Easter Drylaw Flood Management: Community consultation tomorrow

JOIN the AtkinsRealis team tomorrow (Friday 26 September) from 2pm to see the Concept Designs for improving flooding issues on Easter Drylaw Avenue and Easter Drylaw Drive.

The organisers say:

‘Currently, during high rainfall, this junction and surrounding homes experience flooding.

‘The objective of this project is to respond to the existing drainage challenges in the area by incorporating nature-based solutions.

‘Through the strategic use of planting, green spaces and Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS), the project will help to manage rainwater naturally by capturing surface water in an attenuation feature (Eh? – Ed).

‘This will helpslow water down from entering the sewage system, reducing pressure and lowering the risk of flooding on streets, footpaths, homes and gardens.

‘To ensure the project delivers a green community space suited to local aspirations, we would love to hear what you would like to see incorporated in this project.’

We’ll be on the corner of Easter Drylaw Avenue and Easter Drylaw Drive (foot of Easter Drylaw Bank) from 2pm.

Not going to be at home tomorrow? You can still get in touch with your thoughts or any questions at flood.management@edinburgh.gov.uk

Countdown to Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre’s birthday bash!

THREE DAYS TO GO!

Only THREE more days until Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre’s big 30th birthday party celebrations!

All are welcome whether you are 1 or 100, and most activities are FREE. And despite the saying, there’s even a free lunch 😁🤣 between 11.30-1.30!

Oh and did we mention the bouncy castle, apple juicing, drumming, puppet show, art workshops, bug hunt, Dr Bike fixing, footie, bake sale, tombola and prizes? Bring cash if you want to win something or buy some amazing jam or cakes!

Tummies Not Trash is also coming, so fill your boots 😉

See you there!

Appeal after cyclist assaulted on Blackhall cycle path 

Police are appealing for information and witnesses, following the serious assault of a cyclist on Blackhall Cycle Path, near to Davidson Mains.

The incident took place around 6.05pm on Tuesday, 2 September, 2025. The cyclist, a 46-year-old man, was cycling away from the Drylaw area on his green vintage-style Dutch bike.

The suspect was riding an offroad dirt bike and is described as white, around 5ft 10 and slim build, but their gender is unknown. They were wearing a black full-face helmet and black puffer jacket.

Detective Sergeant Rob Finch said: “We are appealing for anyone who was in the area or witnessed this attack to please come forward.

“Enquiries have established that two members of the public provided aid to the victim, so would ask them to contact police as soon as possible.

“Anyone with information should call 101, quoting incident 1961 of 3 September, 2025. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, if you wish to remain anonymous.”

Come and have your say about Drylaw Shopping Centre

DRYLAW SHOPPING CENTRE STREETSCAPE CONSULTATION

THURSDAY 4th SEPTEMBER from 4 – 7pm or respond ONLINE

We are progressing designs for improvements to the area surrounding the Drylaw Shopping Centre.

The proposals aim to address existing issues within the shopping centre, such as; sustainability, accessibility, car parking, vehicular movement, aesthetic appeal, sight lines and safety.

The Drylaw Shopping Centre forms part of the wider Drylaw and Telford Masterplan one of the 13 proposed improvement projects that aim to reimagine local streets and public spaces, making them healthier, more accessible, and nature-positive – while also tackling surface water and flooding challenges in the area.

To help refine the concept designs, we will be conducting a drop-in community and business engagement session at the Shopping Centre on the below date.

Please feel free to visit to give your views on the designs:

📍 Location: Next to Farmfoods at Drylaw Shopping Centre, 661 Ferry Road
📅 Date: Thursday 4th September 2025
🕚 Time: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Consultation Hub Online Survey:

In addition to the in person engagement, a survey for the project is now live on The City of Edinburgh Council’s Consultation Hub and will run until 8th October 2025.

Please find a link to the survey here and to find out more: 

https://consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/sfc/drylaw-consultation/

Tram Extension consultation opens

CITY COUNCIL SEEKS VIEWS ON TRAM EXTENSION PLANS

A ‘major public consultation’ on the future development of Edinburgh’s tram network opened yesterday (25 August) and will run for 12 weeks.

The Council are seeking the public’s views on the proposed new tram routes from Granton in the north of the city to the Edinburgh BioQuarter and Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh in the south.

A detailed business case was developed to extend the existing route from Edinburgh Airport to Newhaven, which was successfully completed in 2023 and now carries over a million passengers a month.

This consultation will inform the development of a Strategic Business Case (SBC) for the expansion, which will then be presented to the Transport and Environment Committee in 2026.

The proposed new route can be broken down into three main sections:

GRANTON TO THE CITY CENTRE:

From Granton to Ferry Road / Crewe Toll there is a single route. From Ferry Road / Crewe Toll to the following section, two alternative route options are being considered: the Orchard Brae corridor or the Roseburn Path.

For Orchard Brae, the route would head to the west end of Princes Street along Orchard Brae, Queensferry Road (via the Dean Bridge) and Queensferry Street.  

It is estimated that this option would cost between £650m – £850m and is forecast to carry around 3.75m passengers per annum by 2042.

For Roseburn Path, the route connects to the existing line west of Haymarket via an old railway line which winds from Ferry Road/Crewe Toll before reaching Craigleith and heading towards the west end and city centre.

