Applications for LeithChooses 2026/27 still open – but just 4 weeks left to apply!
Constituted community groups are invited to apply for project funding of up to £5,000. As usual, projects should be new or adding new value (not continued funding of an existing service) that will be of benefit to the community in Leith.
Projects should be designed to start after 31st March 2027 and run until March 2028 at the latest. The theme for this year is ‘Greater Leith Harmony’ and the deadline for applications is 12th October 2026.
We welcome your applications using our online form at:
If you have any questions or would like any support with your application, please get in touch as soon as possible to allow time for discussions, by email at: leithchooses@edinburgh.gov.uk.
There’s still time to register for our final online applicant information session on 30 September 2026, 5.30pm to 6.30pm – Register to attend
We look forward to hearing your ideas for new projects.
Over 2300 children took part in Scotland’s biggest outdoor learning event in Edinburgh this week.
Primary six pupils from 49 schools across the city enjoyed over 40 activities delivered by 30 partner organisations, each giving their time for free.
The Outdoor Learning Challenge took place over September 8-9 at Holyrood Park, and saw pupils try their hand at activities including mountain biking, archery, drumming, survival skills and campfires.
The event was organised and led by the City of Edinburgh Council’s Outdoor Learning and Adventure Education Team and delivered in partnership with Dynamic Earth Science Centre and Planetarium, Historic Environment Scotland Ranger Service in Holyrood Park, and Moray House School of Education and Sport, University of Edinburgh.
Organisations including Edinburgh Zoo, Royal Botanical Gardens Edinburgh and Holyrood Palace led workshops with the activities altered to suit children of all abilities, including those with physical or learning disablities.
Councillor James Dalgleish, Education, Children and Families Convener, said:“The Outdoor Challenge is a fantastic event, I had a great time today learning new skills and meeting lots of children, teachers, staff and partners.
“We were lucky to have a sun-filled two days at Holyrood Park and thousands of young people enjoyed dozens of activites, many pushing themselves out their comfort zones.
“Bringing learning outdoors is vital to improve mental and physical health as well as help our young people learn how nature and the outdoor connects to their lives.
“I was particularly impressed with how the activities were altered to allow children of all abilities to take part and the teamwork on show from our young people was stellar.
“Thanks to the partners and providers who brought their skill and expertise to Holyrood Park for a brilliant couple of days for all involved.”
The family of ayoung Scottish mum who lost her life to bowel cancer earlier this year is taking on the Edinburgh Kiltwalk this weekend to raise vital funds for Bowel Cancer UK, the UK’s leading bowel cancer charity.
Various members of Abigail Millar’s close family will be taking on the Edinburgh Kiltwalk this Sunday 13th September after she sadly died from bowel cancer on 12th May this year aged just 41, leaving behind her husband Ross Millar and their two young children Gregor and Katie.
All funds raised by the team, named Abigail’s Star Team, will go towards supporting Bowel Cancer UK’s work to save lives and improve the quality of life of everyone affected by bowel cancer.
At the time of writing, the team has raised over £3,000 for the charity, with donations still streaming in.
“Abigail was a much-loved member of our family whose kindness, warmth, and spirit touched everyone who knew her,” Abigail’s cousin, Fiona Durkin said on the family’s JustGiving page.
“Her loss has left a huge gap in our lives, and she is remembered every day with love and affection.
“By taking on this sponsored walk, we hope to honour Abigail’s memory, raise awareness of bowel cancer, and support the vital work being done to improve research, treatment, and early diagnosis.”
Abigail, who was originally from Corstorphine in Edinburgh before settling in Botley, Hampshire with her husband and children, first visited her GP with abdominal pain in October 2024, thinking there was a problem with her ovaries.
She gave a stool sample, was referred for a colonoscopy and was subsequently diagnosed with bowel cancer on 6th December 2024.
She underwent surgery in January 2025 where part of her colon was removed and was relieved not to need a stoma. She and her family thought she was through the worst, particularly with doctors thinking that they had managed to catch her cancer early enough.
“Following surgery Abigail’s cancer staging results came through and that is when the bombshell hit us,” Abigail’s husband Ross said. “She was told that she had stage 3 cancer and needed to have some preventative chemotherapy.”
Three months into chemotherapy, doctors told Abigail that her cancer had spread due to a genetic mutation, it was aggressive and couldn’t be cured but could be managed.
In March 2026, Abigail and her family were told that her cancer was terminal. She enjoyed the time she had left with her family before passing away at home with them by her side on 12th May 2026.
