Category: Newhaven

The Heart of Newhaven looking for volunteers

The Heart of Newhaven Community has been working on using the Community Asset Transfer system to purchase the Victoria Primary School building after its pupils move to new premises.

The group has a vision of making the school building the centre of the community for everyone.

To achieve that, they need as much support as possible from the local community.

Heart of Newhaven are currently looking for volunteers to help deliver leaflets house to house. Could you take some for your area? If so, please go to the website and register your interest.

Visit their website and subscribe to the Newsletter to read more about what is planned and how you can get involved: heartofnewhaven.co.uk

Police appeal following local robberies

Police in Edinburgh are appealing for information after two robbery incidents took place in two convenience stores yesterday (Saturday, 4 July).

The first incident happened around 5.45pm at the Best One store on Bonnington Road. The suspect threatened the shop keeper with a knife and demanded money from the till. The shop keeper challenged the suspect who then left.

The second incident happened around 6.15pm at the Co-op store on McDonald Road. The suspect entered the store from the direction of Bonnington Road and threatened two members of staff with a knife, demanding money from the till. Around £200 worth of cash was stolen. Nobody was injured in either incident.

The suspect is described as male, in his twenties, around 6ft tall with black sunglasses and a black/grey snood only showing his eye line. He was wearing a slim fitted Nike top with a black Nike tick on the right chest and black cuffs looped over his thumbs.

He had a red/burgundy top underneath showing at the waistline, skinny blue Nike joggers, black running trainers, orange gloves and a black rucksack worn to the front of his body.

Detective Sergeant Steven Gray, of Gayfield CID, said: “We believe these incidents are linked and between speaking to the victims and watching CCTV, there is a good description of the suspect so we’re appealing to the public to help us.

“If anybody saw somebody matching this description on Bonnington Road or McDonald Road shortly before or after these incidents on Saturday, please contact us.”

Anyone with information should contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting incident number 2824 of 4 July, 2020.

Brand new brasserie back from the brink

AN AMBITIOUS new restaurant that launched just weeks before lockdown has come back from the brink – after its owner was told it was too new to qualify for grants and the furlough scheme.

Pier Brasserie, the £100K transformation of the former Prezzo site, within Newhaven’s prime former Fishmarket building, launched with much excitement and anticipation in February.

Within weeks it became clear that the spread of Covid-19 was set to devastate the sector along with the dreams of owner Mark Patonyi, one of city’s most esteemed restaurant managers, previously front of house at Martin Wishart’s The Honours, Manager of Martin Wishart at Loch Lomond and general manager of Steak Restaurant at Picardy Place.

Now, Mark, 36, alongside head chef and friend Vladimir Garcik and a team of two, has opened a take away offering, enabling foodies to sample high-quality bistro dishes while taking in the views of Newhaven lighthouse and the bridges, from the harbour.

The father of one, who moved to the UK from Hungary in 2007, said: “It may sound cliché, but 2020 has been an unbelievable rollercoaster of emotions.

“From the highs of our amazing opening – and those initial few weeks which saw us packed out – everything came crashing down.

“It looked like we would never be able to recover – and it has been heart-breaking that we can’t even offer our team the small comfort of furlough, as we’re so new we didn’t receive our PAYE reference number until after the 19 March cut-off date.

“We’re still doing everything we can to appeal that, as it just feels so unfair. As a new business we’ve not had any chance of building up cash reserves.

“Up until a few weeks ago it didn’t seem feasible that we could launch a take-away offering, but it got to the point I couldn’t sit around and wait for my fate any longer.”

He has subsequently launched a carefully selected menu utilising the best local and Scottish produce, including seafood landed in the harbour and meat from Donald Russell butchers. Included in the menu will be ciabattas, fish and chips, burgers, salads and desserts – as well as few options available each day for children.

Mark added: “The menu is an honest reflection of the food we were serving in the restaurant prior to lockdown – and easily enjoyed outside or at home.

“We’ve put in place all safety precautions too and had the team practice everything rigorously to ensure we can do this in the safest possible way. It gives us a chance to safely gear up to a potential part-opening in weeks, depending on how guidelines change.

“I also want to give a huge thanks to those that have offered kind messages during lockdown, knowing the situation we’re in.”

Ahead of the February launch Mark had been at the heart of the £100,000+ transformation of the site, project managing each process to ensure they meet his exceptionally high standards – as well as hand-picking a 15-strong team.

For more information about Pier Brasserie or to get first sight of the new menu when it launches, visit: https://www.pierbrasserie.com/ or follow us on Facebook @pierbrasserie and Instagram @pierbrasserie

Carry On Tramworks!

Construction site preparation works for Edinburgh’s Trams to Newhaven project will restart tomorrow (Monday, 1 June) in line with the Scottish Government’s Phase 1 pre-start site preparation.

Work on the project was stopped at the end of March to comply with Scottish Government guidance and to protect the safety of workers and residents during the coronavirus outbreak.

Following the First Minister’s announcement on 21 May of a phased return for construction sites, plans have been drawn up in line with Scottish Government safety guidelines and industry best practice to ensure the safety of workers and the public. At a briefing on Thursday the First Minister confirmed that site preparation could begin.

In advance of the main work beginning, works to prepare construction sites and project offices will include the introduction of infection control stations, additional water stations and toilet facilities for workers within the site and in the project office, and ensuring all office workspaces and facilities are set up appropriately.

Other works on site will include the removal of the protective in-fill material that was used to ensure the work site remained safe and protected during the shutdown.

