everyone with the same brush please.

[bellybabe]

[Cynthia]

[sample808]

sorry, i've been away for a while. I only said that there were a minority of dog owners - along with cyclists and mad kite-flyers - that caused a problem...i wouldn't dare tar everyone with the same brush. I think that most dog owners, etc are responsible

hope that this clears up the misunderstanding.