Work towards the reopening of Dean Path and Damside Bridge will begin next month, the City of Edinburgh Council has confirmed. The path and bridge have been closed since early 2016 following a landslip.
It is estimated that the construction work on Dean Path will take approximately 26 weeks which will see a completion date around the end of October 2021.
Repair work for the nearby Damside Bridge is also scheduled to begin next month.
Works will include:
Clearance of debris and vegetation on the slope
Repair and reinstatement of the footpath located along the Water of Leith affected by the land slip
Remedial landscaping
Installation of external drainage
Culture and Communities Convener Cllr Donald Wilson said: “The ongoing pandemic has had a great impact on the construction work necessary for the re-opening of the Dean Path.
“We are delighted to be moving forward with the project and that work will begin shortly. Its restoration will return a key section of our off-road paths network which I know will be welcomed by the many people who enjoy using it – including myself for running!”
Culture and Communities Vice Convener Cllr Amy McNeese-Mechan said: “It’s fantastic to see this project progressing, which will see a key route restored to the area, benefiting walkers, runners and cyclists.
“As the works on the path and bridge get underway, I want to take the opportunity to remind those nearby to take workers’ safety into consideration when passing the site. Please remember to stick to the ongoing guidance to keep us all safe.”
Police in Edinburgh have arrested and charged a 16-year-old male youth in connection with a serious assault in the Meadows area of Edinburgh.
The incident happened around 7.30pm on Saturday, 3 April, in the Middle Meadow Walk area when a 22-year-old man was attacked and seriously injured.
The accused youth appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday.
Chief Inspector Sam Ainslie, Area Commander said: “This is the fourth arrest and charge in connection with incidents within the Meadows area last weekend.
“ I would like thank the public for their ongoing support and I hope that the swift identifications and arrests provides reassurance that these behaviours will not be tolerated.”
Edinburgh Police said the force is planning “extra high-visibility patrols” this weekend.
Ch Supt Sean Scott said: “This is in direct response to the anti-social behaviour we have seen in recent weeks in our green spaces, but especially the Meadows area, which has been completely unacceptable,” he said.
“The operation this weekend will provide targeted patrols in those areas which have become an issue, to disrupt anyone intent on causing trouble.
“I want to make it clear, this behaviour will not be tolerated, and indeed a number of individuals have now been arrested and charged for various offences connected to last weekend’s incidents.
“We are working closely with the council and are committed to tackling these issues together, both in the immediate future and long-term.”
A man and a woman have today (Thursday, 8 April) been sentenced for the supply of Class A and Class B drugs in North Edinburgh.
Moses Irungu (40) was sentenced to four and half years in prison, and Nontuthuzelo Halana (44) was sentenced to 8 months, at the High Court in Aberdeen following an intelligence led operation that led to the seizure of over £350,000 worth of controlled drugs being taken off the streets.
The operation began in May 2020, during when officers searched properties in Edinburgh on Pilton Drive North and Steads Place in Leith. Twenty-two kilograms of amphetamine, two kilograms of heroin and £10,000 cash were recovered.
Irungu was subsequently arrested in connection.
A further search at a property in Ferry Gait Crescent in Muirhouse in June 2020 led to the recovery of items including mixing agent, crack cocaine and over £4,000 cash.
Halana was also traced at this address and arrested in connection with this and the previous seizures.
Both previously appeared at the High Court in Glasgow on Monday, 1 March, 2021 where they pled guilty to drug supply offences.
Detective Inspector Gary Reid from the Organised Crime and Counter Terrorism Unit said: “We welcome the conviction and today’s sentencing of Irungu and Halana for their involvement in the supply of controlled drugs.
“This intelligence led operation resulted in over £350,000 worth of controlled drugs being seized. We would like to send a clear message to anyone who is involved in the supply of drugs onto the streets of Scotland that if you expect to profit from other people’s misery, expect to be targeted by law enforcement.
“It’s clear Irungu and Halana were operating at a significant level in the drugs supply chain and bringing offenders to court, recovering illegal substances and disrupting the supply chain is our highest priority. No one is untouchable.
“The public continue to play a vital role in assisting our investigations into drug related activity and anyone with any concerns about drugs, or who has information about those involved in the drugs, should contact Police Scotland on 101 or make an anonymous report to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Police are appealing for information after a man was reported to have been assaulted and then struck by a vehicle in Stenhouse last night (Wednesday, 7 April, 2021).
Around 7.25 pm on Wednesday evening, police were called to a report of an altercation in Stenhouse Grove, involving two men. Shortly afterwards, a black 4×4 vehicle was seen to deliberately drive at one of the men in Stenhouse Street West, striking him and causing him to fall to the ground.
