Category: city centre

New plan unveiled for city’s UNESCO World Heritage Site

A new plan for Edinburgh’s Old and New Towns World Heritage Site was launched yesterday. It includes commitments to improve the quality of new development, better manage tourism growth, and deepen residents’ awareness and understanding of the site among other actions.

Continue reading New plan unveiled for city’s UNESCO World Heritage Site

IRONKIDS comes to Edinburgh

3000 young Scots get set to take part in global running series

THE organisers of IRONMAN 70.3 Edinburgh, Scotland’s biggest triathlon which takes place on Sunday 1 July, have launched IRONKIDS Scotland, a series of three fun and family-focused running events for young people aged three to 14. Continue reading IRONKIDS comes to Edinburgh

Lights out at City Chambers on Saturday

On Saturday, the City of Edinburgh Council will once again demonstrate their commitment to action on climate change, joining WWF Scotland for the planet’s biggest environmental event. Following the unprecedented success of Earth Hour 2017, the Council will join millions of people from 187 countries around the world in switching off their City Chambers lights for one hour on Saturday 24 March at 8.30pm. Continue reading Lights out at City Chambers on Saturday

£22 million to repair North Bridge

Edinburgh’s historic North Bridge is set to undergo a major programme of refurbishment, subject to committee approval. A series of structural repairs will help safeguard the long-term use of the Grade A-listed bridge, built in 1896, as a vital city centre link between the Old and New Towns.
On Thursday, members of the Transport and Environment Committee will consider proposals for the £22m project, which would include steelwork repairs, repainting and repair of the cast iron façade and the replacement of joints across the bridge.
The project will benefit from £10m funding approved in the 2018/19 budget, set by Council on Thursday, 22 February, adding to an existing £12m allocated under the Capital Investment Programme 2018-2023.
The repairs will inevitably mean more travel disruption across the city centre.
Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Lesley Macinnes, said: “This historic bridge is a familiar and much-loved focal point in the city centre, and it’s clear that it requires some much-needed restoration. I am delighted that, thanks to prudent financial management, we will be able to progress with a series of repairs, ensuring the longevity of this iconic structure.”
Inspections to North Bridge carried out in 2014 identified a number of defects, resulting in the removal of loose material and installation of netting to make the underside of the bridge safe. Assessments have confirmed that there has been no impact on the bridge’s load carrying capacity.
A major contractor with experience of similar projects was engaged early in the process in light of the complexity of the scheme, which is due to the bridge’s location over a working railway station. The contractor was appointed through the National Civil Engineering and Infrastructure lot of the Scape Group Framework Agreement.
If the scope of refurbishment works is approved by Transport and Environment Committee, the contract to deliver this will be considered by Finance and Resources Committee for approval, with the refurbishment expected to begin in the summer.
On Thursday, members will also hear about the potential for additional enhancements to public realm on the bridge, such as widened and decluttered footpaths and carriageway resurfacing.  Outline design work is currently underway for these improvements, taking into account the principles of the Central Edinburgh Transformation Project, for which funding is yet to be identified. Final proposals will be reported back to Transport and Environment Committee.
Read the full report, North Bridge Refurbishment, on the Council website and watch the Transport and Environment Committee live via webcast from 10am on Thursday.
Core Works to North Bridge
  • Structural steelwork repairs.
  • Grit blasting and repainting of the structural steelwork.
  • Repairs to the cast iron façades.
  • Grit blasting and repainting of the cast iron façades.
  • Repairs to the underside of the bridge’s concrete deck.
  • Improvements to the structural drainage systems.
  • Replacement of expansion joints.
  • Restoration of, and repairs to, the King’s Own Scottish Borderers War Memorial (located on the east plinth of the bridge’s south pier).
  • Installation of permanent platforms to improve access provisions for future inspection and minor maintenance.
  • All temporary scaffolding required to access the structure.

Suspicious package in Princes Street Gardens: Police seek public help

Police investigating the discovery of a suspicious package left in Princes Street Gardens six weeks ago, have made a fresh public appeal for information. Detectives are urging anyone with information or who witnessed anything suspicious in the Gardens on Thursday, January 11, 2018 to come forward. Continue reading Suspicious package in Princes Street Gardens: Police seek public help

Polish war hero memorial set for City Chambers

A Polish Second World War hero and his men are set to be honoured with a memorial bench to be placed in the courtyard at the entrance to the City of Edinburgh Council Chambers. A life-size image of General Stanislaw Maczek seated on the bench is hoped to be cast in bronze at a cost of £85,000 after a public appeal for donations. Continue reading Polish war hero memorial set for City Chambers

Life, The Universe and Everything: Edinburgh International Science Festival

Edinburgh International Science Festival: Life, The Universe and Everything

31 March – 15 April

Edinburgh’s 30th Science Festival will see 270 events for children, families and adults take place across the city over the course of two exciting weeks. And in a first this year, teachers ans their students are being offered a special £5 deal to eighty events through the new #SciFive initiative.  Continue reading Life, The Universe and Everything: Edinburgh International Science Festival