Community Tree Care Day
Granton Crescent Park
Wednesday 28th February 2024
Drop in from 10.00am to 12 noon
Come and join us for some tree care and learn more about the ‘Wee Forest’. Tree saplings have a greater chance of survival with some weeding and care.
We recommend sturdy footwear. No special equipment or experience necessary. We will provide you with gloves and any tools you need.
For more info email: Kate@elgt.org.uk or phone: 0131 4454025
Just a reminder that we are now looking for donations for our Big Swap event at St Martin’s Community Resource Centre, Edinburgh, which will take place on Saturday 2nd March.
Big Swap is a big FREE giveaway of all preloved items including clothes, shoes, household items, books, toys etc.
At the moment, at Granton Parish Church, Edinburgh we are accepting the following donations until Thursday 29/02:
– good condition household items,
-men and teenager clothes and shoes.
All donated items must be CLEAN and in GOOD, WORKING CONDITION.
Any questions-email: anna@grantongoesgreener.org.uk
INFORMATION SESSIONS TOMORROW AND MONDAY
It’s no secret that we like a wee warble in Granton Library, whether it’s Bookbug, Library Link or just a pom pom pom behind the desk.
We decided to make a thing of it, and we have some songbooks to bring out, so why not join us and make a terrible noise in good company?
Everyone is welcome (and it may also suit people who have dementia with their carers; let us know if there’s anything we can do to open this up for you).
There will be absolutely no attempts to be good. At the moment it’s just a one-off but who knows?
La la la….
We would like to get your thoughts and ideas for a new mural at the entrance to Speirs Bruce Way on the corrugated iron fence at Granton Castle Walled Garden. We are in the process of commissioning an artist to carry out the work, with guidance from people in the community.
The mural will be painted onto boards and mounted on fencing in a similar manner to the existing mural further along the wall on the same path. It is being organised by granton:hub, who have been awarded funding by ArtRoots/Sustrans.
The mural is to reflect the history and culture of the local area and so we would like to find out what people from Granton would want to see captured in the mural. If you’d like to let us know your thoughts and ideas please fill the form, link below, at our link in bio or on our websitem It should only take about 5 minutes (depending on how many thoughts and ideas you have of course!)
Our website:
https://www.grantonhub.org/…/we-want-to-hear-your…
Survey link:
THURSDAY 8th FEBRUARY at 11am
Our next ‘Supporting your child in grief’ session takes place on Thursday 8th February at 11am.
The session offers an opportunity for you to join other parents and carers to talk, share feelings and connect with one another. You can simply say it how it is, seek advice and hopefully pick up some tips from each other.
Register for free today at https://bit.ly/48YWWf1
A fourth person has been arrested and charged in connection with the death of a 38-year-old man in Granton.
Emergency services were called around 11.50pm on Sunday, 31 December, 2023, after a firearm was discharged in West Granton Road.
Two men, aged 38 and 39, were taken to hospital. The 38-year-old man, Marc Webley, was pronounced dead a short time later.
A 20-year-old man has now been arrested and charged in connection with the incident. He is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court tomorrow -Friday, 2 February, 2024.
A 32-year-old man and 25-year-old woman have previously been arrested and charged in connection with the incident. Both appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday, 8 January, 2024.
A 33-year-old woman was also arrested and charged in connection with the incident. She was released pending further enquiries.
Our first Afternoon Tea was a resounding success last Friday, and spaces are filling up for the next one! So much so that we’ve added a new date on Saturday 17th February!
These delicious teas are made by our chefs in house, and as well as being a delicious treat to brighten up any weekend, they also raise funds for the Hospice!
You can book yours today by emailing iona@stcolumbashospice.org.uk , booking in person in the Iona Cafe, or by going to our online shop!
More than 1,300 residents of new housing development on Granton’s waterfront expected to benefit from access to residential cycle storage
A major new mixed tenure housing development at Granton waterfront is set to benefit from dedicated, secure cycle storage, supporting more than 1,300 future residents to travel by bike more easily.
Secure cycle storage is to be provided at locations across the development, at Western Villages, Granton Gas Holder, Waterfront Avenue and Silverlea.
The City of Edinburgh Council project aims to help more people choose cycling as an affordable and sustainable way of travel for everyday journeys, and has been developed in partnership with the nation’s cycling charity, Cycling Scotland and supported by Transport Scotland grant funding.
Having nowhere safe or convenient to store a bike is a big barrier to cycling, with Cycling Scotland research showing that a third of Scottish households are likely to be living in accommodation without access to suitable cycle storage.
In total, supported projects are estimated to benefit 160,000 people by providing better access to secure cycle storage and parking where they live across Scotland: from new on-street cycle storage in Dundee, to storage for residents of high-rise properties in Aberdeen, through to bike parking at rural bus stops in Perth and Kinross.
Katharine Brough, Head of Grant Funding & Partnerships, at Cycling Scotland, said: “It’s been so positive to work in partnership with local authorities to increase access to essential, secure residential cycle storage across Scotland.
“Each of these projects will have a real impact in making cycling more accessible, helping more people to choose an affordable and sustainable way to travel for everyday journeys.
“As well as having storage at home, bike storage at key destinations where people work, shop and connect to public transport is vital in supporting more people to cycle, and helping tackle the climate emergency, health crisis and transport poverty.”
