by Bob Jefferson » 27 Mar 2007, 18:23
Maureen's March 07 Report:
Milton Link Road Works
The traffic delays have reduced to 5 minutes, but there are still concerns about traffic levels in residential areas and on Portobello High Street. The Council, contractors, police and traffic wardens have gone to considerable lengths, in particular to ensure the safety of children crossing to and form Brunstane Primary School. It would have been very much simpler for them to close the crossing altogether and direct people to the underpass. The local community did not see this as a preferable option.
No 69 Shopping Bus from Milton Road to Portobello
The No 69 ‘shopping’ bus is now running through Milton Road East, along Harry lauder Road to Portobello during the day. Its long term future – as with all bus services – will depend on how well services are used. Bus routes are kept under constant review. So people must use it, or lose it! After the road works are finished, there will be a survey – probably in the autumn – to see how well the No 69 is patronised on the new route. The demand for the return of a better and more extended service, like the No 12, will also be kept under review.
HMO Application for Ardblair Guest House, 1 Duddingston CrescentThis application is on the agenda for the Regulatory Committee this coming Friday. I have been reassured by the Committee Clerk in consultation with the Council Solicitor, that, given the confusion over the notice, all letters of objection will be taken into account, even although residents have had letters saying they were out of time. The Regulatory Committee is likely to agree to a postponement of this item until a public meeting has been held with all interested parties to exchange information, as we did with 6 John Street. This will also include the Council’s homeless section.
Opposition to Ship to Ship Oil Transfer
The Leaders of all the Forth coastal Councils who are objecting to this madcap scheme in the Forth Estuary, have arranged to have a face-to-face meeting with the Chief Executive of Forth Ports, Charles Hammond, this coming Thursday. They will leave Forth Ports in no doubt of our communities’ outright opposition to their proposal.
The Facts About Meadowbank Replacement
It is unfortunate that misinformation has been put around about what is really being proposed. The Council is not selling the whole site for housing. Meadowbank was built 40 years ago and £250,000 is spent on it every year to keep it up to standard, but it was not built to last, and it now needs replacement. There is not enough room to build a good sports stadium at Meadowbank, so the Council plan to build a new stadium at Sighthill and this was agreed and reported in 2004. All the sports bodies were involved and agreed with the plan. The Council is planning to complete Sighthill and the new East Edinburgh local sports centre, before Meadowbank closes. The Council is consulting local people on what sports facilities they want at their new East Edinburgh Centre. The rest of the site will be re-developed with a new public square, shops, workplaces and homes – including affordable homes for rent. The Council is also consulting local people about this development. The proceeds from the new development will help pay for Sighthill Stadium and the Royal Commonwealth Pool. The Council has already set aside at least £4 million.to build the new East Edinburgh sports facility, which will obviously be very important to us.