Abigail’s family are now determined to continue her legacy of fundraising for bowel cancer. Abigail’s husband Ross is now in training to complete a series of fundraising events to support Bowel Cancer UK.
Abigail and Ross’s son has always wanted to be a doctor, and this sad experience has solidified his focus on this goal, with the ultimate aim of helping other people in similar situations.
“Abigail and I spent 20 years of our lives together – she had such a zest for life,” Ross said. “She was bright, funny, fiercely loyal, and devoted to her family. She was a beautiful soul and created so many great moments in life for all those fortunate enough to be around her.
“It was one of Abigail’s wishes to raise awareness of bowel cancer, particularly because cases are rising in younger people like her.
“Sadly, she can’t do that now, but I can, our children can, and our family can. If her story helps someone get an early diagnosis or saves a life, her message will have done what it needs to do.”
Jenny Poulter, Events Fundraising Manager for Bowel Cancer UK, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to Abigail’s family for sharing her story with us and selecting Bowel Cancer UK as their chosen charity as they take on the Edinburgh Kiltwalk in her memory.
“Every 11 minutes someone is diagnosed with bowel cancer, making it the UK’s fourth most common cancer. The money raised by Abigail’s Star Team will help us continue to raise awareness of the disease and its symptoms, provide expert information and support to patients and their families, fund vital research, and campaign for early diagnosis and access to best treatment and care.
“We hope that Ross and the rest of Abigail’s family know the difference that their support will make, and we wish them all the best for their walk. We’re sure that Abigail would be immensely proud of their efforts.”
GATHER is a brand new exhibition showcasing work by artists and community members from across Edinburgh, coming together for the very first time.
As well as artwork from the other hubs, the exhibition features 21 Art for Grown Ups members showing their work, plus our community banner (still a work in progress but almost complete!) on display alongside artwork created by NEA and Royston Wardieburn Community Centre members.
This is a truly special exhibition, and we’d love for you to join us!
GATHER EXHIBITION
Opening: Friday 11 September 2026, from 4:30pm
Main Exhibition: 12 – 26 September 2026
St Margaret’s House, 151 London Road, Edinburgh EH7 6AE
Free. No need to book.
The Creative Community Hubs Network consists of eight partner organisations based across Edinburgh: WHALE Arts, The Out of the Blue Drill Hall, Granton:hub, North Edinburgh Arts, Duncan Place Leith, The Crannie, Lyra and Craigmillar Now.
St Joseph’s RC Primary School in Edinburgh has been selected to receive a twelve-week author residency with Ross Collins Mackay, thanks to generous funding from the Walter Scott Giving Group.
The Live Literature School Residencies Programme, now in its eleventh year, is organised by Scottish Book Trust, the national charity changing lives through reading and writing.
The residencies, delivered at no cost to the school, are designed to inspire a lifelong love of reading and writing amongst pupils. They also give professional writers like Ross Mackay the opportunity to build relationships with the school and work together on a creative project.
St Joseph’s Headteacher Mhairi Brannan says:‘We are delighted to welcome an author in residence to our school. This is a wonderful opportunity for our pupils to be inspired by a professional writer and to build their confidence in expressing their own ideas through writing.
“We are really looking forward to seeing their creativity flourish and watching them discover just how powerful their own voices can be.’
Ross Mackay says: ‘Before I was a writer, I was a learning assistant at St Joseph’s. Back then the school was bursting with creativity and I’m sure it’s the same now – so as much as I am hoping to inspire the pupils, I am certain they will be inspiring me too.’
Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust, says: ‘Congratulations to St Joseph’s RC Primary School for this wonderful opportunity that is sure to enrich pupils.
“The Live Literature School Residencies Programme is an important flagship programme for Scottish Book Trust. Over the course of the 12 fully funded sessions, pupils and teachers receive expert guidance from their chosen authors, allowing creativity to thrive.
“These creative projects also offer the chance to tap into the local community, while promoting reading and writing cultures. We are incredibly grateful to our funders the Walter Scott Giving Group for making these residencies possible.”
Schools across the country were invited to apply to the programme which brings professional authors into the classroom to inspire and engage pupils. Each school taking part in the programme will receive 12 sessions delivered by an author from Scottish Book Trust’s author directory. They also receive a £500 grant for resources.
The residencies will run across the 2026-27 school year and finish by May 2027.
Each school’s project will be showcased on Scottish Book Trust’s website, alongside suggested learning resources and helpful tips to make the most of the residency sessions.
