29/09/2014 – The NEN – North Edinburgh News

Flood prevention scheme second phase gets green light

The second phase of a multi-million pound flood prevention scheme has been given the go-ahead following a funding agreement.

The Water of Leith Flood Prevention Scheme (WoLFPS) is a key infrastructure project to help protect hundreds of properties in vulnerable areas of the city from future flooding.

Following the completion of the first phase, which included defences at Veitches Square, Stockbridge Colonies, Warriston, St Mark’s Park and Bonnington, overall costs for a reconfigured Phase 2 at Murrayfield/Roseburn were estimated at £25.241m.

However, the available capital budget for this second phase stood at £20.539m, leaving a shortfall of £4.702m and jeopardising the delivery of this next stage of the WoLFPS.

The City of Edinburgh Council has now agreed to fund this shortfall through a realignment and transfer of existing Services for Communities capital budgets, meaning that the formal procurement process can now get under way, with flood prevention works starting in the Roseburn and Murrayfield area in autumn 2015.

Councillor Lesley Hinds, Transport Convener, said: “It’s fantastic news that we can now proceed with the next stage of this hugely important project, which will safeguard hundreds of properties from flooding in the future. We’ve been working extremely closely with the community and key stakeholders to make sure they were fully involved in the plans from the outset and with reinforced governance and protocols in place, we’re confident that Phase 2 will be delivered efficiently and at best value to the taxpayer.”

Local schools share the Commonwealth Games experience at Spartans

2014 has been a fantastic year for sport in Scotland. From hosting the Ryder Cup to fantastic performances from the national football team against the World Cup champions – what better time to capture the attention of the younger generation and engage them in sport?

Undoubtedly the most popular talking point in Scottish sport has been Glasgow having the privilege of hosting the Commonwealth Games this summer, and following this tremendous event, The Spartans Community Football Academy was keen to offer the young people of North Edinburgh the opportunity to try their hands at some Commonwealth sports.

With the support of Big Lottery Funding, we hosted our very own North Edinburgh Commonwealth Games Day last Tuesday (23 September). Our aim was simple – let young people experience Commonwealth sports they may never have had the opportunity to try before. We invited primary 7 pupils from five local primary schools to join us at The Spartans Community Football Academy – that’s over 200 young people! Thank you Pirniehall PS, Blackhall PS, Forthview PS, Granton PS and St Davids PS for making the day such a special occasion!

Local clubs and organizations were quick to offer help with our event allowing us to offer a great variety of sports. On the day, pupils got to try their hand at Hurdles, Long Jump, Javelin, Triathlon, Boxing, Judo, 100m and 400m relay.

There was great energy around the event and this stemmed from the coaches and volunteers we had on board for the day. We would like to thank coaches and volunteers from Kabo Boxing, Edinburgh Leisure and Jidel Judo for coming along and making the event such a success.

We were extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to offer a Triathlon station to the young people – this wouldn’t have been possible without the help and resources from Ainslie Park Leisure Centre and MyAdventure who offered us use of their swimming pool and bicycles.

We would also like to extend thanks to staff from the Nike store in Craigleith for all their help and support with this project. We would like to extend a final thank you to Big Lottery Funding for believing in our project – without their support this fantastic event would not have been possible.

Pictured above are pupils from St Davids PS and Granton PS who spent the afternoon at our Commonwealth Games.

Jamie Tomkinson (Youth & Community Worker)

The Spartans Community Football Academy

Sainsbury’s and D Mains double up to support Macmillan

Colleagues from Sainsburys Blackhall – with the help of the parents and pupils of Davidsons Main Primary School – held a Macmillan coffee morning on Friday (26 September) and raised an amazing £1,000 for the Macmillan nurses!

A huge thank you to all involved!

Gail Wilson
Sainsburys Blackhall

Masked men raid family home in Crewe Road South

Police are appealing for information following an armed robbery in Crewe Road South during the night. Four armed men wearing masks broke into a house just before 2am and attacked a terrified Chinese couple and their ten-year-old son. The raiders – who spoke with Scottish accents – escaped with a four-figure-sum of cash and jewellery.

Police are carrying out inquiries in the area and have increased high-visibility patrols in Craigleith.

Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Houston, who is leading the investigation, said: “The occupants of the house were awoken in the night to four masked intruders, who threatened them with a weapon and demanded cash. This was obviously a terrifying experience for them, and we are looking for any information to help us trace those responsible.

“I would be particularly keen to trace the drivers or occupants of any vehicles that were within the area at the time of the incident.

“We don’t have a clear description of the men as they were wearing masks, but they were all wearing dark clothing, and we are working to establish further details.”

If you have any information please call Police Scotland on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The jam in Edinburgh’s planning sandwich?

Trinity Community Council has commented on Edinburgh’s latest Local Development Plan:

The City of Edinburgh Council’s latest Local Development Plan shows more than 17,000 new houses to be built on either side of the Trinity area. Trinity comprises about 4,000 houses currently so that is a very significant increase in nearby housing stock. There will also be two new Primary Schools, additional shopping at Granton and Leith and major industrial development at Leith docks.

Despite this, the plan contains no corresponding transport proposals. Will Trinity be the jam in the sandwich between developments at Leith and Granton? The previous plan depended on the tram to Newhaven taking the strain but the scrapping of that extension has not been replaced by any alternative.

Unless the plan recognises the need, transport will only be reviewed piecemeal as developments are built – with all that implies for impatient motorists taking shortcuts through residential areas.

There is also concern about possible impact on parking – already causing a number of problems and made worse by apparent lack of enforcement. One suggestion is to introduce Priority Parking but this would cost residents for their permit. More info at

http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/info/20083/parking_permits/451/priority_parking

We will push for a review of roads, transport (including bus services) and parking in north Edinburgh as part of the Plan rather than as an afterthought.

Trinity Community Council

NOTE:

Comments on Edinburgh’s Local Development Plan must be received by this Friday – 3 October