The vehicle then drove off and the man ran off along Stenhouse Street West.
The suspect, who is thought to be the driver of the 4×4, is described as white, in his 20s, 5 ft 10, of slim build, of gaunt appearance and had short blonde/brown hair. He was wearing a light coloured top and grey jogging bottoms. He spoke with a local accent.
Detective Sergeant Dougal Begg, Corstorphine CID, said: “At the moment our priority is to trace the man struck by the vehicle, primarily to ensure that he is safe and well. We want to make sure he receives any medical treatment he may need after this incident and would ask him to get in touch with police.
“We are still trying to establish why this happened.
“From our enquiries so far, the man struck by the vehicle, who is only described as white, 20-30 years old, of medium build, possibly brown hair, was wearing a beige jumper and grey jogging bottoms, was assaulted by a man, on Stenhouse Grove, Edinburgh.
“It is believed that the attacker then got into a black 4×4, with a male passenger on board, before deliberately striking the other man, throwing him into a hedge and then driving off.
“Officers are carrying out enquiries in the area in an effort to trace those involved.
“I would ask anyone who saw what happened, or who has any information that can assist our enquiry, contact CID officers at Corstorphine Police Station, Edinburgh, via 101. Please quote reference number 2912 of 7 April, 2021, when calling.
“Alternatively, information can be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
91% of travelers would be comfortable using digital health passports to help restart travel, according to new Amadeus-commissioned traveler research.
The study, commissioned by Amadeus and delivered by Censuswide, provides encouraging news for the industry, with 41% of travelers keen to book international travel within six weeks of restrictions lifting
The study demonstrates the importance of understanding traveler concerns around privacy, ease of use and security
As governments and the travel industry explore the benefits of digital health passports, the message from travelers is clear: digital health passports can be a vital tool in opening up travel.
The study found that just over 9 in 10 (91%) travelers surveyed said they would be comfortable using a digital health passport for future trips.
This encouraging research provides an incentive to accelerate plans for digital health passports that will help to address traveler concerns. The study provided further good news for the industry as just over 2 in 5 travelers (41%) said they would book international travel within six weeks of restrictions lifting, demonstrating that the appetite to travel remains high.
The survey of 9,055 travelers in France, Spain, Germany, India, UAE, Russia, Singapore, UK and US also contained a note of caution for the industry with over 9 in 10 (93%) travelers having some concerns around how their health data for travel would be stored.
When asked about the receptiveness to storing and sharing digital health data, survey results show:
· Just under three quarters (74%) of travelers surveyed would be willing to store their travel health data electronically if it enabled them to pass through the airport faster with fewer face-to-face interactions
· Over 7 in 10 (72%) travelers surveyed would be willing to store their travel health data electronically if it enabled them to travel to more destinations
· 68% of travelers agreed they would be more likely to share their health data if the airlines they most frequently travel with offered a way to store their travel health data.
Although receptiveness to sharing data is high, the travel industry needs to consider traveler concerns around the use of data. The three main concerns travelers have are:
· Security risks with personal information being hacked (38%)
· Privacy concerns around what health information needs to be shared (35%)
· Lack of transparency and control over where the data is shared (30%).
The survey also explored what solutions might alleviate concerns around digital health data and travel in the future and results showed:
· 42% of travelers said a travel app that could be used across the whole journey would greatly improve their overall travel experience and reassure them their information is all in one place
· 41% of travelers agree a travel app would reduce their stress around travel
· 62% of travelers would be more likely to use an app to store their health data if a travel company partnered with a trusted healthcare company.
The research is the second in a series of traveller surveys, where Amadeus takes a regular checkpoint on traveler sentiment and concerns to help the industry rebuild travel in the most effective way.
The 2020 Rethink Travel survey revealed how technology can help to increase traveler confidence and Amadeus revisited this question to see how traveler confidence has changed since September 2020. 91% of travelers now say that technology will increase their confidence to travel, an increase from 84% in September 2020.
When asked which technology would increase confidence to travel in the next 12 months, mobile solutions were highlighted as a popular option, with the top three technologies including:
· Mobile applications that provide on-trip notifications and alerts (45%)
· Contactless mobile payments (e.g., Apple or Google Pay, Paypal, Venmo) (44%)
· Mobile boarding (e.g., having your boarding pass on your mobile phone) (43%)
Decius Valmorbida, President, Travel, Amadeus, says:“There is no doubt that COVID-19 will continue to shape the way we travel for the months ahead, just as it influences so many other areas of our lives.