The eight schools who have been selected to receive twelve-week author residencies, thanks to generous funding from the Walter Scott Giving Group are:
e-Sgoil (Na h-Eileanan Siar) – author Louisa MacDougall
Stirches Primary School (Hawick, Scottish Borders) – author Alan Windram
Kirkintilloch High School (Kirkintilloch, East Dunbartonshire) – author Nadine Aisha Jassat
St Joseph’s RC Primary School (Edinburgh) – author Ross Collins Mackay
Sunnybank Primary School (Aberdeen) – author Shalla Gray
Toryglen Primary and Language & Communication Resource (Glasgow) – author Yasmin Hanif
Newtonmore Primary School (Highland) – author Shelagh Campbell
Childcare in the Community (South Lanarkshire) – author Eric Brennan
Recent rainfall has not been enough to reverse the impact of months of dry conditions on parts of Scotland’s east coast, with four areas now at Significant Water Scarcity.
North Fife and Fife (East Neuk) have returned to Significant Scarcity for the second time this year, while Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire and North Esk in Angus have reached the level for the first time.
The latest weekly Water Scarcity Report from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) shows conditions are continuing to vary considerably across Scotland.
In the Scottish Borders, Upper Tweed and Mid Tweed and Lauderdale have recovered from Significant Scarcity following recent rainfall. There has also been some recovery in the Earn, Almond and Dee in Galloway.
But very low river flows continue across parts of eastern Scotland, where a rainfall deficit built up over the spring and summer has proved harder to reverse. Parts of Fife have received below-average rainfall since March and significant further rainfall will be needed for widespread recovery.
Rainfall can raise river levels relatively quickly, but this does not necessarily reverse the effects of months of dry weather. Where river flows, soils and groundwater have been depleted over a longer period, sustained rainfall is needed for conditions to recover.
North Fife and Fife (East Neuk) first reached Significant Scarcity on 28 July. Temporary abstraction restrictions introduced at the time affected 99 licences, primarily supporting agricultural activities.
Rainfall allowed both areas to move out of Significant Scarcity in early August, although the wider area remained affected by water scarcity. Very low river flows subsequently returned and have now persisted long enough for North Fife and Fife (East Neuk) to reach Significant Scarcity again.
The position for agricultural abstractors is different from late July, as the main period of irrigation demand has now passed for many growers. However, different crops require water at different stages of the growing season and some businesses continue to rely on abstraction.
SEPA are continuing to take action to protect the water environment. This week, temporarily abstraction restrictions apply to 136 licences in North Fife, Fife (East Neuk), Stonehaven and North Esk, primarily covering agricultural abstraction. While not all licence holders will currently be abstracting, restrictions will remain in place until conditions recover from Significant Scarcity.
Eilidh Johnston, SEPA Senior Leader in Compliance, said: “It might feel as though Scotland has had plenty of rain in recent weeks. We have seen heavy rainfall and flooding in some places, while other areas have not recovered from water scarcity. But a wet few days do not undo the effects of a dry few months.
“In parts of the east, a rainfall deficit has built up over the spring and summer. Fife demonstrates that particularly clearly. North Fife and East Neuk improved enough to move out of Significant Scarcity in August, but they have now reached that level for a second time.
“It is important to remember why we monitor river levels and ecological conditions so closely, and why we may reduce or temporarily stop abstractions when conditions become severe. When rivers remain exceptionally low for a prolonged period, there is a greater risk of serious and long-lasting damage to the water environment and the plants and animals that depend on it.
“Our role is to protect the health of our rivers while recognising that farms and other businesses also depend on water from the environment. The east of Scotland is an important growing region and the position is different from late July, with the main period of irrigation demand now past for many growers while others still have crops which require water.
“We have been speaking directly to businesses whose abstractions will be affected so they understand what this means for them, and we will continue to keep that dialogue open.
“This summer also shows why building Scotland’s resilience to water scarcity matters. We need to be prepared for both too much and too little water, and for conditions to be very different from one part of the country to another.
“As our climate changes, Scotland is expected to experience hotter, drier summers alongside more intense rainfall. Protecting the water environment, using water efficiently and planning ahead for periods when less water is available will become increasingly important.”
SEPA continue to monitor river flows, rainfall, soil moisture and groundwater levels across Scotland and will update water scarcity levels as conditions change.
The National Youth Choir of Scotland (NYCOS) is marking its 30th anniversary by launching an ambitious initiative designed to help bring singing back into classrooms across the country.
