Christian Path

[Ian Maxwell]

For those who don't know it, Christian Path leads from Windsor Place to Brighton Place, and is a short cut avoiding the High Street, especially useful for High School pupils tying to get to school on time.

There was a path cleanup last Autumn by SPOKES volunteers and pupils, and I have asked Lawrence Marshall to help with trying to get Local Development Committee money to pay for surfacing material (whindust and base) which could be laid by volunteers.

Any offers of help or suggestions would be welcome.

Ian Maxwell

[Guest]

Congratulations to Spokes and Sustrans on this, as well as to the Porty Path Patrollers and everyone else who has been involved in the long battle to reclaim this historic path from wilderness and years of neglect. I really feel that the the City of Edinburgh should now do their bit by stumping up for a proper tarmac surface. The path is both a ‘safe route to school’ for large numbers of Portobello High pupils as well as a useful cycle route, linking with the access to the Innocent Railway, and its importance deserves to be officially recognised.

[Guest]

I have recently had some correspondence with Ian Maxwell on this topic, which I paste below:

Just took a walk along the Christian Path. I'm sure that a good deal of work was done last autumn but it still looked as bad as ever. Part of the problem is that most of it is in permanent shade and never gets the chance to dry out, and so is wet and muddy all year round. Could the overhanging branches on either side be cut back (by volunteers if necessary) in order to let the sunshine in? How are the re-surfacing plans coming along? Could a group of local people be formed to help progress this? Would be grateful for an update on this and perhaps we could do a feature on the website?

Bob

Application for funds to lay whindust surface on the path with the council, expect word early June and am hopeful. The work laying the path can be done by volunteers, either local residents or young people (or both), and I have been talking with Portobello High about pupils taking it on as a project this autumn. Hope that taking part will give sense of achievement and ownership. Tarmac could be laid on top of this at a future date. Take your point about vegetation, and will also be pestering Council about the lights that do not work. Will advise as soon as I have a date.

Ian

[Ian Maxwell]

Following my previous message, I'm happy to report that a surface layer was laid on the Christian Path this weekend. A last minute cancellation for the Dirty Weekenders (Edinburgh University conservation volunteesr) and a quick phone round of SPOKES volunteers meant that we had people available to lay 17 tonnes of crushed stone on the path and build up some of the boggy bits.

Next step is to spread whindust on the stone to fill in the surface and to roll it. We hope to finish this part of the job soon.

I hope that the new surface will withstand heavy rain - if not we may have to do some patching.

Apologies to this who volunteered and didn't get called on - we weren't sure whether the job was going ahead until mid week.

Ian Maxwell

[Guest]

I took a walk along the path on Sunday and I have to say I was HUGELY impressed with the work that has been done. What a difference! Congratulations to everyone concerned and thank you very much for your efforts. Recently, the path had become so boggy and overgrown it was virtually impassable. Already there is evidence that people are starting to use it again.

Unfortunately this does also mean that there has been some litter and dog fouling. I spoke to Robert Davidson, our Task Force Manager, with regard to this at last night's CC meeting and he has agreed to add this to his maintenance schedule so please remind him of this if it starts to fall below standard again.

I think that once the work is complete you should organise an opening ceremony to celebrate your achievement. Well done everyone!

[Ed]

Does anyone know who is responsible for this lane and more importantly keeping the bushes trimmed back?

[Poppy]

From Mr Poppy's initial research at RoS, it appears that Christian Path, as it is in fact called, is probably the responsibility of the railway people [whatever the company is called this week]. Certainly, from something Maria said a few weeks ago re opening the station again, the trees are their responsiblity - and it used to be the access to the station, so .... go figure!!

Will keep you posted.

[Ed]

Strange that its called Christian Path when its nowhere near the Christians. I prefer the term Joby Lane or recently Ripped T-shirt Alley (as I go cycling down it).

[Poppy]

It's been called the Christian Path for a bit longer than the council estate's existed, I think.

Anyway, I googled it and, guess what ----- it's owned by Sustrans. See this link to if you want it cleared

[wangi]

Wanna buy it Ed? http://www.brb.gov.uk/property/property ... y=e&page=3

I think that's old infomation, and it has infact been bought by Sustrans a few years back. I remember reading that in one of the Portobello Reporters (searches)... :

http://porty.org.uk/reporters/rep_winter_02.pdf

I'm sure I've read somewhere about the history of the name etc, but...

[Poppy]

A Major Christian was twice provost of Portobello in the 1880s. See website

[wangi]

[Poppy]

Ah, that explains why Christian Path not listed on the street name website. Unless the path was something to do with a predecessor of the Provost Christian........Seems a bit odd to call something after what would be a given in days of yore - most of population would have been christian, so why call a path that? Keep digging, Wangi!!

[wangi]

I must have came across it in the library one time or something... I wonder if on this 1783 map:

http://www.visionsofscotland.co.uk/PortoHistory.htm
http://www.visionsofscotland.co.uk/figgatemap.htm

on Hellcat's site the "March betwixt Lord Abercorn & M Jamieson" is the Christian Path... Think it is.

[ecm]

We had a thread on this way back when. Perhaps it's time for some more volunteering.

[Epykat]

[Ed]

[wangi]

[Ed]

[Bob Jefferson]

[Robin!]

[ecm]

[Bob Jefferson]

[Ed]

Cycled down this morning, all offending branches that hit me, stung me and ripped my clothes are now gone. I can zoom down a lot faster so watch out

Thanks to the mystery woodsmen!

[Bob Jefferson]

[wangi]

From the Scotsman, 27/09/1887



...and that it would be an unsafe passage, especially at night, when it would become dangerous and a nuisance. The Provost said the Railway Company...



...as well-disposed people would be frequently passing.

There's pages of this stuff. The whole thing eventually turns into a major (and hilarious) spat between the Provost and Councillor Gray.

[wangi]

Oh, OK - here's a bit more:



The Scotsman Digital Archive is full of stuff like this. More on this subject soon.

[Maria]

SUSTRANS have submitted a planning application for a major upgrade to Christian Path. Once the work has been carried out the path will be adopted by COEC.

page7.jpg (154.63 KiB) Viewed 6671 times

[Bob Jefferson]

I see they are using the old Soviet maps.

[Pal of Porty]

I am delighted this has been resolved. A brilliant cycling short cut that means you can avoid the cobbles.

[SoupDragon]

Mr Soupy and Clanger 2 will be pleased, the Brighton Place cobbles are not pleasant
Mr Soupy did try using the pavement but got ticked off by the police