Dear Editor
I am writing express my anger regarding the proposal from residents of Silverknowes asking to brick up three access points leading to Muirhouse following incidents of antisocial behaviour being blamed on Muirhouse residents. While I disagree with vandalism and antisocial behaviour, blocking pathways will not be the solution to this problem. This could have the adverse effect on the problem. Unfortunately lots of this behaviour is happening all over the city.
I recall this same group opposing the building of the new Craigroyston High School close to their homes . What do these people want? A Berlin Wall within North Edinburgh? They are not an elitist group who can dictate what they want. The majority of people from Muirhouse are decent people who strive to improve their community and retain good links with surrounding neighbourhoods. Perhaps the answer is getting activists groups together within the neighbourhood to consult with each other . This could hopefully help to resolve the problem. Building barriers between communities is not the answer.
Anna Hutchison (by email)
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Anna, I agree with yourself 100% on this matter. I have in fact been in discussions with DMSA regarding this matter.
Today on their site:
Disclaimer re article in Edinburgh Evening News
The recent article in The Evening News on Saturday 6 October about Silverknowes Eastway was not instigated by the DMSA . Our Secretary and Chairman were asked to provide a statement to what we were assured was to be a balanced article . Our Chairman provided an appropriate statement and had his photograph taken for the article as it was important to put the views of the Silverknowes Residents . It would not have been realistic to have refused to comment on an important local issue. The Chaiman was quoted reasonably accurately in the article but his photograph was used to give a graphic association with a front page which was deliberately controversial and unpleasant. Had we had prior sight of the front page we would not have co-operated with the article. The photographic associations in the article have lead to some residents thinking that the article was instigated by the DMSA and it is important that we make it clear that was not the case. It was instigated by the Evening News and the unpleasant content is the responsibility of the newspaper .
Hi Anna
The council’s Transport, Infrastructure and Environment Committee will be discussing this issue on Thursday morning at 10am. The papers for the meeting are available and the recommendation from officials is: ‘Officer recommendations based on existing policy is that the blocking of access would be unacceptable given the adverse effect on safe routes to school used by a number of children in the area, in addition to the other policy and social concerns.’
Ultimately the decision will be down to the councillors on the TIE Committee, though.
Thomas Brown will be writing about it for the NEN after the meeting – keep an eye on the blog!