Arriving in schools from September, NYCOS Singing Time is a free online resource that will be gifted to every primary school in Scotland, providing teachers with accessible, engaging singing materials developed by one of the country’s most influential music education organisations.
Created as the centrepiece of NYCOS’s 30th anniversary celebrations, the initiative brings together three decades of expertise in youth singing, musicianship and music education. Featuring 15 songs and accompanying singing games, the resource is designed to help children experience the joy of singing while developing musical understanding through play. The films were directed and edited by Lewis Landini and feature three young presenters – Connor Going, Holly Clelland, and Tawana Maramba.
The launch comes at a time when many teachers report feeling less confident about teaching singing and music in the classroom, while opportunities for young people to sing together have declined. NYCOS Singing Time aims to remove those barriers by providing a free, easy-to-use resource that can be accessed by any primary school, regardless of musical experience or budget.
Based on the Kodály principles that have shaped NYCOS’s educational approach for three decades, the resource uses games, movement and age-appropriate repertoire to help children absorb musical concepts naturally and joyfully. The songs span a range of traditions and languages, including English, Scots and Gaelic, reflecting both Scotland’s cultural heritage and NYCOS’s belief that singing should be open and accessible to all.
More than simply a teaching resource, NYCOS Singing Time represents what the organisation describes as a “gift to Scotland” as it celebrates a milestone birthday.
Founded in 1996 by conductor Christopher Bell, NYCOS was created at a time when opportunities for young singers at regional level were disappearing across Scotland due to local government reorganisation.
What began as a single national youth choir has grown into a nationwide organisation that supports thousands of young people every year through regional choirs, national ensembles, schools’ programmes, teacher training and creative learning initiatives.
Over the past 30 years, NYCOS has helped shape Scotland’s singing culture at every level. Its national choirs have performed on some of the world’s leading stages, from the Edinburgh International Festival and BBC Proms to major international tours, while its regional choir network has enabled young people across Scotland to experience the social, educational and artistic benefits of singing close to home.
The organisation’s influence extends far beyond music. For three decades, NYCOS has championed the well-documented benefits of singing for confidence, self-esteem, communication, social connection, literacy and learning.
Thousands of young people have passed through its choirs, many going on to careers in music and the arts, while others have taken the skills, resilience and friendships they developed through singing into every walk of life.
As NYCOS enters its fourth decade, the organisation believes the need for collective singing among young people has never been greater. Alongside NYCOS Singing Time, the charity is marking its anniversary year with a series of major initiatives designed to widen participation and create new pathways into singing.
On 16 September, NYCOS will launch a new Glasgow Regional Choir, expanding its network of regional choirs and creating opportunities for even more young people to sing regularly in their local communities.
Earlier this year, the organisation launched the NYCOS BSL Youth Choir bringing together Deaf and hearing young people from across Scotland in what is believed to be the first ensemble of its kind in Scotland.
Developed in partnership with leading accessible music practitioner Paul Whittaker OBE, the choir enables young British Sign Language users aged 14-18 to experience the creativity, connection and shared expression of choral performance through sign language. The ensemble made its debut at the Opening Ceremony of the Scottish Parliament on 27th June 2026.
The anniversary programme also includes, for the first time, Full Circle, an initiative designed to nurture the next generation of choral leaders in Scotland. Accomplished former NYCOS singers are invited to train as musicianship teachers, enabling them to return to the organisation’s regional choirs and support the next generation of young singers.
Led by internationally respected Kodály specialist and NYCOS Creative Learning Director Lucinda Geoghegan, the first cohort of 21 participants have undertaken intensive training before being placed within regional choirs across Scotland, where they have observed classes, taught alongside experienced staff and begun leading their own musicianship sessions.
At the heart of the programme is Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana, a work that holds a special place in NYCOS history as the first major piece performed by the choir when it was founded in 1996, then comprised of only 60 singers.
In August 2026, the choir performed the work in Paisley, Aberdeen and Perth alongside regional choirs from across the country.
The gala performance at Usher Hall will bring together 170 young singers with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra.
Christopher Bell, Founder and Artistic Director of NYCOS, said:“Thirty years ago, we set out with a very simple belief: Scotland needs a National Youth Choir to develop and showcase the talent of its young singers. Since then, we have expanded beyond our dreams and have created one of the largest and most dynamic youth organisations in Europe.
“Thousands of young people have sung with us over the last three decades. We have seen singing transform confidence, create lifelong friendships and open doors that many young people never thought possible.