This option is estimated to cost between £350m-£480m and is forecast to carry around 4.25m passengers per annum by 2042.

In February 2024, the Roseburn Path was initially identified as the preferred route, however Transport and Environment Committee instructed that the consultation should present objectively the pros and cons of both the Roseburn and Orchard Brae routes.

It also examines the potential to install high quality walking, wheeling and cycling alongside the tramline on the Roseburn Path, and look at the potential to protect and enhance the local ecological network.

The entire route is forecast to cost between £2bn-2.9bn, depending on the final options selected, and carry around 38m passengers by 2042.

CITY CENTRE TO BIOQUARTER & ROYAL INFIRMARY

The proposed route would begin at Princes Street on the existing tram infrastructure, allowing bus and rail interchange in the heart of the city centre.

The route would then cross the North Bridge, and run through Nicolson Street, Newington and on to Cameron Toll, then west towards the BioQuarter and Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.

POTENTIAL EXTENSIONS TO MIDLOTHIAN and EAST LOTHIAN

The city council is working closely with Midlothian and East Lothian Councils and SEStran, the regional transport partnership, regarding potential future mass transit connections beyond the BioQuarter and Royal Infirmary.

This includes exploring a ‘tram-train’ (a light rail vehicle than can operate on tram and rail tracks) concept with Network Rail on the old Edinburgh South Suburban Railway (ESSR).

Other potential options include connections with Musselburgh Railway station and Queen Margaret University (QMU) in East Lothian and to Shawfair with interchange opportunities into Midlothian and the Scottish Borders.

Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Stephen Jenkinson said:I’m pleased that we’ve reached this key stage for extending our multi award-winning tram service.

“We need to prepare for the future. Edinburgh is the fastest growing city in Scotland, with more than 60,000 new residents expected over the next 20 years. Whilst this shift is a true sign of our success, it brings real pressure on our communities, and crucially on the city’s transport infrastructure on which we all rely.

“Managing this growth also means tackling the climate, nature and housing emergencies. To meet these significant challenges, we need to look for bold and ambitious solutions and the tram extension is central to this.

“Edinburgh Trams already offers a reliable and fast service, allowing residents and visitors to move around sustainably and efficiently, and with some of the cheapest fares in the country. The broader benefits of cleaner air and emphasis on active travel surrounding the network are equally as important.

“Our overarching vision is to truly link our city for the benefit of all. From our flagship £1.3bn 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 transport network must move with the times.

“The new developments we will see along the tram route will be key to Edinburgh’s prosperity for generations to come.

“I’d encourage everyone to engage with this consultation and help to shape the next chapter in the history of Edinburgh’s transport.”

The full details of all the sections mentioned above can be found in the consultation papers.

Residents can give their views until 17 November online on the Consultation Hub or at in person drop-in sessions. Details of these sessions are also on our Consultation Hub.

The next step, should members agree on the SBC, would be to move to the next stage of development, as set out by Transport Scotland, which is the OBC.  

DROP-IN SESSIONS

No drop-in currently planned for Drylaw? – Ed.

Something for everyone at Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre

WEEKLY PROGRAMME AT DRYLAW NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE

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Check out our action packed sessions currently on offer at Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre!

Many sessions are free and other classes are a two or three quid.

If you have any queries, email coordinator@drylawnc.org.uk.

Remember we also have the Community Larder, Mon, Weds, Fri 10-11 each week.

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AND DON’T FORGET …

Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre gets set to celebrate 30th Birthday

ALL WELCOME AT DRYLAW’s BIG BIRTHDAY BASH!

We are gearing up for our big party day in only 4 weeks!

We have so much planned for the day and can’t wait to have you all there 🎉

Lunch provided by Scran Academy, Bookbug session, Moving Music drumming circle, National Galleries of Scotland art session, Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equality Council (ELREC) Dr Bike and bike activities (make your own bike-powered smoothie!), Tinderbox Collective are here with their Escape Drylaw game for you to try, Tummies Not Trash will be here with a food stall.

Not to mention fun activities in the garden, face painting and henna tattoos, a bake sale, puppet shows, apple pressing, our famous tombola, and amazing raffle with locally donated prizes… And yes, there is a bouncy castle!!!

Don’t miss out on all the fun on Saturday 13th September! 🤩

Family Fun at Easter Drylaw orchard tomorrow

Fancy a bit of family fun in the Drylaw secret orchard this Wednesday? Come along for a free outdoor activity session with Paul our gardener and Alia our youth worker.

There will be snacks, drinks, craft, gardening, and tree care going on in a relaxed and informal setting within the beautiful orchard on Easter Drylaw Avenue.

📆 Wednesday 6th August

⌚️ 10.30 meet at Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre

OR: 10.45 meet at East Orchard, between 6 and 8 Easter Drylaw Avenue.

🎨 Nature craft and gardening activities. Relaxed and friendly staff.

FREE! Please bring sunhats, water bottles and suncream- it’s going to be warm!

Have your say on ‘improvements’ to green space in Easter Drylaw Gardens

THURSDAY 31 JULY from 4.30 – 6pm at DRYLAW NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE

Come along to Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre this next Thursday to share your views and ideas for the Easter Drylaw Gardens’ Greenspace!