“Yet while there are still uncertainties, research like this reinforces my optimism that we will build back travel better than before. Collaboration across governments and our industry is the key to restarting travel, as we deliver on traveler expectations outlined in this Rebuild Travel digital health survey, deploying the right technology to enable a truly connected and contactless journey.”
Christophe Bousquet, CTO, Amadeus, comments,“This study highlights once more the key role that technology will play in rebuilding travel.
“We’ve seen a shift since our last survey, as travelers now place more focus on mobile and touchless technology, crucial areas that will clearly strengthen traveler confidence.
“It’s also very relevant to see that travelers are open to digital health passports and sharing their data as they move through the journey, once the right safeguards are in place. At Amadeus, we’re committed to rebuilding a better industry, together with our customers and partners.”
To gather more insights into how the travel industry can rebuild, Amadeus, a global leader in travel technology, commissioned research to learn more about travelers top concerns around digital health data, their comfort levels with sharing and storing their data, and the solutions that may help to alleviate their concerns for future travel.
Scotland’s Virtual Kiltwalk is taking place from April 23rd to 25th and Leith couple Annette and Warren West plan to put their best feet forward in aid of sight loss charity RNIB Scotland.
“Our proposed route is from my house in Leith to Portobello and back again,” she says, “approximately six miles, which is in similar length to the traditional Kiltwalk’s ‘Wee Wander’ option.”
Annette (61) has experienced sight loss herself for over 30 years but has always been helped and supported by RNIB Scotland. She thinks lockdown has made the Edinburgh-based charity’s services even more vital.
But rather than join her on her walk, where social distancing rules still apply, she suggests people might want to sponsor her, or organise their own activities and donate any funds raised to her Just Giving page.
“The great thing about the Kiltwalk has always been that any money raised is topped up by 50 percent by the Tom Hunter Foundation,” Annette says. “So any donation can lever in even more money, increasing the impact.
“I’m now into my fifth year of doing the Kiltwalk and fundraising on behalf of RNIB Scotland is more important than ever, as it enables blind and partially sighted people to stay connected with each other at a time when many are feeling very isolated.
“I’m also passionate about health and wellbeing and I try to maintain regular exercise, which isn’t always easy due to the restrictions currently in place. Having the Virtual Kiltwalk gives me something to focus on and keeps me motivated. It helps me, too, to develop good eating habits and take regular exercise.
“So, for me doing the Kiltwalk is not just about walking but a way of maintaining a healthy balanced life-style.”
The hard work and commitment of Edinburgh’s tennis community has been acknowledged by the sport’s national governing body which has selected a local university, club and residents as finalists for four of the most coveted awards in Scottish tennis.
Heather Hooker has been shortlisted for the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award which honours individuals who have made an exceptional contribution to tennis for more than 30 years.
Heather’s (above, right) involvement in tennis began at secondary school and continued when she joined the WRAF aged 17 where she played in inter-station competitions.
Heather subsequently joined Craigmillar Park TC in 1983 and has since become an asset to the club. Throughout 2020, she took the opportunity to revamp the clubhouse and surrounding grounds to provide a welcoming environment as tennis returned to the community.
Meanwhile, Heather’s club Craigmillar Park TC has earned a place on the Club of the Year shortlist as a result of demonstrating outstanding community links and growth in 2020.
Clive Minshull, member of fellow Edinburgh club Meadows City TC, has been shortlisted for the Volunteer of the Year Award which recognises an outstanding voluntary contribution made to inspire others to participate in the sport.
Acknowledging innovative attempts to ensure students of all abilities could continue to develop throughout lockdown in 2020, the University of Edinburgh received shortlisting for the highly desired Education Award.
The shortlist for the Tennis Scotland Awards 2021 has been unveiled to recognise the contribution of individuals, clubs, programmes and competitions which played a key role in helping tennis to thrive last year as participation continued to grow across the nation.
Blane Dodds, Tennis Scotland chief executive, said: “The response of the tennis community played a pivotal role in enabling the safe resumption of tennis in 2020. This year, more than ever before, it feels important to acknowledge exceptional contributions which are being made within our sport.”
“The Tennis Scotland Awards provide the perfect platform to celebrate the success stories of the year. With nominations of a particularly high standard, each shortlisted nominee should be very proud of their achievement.”
In total, 27 nominees have been announced across 10 separate categories, with the eventual winners subsequently securing a place at the LTA British Tennis Awards. Winners of the Tennis Scotland Awards will be announced online on the 23rd of April, with a ceremony to be held at a later date.
Among the winners last year was Yvonne Birnie who received the Lifetime Achievement Award for outstanding services to Rothiemurchus and Aviemore Tennis Club.