“NYCOS Singing Time is our gift to Scotland as we celebrate this anniversary year. We want every child, in every primary school, to have the opportunity to sing.
“If we can help bring singing back into more classrooms, then we can help another generation discover the same joy, confidence and sense of belonging that singing has given so many young people over the last 30 years.
“When young people sing together, something remarkable happens. They learn to listen, to communicate, to work together and to express themselves. Those benefits extend far beyond music, and that is why this work remains so important today.”
Case “raises bigger questions over Scotland’s planning system”
A COURT of Session challenge has been launched against the Scottish Ministers’ decision to approve a controversial 544-bed visitor accommodation development in Edinburgh’s historic West End.
The Statutory Appeal seeks to have the Scottish Government Reporter’s decision quashed, arguing that serious errors were made in the way the application was considered.
The legal challenge relates to plans to transform four Category A-listed Georgian townhouses at 14-17 Atholl Crescent, within Edinburgh’s UNESCO World Heritage Site, into high-density pod-style visitor accommodation.
Philip Flockhart, conservation architect and spokesperson for the residents, said: “The decision to pursue a Court of Session challenge has not been taken lightly and the legal arguments will now be considered through that process.
“The wider issue, which goes beyond one development, is that this was an exceptionally large and complex proposal and Edinburgh’s elected Development Management Sub Committee never had the opportunity to consider it.”
The application was taken to the Scottish Government after the council’s deadline for reaching a decision had passed, before it had reached Edinburgh’s Development Management Sub-Committee. As a result, locally elected councillors never had the opportunity to vote on the proposals.
Concerns about the way the application moved through the planning process have been raised by elected representatives from across the political spectrum.
In a written response to Cllr Adam Nols-McVey, who raised deep concerns about the situation surrounding the Atholl Crescent development, Cllr Hal Osler, convener of Edinburgh’s Development Management Sub-Committee, said she was “deeply disappointed” that the committee had not been given the chance to determine the application.
She said: “This was an extremely complicated application that required both planning permission and listed building consent. The statutory decision-making timescale for both applications is set at two months.
“Prior to the agent exercising their right to appeal non-determination, the officer sought to agree an extension of time with the agent to allow submission of additional information to support the assessment.”
The case comes amid wider pressure on Edinburgh’s planning system. Council figures show that 2,434 applications, 54% of those determined between August 2024 and July 2026, were decided after the point at which applicants became entitled to appeal on grounds of non-determination.
Residents have stressed that their concern is not with Edinburgh’s planning officers, who are dealing with significant workloads and pressure on resources. Instead, they believe the case raises a wider question about whether the current system gives councils enough time and support to properly consider particularly large and complex applications before an applicant becomes entitled to take the matter to appeal.
Mr Flockhart added: “We have sympathy with planning officers working under enormous pressure. The question is whether the current system gives councils and communities sufficient protection when major applications reach a statutory deadline before local democratic scrutiny has taken place.
“Edinburgh needs investment and it needs places for visitors to stay. This is not about opposing appropriate development or tourism. It is about making sure people can have confidence in how major planning decisions are made.”
More than 280 objections were lodged against the proposals, which were also opposed by all four local ward councillors and the area’s MP, Dr Scott Arthur.
The Cockburn Association previously warned that the development would cause “substantial and irreversible harm”, while the Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland raised concerns about the “scale and intensity” of the proposed use.
Dr Scott Arthur MP said: “I remain deeply disappointed by the decision to approve this development. The scale and 24-hour nature of the proposal raises legitimate concerns around residential amenity, noise, safety and the impact on the surrounding area.
“I respect the planning process and the role of the Reporter, but I continue to stand with residents who have raised serious and reasonable concerns about this development.”
Cllr Claire Miller, Green councillor for the city centre ward, said: “While the planning decision was extremely disappointing, I’m really pleased that the community is pulling together and I’ll be supporting their decision to lodge a Statutory Appeal.
“Our planning system is skewed in favour of developers and so I believe it’s important to support local residents to have their say when it comes to large applications like this hostel and that local decision making is respected.”
Cllr Finlay McFarlane, SNP councillor for the city centre ward, said: “I am certainly impressed at the resolution of the residents that they are continuing to take this forward.
“For them not to have had their say through the planning process is an absolute betrayal and I wish them well.”
Cllr Jo Mowat, Scottish Conservatives councillor for the city centre ward, said: “It is disappointing that residents are having to take the further action in this matter but encouraging that they are now able to make their case legally.