City of Edinburgh Council’s Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Scott Arthur, said: “The regeneration of Granton Waterfront will be transformative for that part of the city, opening up new sustainable homes, commercial opportunities and leisure and cultural offerings.
“It’s essential that we fully integrate sustainable, accessible travel into this. First class public transport links will be at the heart of this community, and this will be complemented with high quality active travel infrastructure.
“Providing secure cycle storage is essential for supporting people to consider cycling, and thanks to Cycling Scotland we’re going to be able to deliver hundreds of spaces throughout the area. This will connect residents and visitors to newly-upgraded cycle infrastructure connecting with the city centre and beyond.”
Case study: The impact of new on-street cycle storage in Dundee
Newly installed on-street cycle storage units in Dundee are helping make it easier for more people to travel by bike for everyday journeys across the city.
Nick Toner, a community development worker and resident of Blackness, Dundee, has found his new on-street bike storage space has made a big difference to how he travels around the city:
“Having the bike storage space has removed a mental and physical barrier for me. Just facing the idea of looking for somewhere safe to store my bike and lock it up, it was such a hassle. But now I come to work, and I have a parking spot nearby. It’s so much more convenient and it’s given me the freedom to use my bike to get around the city more often.”
Martim Mas, a resident of Stobswell, Dundee, cites his storage space as enabling him to combine cycling with public transport to travel to work: “I actually got my bike after I got my storage, because I had no space in my flat. I would’ve had to keep it inside and there was just no space.
“I use my bike now to cycle to the bus station, then to work at St Andrews. My bike is my main mode of transport across the city. Having this storage space is super convenient for me, and it’s good to know I can leave my bike there and it will be safe.
A public consultation will help inform the Strategic Business Case for a tram route from Granton to the BioQuarter and beyond, if approved by councillors next week.
On Thursday (1 February) Transport and Environment Committee will hear about a recommended north – south tram line, which would extend the existing network between the Airport and Newhaven.
This would run through the city centre via Roseburn then on to North and South Bridge, Clerk Street and Minto Street to Cameron Toll, before following the A7 to the BioQuarter. Further consideration is being given to potential future routes into neighbouring local authorities.
If members agree to proceed, a 12-week consultation in spring 2024 would show participants the recommended route across the four sections (Granton – City Centre; through the City Centre; City Centre – BioQuarter; and BioQuarter and beyond) and explain why it has been chosen. It will include details of alternative options that have been explored and the reasons why these have been discounted.
Engagement builds on a consultation on the City Mobility Plan (CMP) in 2020/21, which found that 62% of respondents would like to see tram network expanded, and 89% desired general improvements to public transport. Exploring the expansion of the tram network is outlined in the CMP and supports aims to both reduce car kms travelled by 30% and become a net zero city by 2030.
Future plans would build on the success of Trams to Newhaven, which was completed on time in June 2023, and has contributed to the award-winning Edinburgh Trams service carrying more than 9 million passengers in the last year.
Councillor Scott Arthur, Transport and Environment Convener, said: “Like cities around the world we’re challenged by poor air quality, congestion and carbon emissions relating to transport.
“This, paired with a rapidly increasing population – projected to grow at three times the rate of Scotland’s – demonstrates the pressing need to rethink the way we move people and goods around the Capital.
“By improving public transport, we want to provide safe, efficient and affordable travel in Edinburgh, and expanding the tram network is key to this. It’s clear that the public support it too, with almost two-thirds of respondents to our CMP consultation in favour of more tram routes. Of course, we know how disruptive a project of this scale can be to residents and businesses, but the success of the recently completed line to Newhaven is proof that we’re well prepared.
“Our recommended route for Granton to the BioQuarter and beyond links key areas of growth and development to the city and will more than double the capacity of our tram network. Not only would this support local regeneration and the delivery of much-needed affordable homes, but it would help create new jobs, boost economic growth and link to educational and cultural venues along the route.
“We’re already engaging with Transport Scotland to explore financial options, and it’s encouraging that mass rapid transit in the area has been highlighted as an investment priority by the Scottish Government. We’ll continue to work closely with them and other stakeholders as we look to progress this major project.
In addition to local policies, The Scottish Government National Transport Strategy (NTS) and Transport Scotland’s Strategic Transport Projects Review 2 (STPR2) have highlighted Edinburgh and South-East Scotland Mass Transit as an investment priority.
“Alongside the existing line between the Airport and Newhaven, a Granton to BioQuarter tram service would also improve transport links to four priority investment zones identified in the City Plan 2030 – Waterfront, West Edinburgh, City Centre, and South-East Edinburgh – connecting major development sites, employment centres, retail hubs and educational facilities.”
If approved, the public consultation will run in spring 2024 and feedback received, along with a draft Strategic Business Case, would be reported to committee in autumn.
Tram from Granton to BioQuarter and Beyond: Consultation for Strategic Business Case Development, is being presented to committee as part of a package of reports looking to the future of transport in Edinburgh.
This includes: Our Future Streets – a circulation plan for Edinburgh, a framework for the design of all future projects to improve Edinburgh’s streets; West Edinburgh Transport Improvements Programme, which explores a series of improvements to the A8 corridor as a priority; and the first review of the City Mobility Plan.
Read the full report online and watch Transport and Environment Committee live via webcast from 10am on 1 February.
‘A LITANY OF AVOIDABLE FAILURES’ – Read the Edinburgh Trams Report