Elsewhere, Scotland’s number-one ranked women’s player, Maia Lumsden, earned the International Player of the Year Award, whilst the 12U Boys North County Cup Team received recognition for magnificent performances and team spirit which secured their title of Team of the Year.
The full shortlist of finalists can be viewed here:
Aldi has teamed up with long-term supplier Williams Bros to give customers the chance to name a brand-new beer which will be sold in stores across the UK.
Beer loving Scots have the opportunity to choose the perfect name for Aldi’s next collaboration with Williams Bros and win the very first case of the brand-new brew, which is a tropical New England White IPA.
Check out Williams Bros’ website for inspiration, where you’ll find everything from Joker IPA to Ceasar Augustus, alongside some of the beers that have cemented their partnership with Aldi like Perfect Storm and Iconic.
The New England White IPA has all the juicy, tropical aromas and flavours of a NEIPA but balanced by the refreshing, spicy addition of citrus peel and a pinch of coriander seed.
It’s heavily dry hopped (with Mosaic, Citra & Sabro) and less bitter than a typical IPA, creating a smoother, rounder flavour which, combined with the presence of wheat and oats, result in a full body and natural haze.
Head over to Aldi Scotland’s Facebook or Instagram (@AldiScotland) before Sunday 11 April to enter.
New research reveals how much unpaid work women in the city are doing, and what it would be worth on the labour market
Women aged 16 and over in Scotland carry out £35 billion worth of work every year
Average woman does work equivalent to job paying £15k per year
A new study has revealed how much unpaid work the average woman does, and the amount she would be paid for it on the job market. It estimates that the combined total for women across Scotland totals billions of pounds each year.
The research, by IVA Advice, analysed the unpaid household tasks a British woman does on average each week, such as childcare, cooking, laundry and cleaning, and the average salary for jobs doing the equivalent, such as a cleaner, carer or kitchen assistant.
It revealed that women spend more than 30 hours per week doing unpaid labour and could expect to be paid around £15,000 a year for the work.
An estimated 2.35 million women over the age of 16 live in Scotland, which means the combined total of unpaid work by women across the country equates to £680 million each week, £2.94 billion each month, and £35.3 billion each year.
Approximately 21.5 million women over the age of 16 live in the UK, so the unpaid work by women across Great Britain and Northern Ireland adds up to a staggering £891 million each day, £27 billion each month, and £324 billion each year.
In addition, 71.8% of those women also have paid jobs, meaning 15.49 million women are effectively working two jobs, while only being paid for one.
If the work were to be paid, government coffers would swell to the tune of an extra £10.9 billion per year in tax, and £14.3 billion in annual National Insurance contributions.
On average the most time-consuming unpaid labour for women in the UK is cooking, which takes up more than seven hours each week, followed by nearly six hours of providing transport, and more than four hours each of childcare and housework.
Unpaid household tasks
Equivalent job
Average yearly salary
Average monthly salary
Average hourly rate
Average hours women spend on task per week
Unpaid salary per week
Unpaid salary per month
Unpaid salary per year
Childcare
Nursery assistant
£19,000
£1,583.33
£9.74
4.40
£45.49
£197.11
£2,365.26
Transport
Taxi driver
£19,720
£1,643.33
£10.11
5.51
£59.14
£256.29
£3,075.46
Cooking
Kitchen assistant
£16,622
£1,385.17
£8.52
7.17
£62.03
£268.78
£3,225.33
Shopping
Supermarket delivery driver
£15,317
£1,276.42
£7.85
4.33
£35.72
£154.78
£1,857.31
Laundry
Laundry attendant
£17,355
£1,446.25
£8.90
2.24
£21.36
£92.56
£1,110.72
Housework (cleaning and tidying)
Cleaner
£18,579
£1,548.25
£9.53
3.40
£44.41
£192.44
£2,309.31
Gardening
Professional gardener
£20,536
£1,711.33
£10.53
1.13
£12.85
£55.67
£668.02
Adult care (for elderly and disabled)
Carer
£20,759
£1,729.92
£10.65
0.19
£3.41
£14.77
£177.22
Home repairs
Labourer
£20,536
£1,711.33
£10.53
0.29
£4.84
£20.99
£251.88
Totals
31.25
£289.24
£1,253.38
£15,040.51
IVA Advice provides free, qualified advice to help people solve their debt problems for good. Its team of experienced experts help ensure that anyone who has problems with debt is able to reclaim financial control.
After the launch of the first phase of our elections last week, we have another info session on Wednesday 21 April for any young people interested in becoming an MSYP!