“Such decisions are best made locally, not by distant bureaucrats, and this whole episode epitomises the much wider issue of local democracy and planning reform which the Scottish Government urgently needs to address. ”
Liberal Democrat spokeperson and former City Centre councillor Charlie Dundas, said: “My main concern is the by-passing of local democracy by going straight to the national reporter. Local voices need to be heard and the Council should be able to do its job. This feels like a loophole which needs to be closed.”
Among the further issues raised in the Statutory Appeal is the scale of the development itself. Although the proposals have consistently been presented as providing approximately 544 beds, the appeal argues that the planning permission contains no restriction on the number of beds or pod units which could ultimately be provided.
The Reporter concluded that the number of beds within a Class 7 hotel could not be controlled through the planning process. The appeal argues that conditions restricting the number of beds, pods and rooms containing pods could have been imposed and that without them there is no restriction on the development’s overall bed capacity.
Jocelyn Cunliffe, of the Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland, said: “This case raises a wider question about whether Scotland’s planning system is equipped to protect historic buildings and local communities when dealing with increasingly intensive uses.
“If the number of beds cannot be controlled through the planning process, it is reasonable to ask how the intensity of use of a historic building can be properly assessed and managed. That is an issue which goes far beyond Atholl Crescent.”
The appeal also raises questions about the assessment of the impact on nearby residents and refers to previous decisions involving much smaller short-term visitor accommodation proposals in the surrounding area.
It additionally argues that the Reporter considered the expired 2017-2022 World Heritage Site Management Plan rather than the current 2025-2035 plan, as well as raising questions over the assessment of infrastructure contributions towards Edinburgh’s tram network.
The Statutory Appeal asks the Court of Session to consider a series of questions of law, including whether the Reporter erred in law, failed to have regard to material considerations, failed to interpret development plan policy properly and whether the decision should be quashed.
South Edinburgh first: Next phase of tram network expansion agreed
Plans to extend Edinburgh’s tram network took another step forward today, with the immediate priority being the southern section of the route.
The Strategic Business Case (SBC) to build a new tram route, from Granton in the north to the Edinburgh Bioquarter in the south, was approved by the Transport and Environment Committee this afternoon (Thursday 10 September).
The next step will be to position the plans within the findings of SEStransit, a study for transport in the South East of Scotland region, which is expected to be delivered in the autumn of next year.
This work will also be aligned with the feasibility study on the potential reintroduction of passenger services on the South Suburban Railway line, currently being undertaken by Transport Scotland and Network Rail.
In prioritising the southern section of the route as a first phase, councillors were also clear on the need for further work to be done on taking trams from Granton to the city centre as part of a future phase of the project.
Advisory work on funding and financing options with the National Wealth Fund (NWF) will also continue, alongside a wider benefits realisation study for Trams to Newhaven, which is expected to be considered later this year.
Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Stephen Jenkinson said: “This is a key milestone in our ambition to expand Edinburgh’s tram network.
“Let’s not forget why we’re developing these plans. Edinburgh is the fastest growing city in Scotland, growing at twice the rate of Glasgow, in the fastest growing region in the country.
“Whilst this trend brings exciting opportunities, inward investment, and economic growth, it also presents real challenges on housing, education, and of course on our transport infrastructure. Doing nothing in the face of these significant issues is simply not an option.
“From our groundbreaking £1.3 billion development at Granton Waterfront, through to the city centre, our world-famous universities, cultural hubs, brilliant local businesses, new housing developments, hospitals and beyond – our overarching vision remains to effectively link the whole of Edinburgh, and the wider region, for the benefit of all.
“We only need to look at the success of the existing route and, in particular, Trams to Newhaven, and the new lease of life that this connection has breathed into communities across Leith and the north of the city, to see the potential.
“Whilst we’re prioritising the southern section of the planned expansion, I’m clear that the whole city should ultimately enjoy the many benefits of a truly integrated public transport system.
“One of the key questions around this project is rightly on funding. To progress not only to the next phase of the business case but potential future construction costs, we need to demonstrate clearly how our plans will positively impact our region and Scotland as a whole. While I’m in doubt that this is the case, it makes good sense to wait for the wider SEStransit study to conclude next year.
“To be clear, this is one of the most ambitious and forward-thinking schemes in the country and represents huge potential benefits not only for Edinburgh, but regionally and nationally.
“My focus remains on making the positive case for Edinburgh’s future and ensuring that we’re ready to meet the challenges ahead. We need to be bold and create a better, more sustainable and connected city, rather than putting our heads in the sand and hoping for the best.”