Measures to protect workers’ health will include daily briefings, continuous on-site inspections and health and safety ‘ambassadors’. The numbers of workers on-site will be kept to a minimum and the majority of project office staff will continue to work from home.

Council Leader Adam McVey said: “Following updated advice from the Scottish Government, we will be carrying out site preparatory works on the Trams to Newhaven project from Monday, 1 June.

“The safety of workers and the public is of utmost importance during this time and all works will be undertaken in compliance with the Government’s guidance on construction working and to allow physical distancing.

“The tram team have put in an enormous amount of hard work with our contractors to take us through this challenging period and it will take some time to fully remobilise sites. The implications of COVID-19 are unlikely to be understood for some time but we continue to work to mitigate the impact as we progress with the project.”

Depute Leader Cammy Day said: “The Trams to Newhaven project is being delivered for the future of our city and is one of a number of schemes that are crucial to the sustainable, long-term development of the city, helping decarbonise the way we travel.

It is exactly the kind of investment we need post-COVID-19 to ensure Edinburgh is a thriving, forward-looking place for people to live and work in and will help to encourage much needed affordable housing, jobs and investment into North Edinburgh.”

Alejandro Mendoza Monfort, Director of Sacyr Farrans Neopul, the main infrastructure contractor, said: “SFN are delighted that we can restart our works on the Trams to Newhaven project. We understand the importance that this project will have for Edinburgh’s future and are committed to ensuring that we continue to mitigate the impact of Coronavirus 19. During this pause period, concentrated efforts have continued behind the scenes to develop and test a series of robust systems and procedures, whilst ensuring the highest level of health, safety and wellbeing can be provided.

“We have used this time to adapt to our new working world and developed new operating procedures that provide information, guidance and site-specific measures that will be implemented when conducting works to mitigate the impact, so far as reasonably practicable, of the virus.”

Mike Thomson, Director of Morrison Utility Services, said: “We are very pleased to be able to begin to prepare to restart this important project for Edinburgh.

” The safety of colleagues and the public is paramount and MUS has been working closely with the City of Edinburgh Council and SFN to ensure that our working practices are fully compliant with the guidance given by the Scottish Government, while also looking at ways in which we can mitigate the impact of the recent enforced shutdown.”

Once the construction industry is given the approval to move to Phase 2, works on the existing sites will recommence and the Leith Walk construction site will be established as planned prior to site shutdown.

Any commencement of main works will be subject to the Scottish Government giving approval to move to Phase 2 of their construction guidelines which states: ‘soft start to site works (only where physical distancing can be maintained)’.

The project team has been working on plans to mitigate the impact of the enforced shutdown as a result of COVID-19 on the programme and budget. Despite the current circumstances, the project continues to operate within its £207.3m budget. The project is paid for by borrowing monies that are repaid over a 30-year period through future revenues from customers.

While work on the latest phase of the Edinburgh tram project gets back underway, SIX YEARS ON there’s still no sign of a long-awaited report on the shambolic first phase.

The Edinburgh Tram Inquiry was commissioned by Scottish Ministers and in June 2014, the Inquiry was formally announced by then First Minister Alex Salmond. The Inquiry is chaired by Lord Hardie.

The Edinburgh Tram Inquiry aims to establish why the Edinburgh Tram project incurred delays, cost more than originally budgeted and through reductions in scope delivered significantly less than projected.

The official terms of reference for the Inquiry are to:

  • Inquire into the delivery of the Edinburgh Tram project (‘the project’), from proposals for the project emerging to its completion, including the procurement and contract preparation, its governance, project management and delivery structures, and oversight of the relevant contracts, in order to establish why the project incurred delays, cost considerably more than originally budgeted for and delivered significantly less than was projected through reductions in scope.
  • Examine the consequences of the failure to deliver the project in the time, within the budget and to the extent projected.
  • Review the circumstances surrounding the project as necessary, in order to report to the Scottish Ministers making recommendations as to how major tram and light rail infrastructure projects of a similar nature might avoid such failures in future.

 

 

Planning application submitted for Build-to-Rent development on Bonnington Road Lane

A planning application for the development of high-quality Build-to-Rent (BTR) accommodation has been submitted by property developer and operator, PLATFORM_.

Located at the site of the derelict John Lewis depot/warehouse, Edinburgh, the proposals seek to introduce a high-quality BTR scheme at the heart of Edinburgh with 527 units. PLATFORM_ funds and ultimately manage a finished building with a desire and vested interest to produce a quality development.

Build-to-Rent (BTR) is a relatively recent model for new residential buildings in the UK, where all the properties are built for rent, not for sale.

PLATFORM_’s model represents an affordable and integrated offering where residents live not just in their apartments but can use the entirety of the building equipped with a gym, communal workspaces, bike club and a fulltime concierge service.

Across the UK currently, PLATFORM_ developments are home to residents with an age range between 19-66 years. Nearly 60% of successful applicants within PLATFORM_ schemes earned less than £30,000 per annum, and the median salary of a PLATFORM_ resident is £29,510. 12% were classified as key workers, including teachers, police officers, and NHS staff. The median full-time salary in Edinburgh is £32,182.

The new homes will be a mix of studios, one, two, and three-bedroom apartments spread across three blocks ranging from 4 to 7 storeys. All PLATFORM_ units are available to rent, meaning that less are used as second homes or remain unoccupied, and in turn, more homes are available for people to rent.

jmarchitects worked on the scheme, and the planning consultants were Turley. Engineers were Harley Haddow; landscape architects were Hirst, cost consultants were Thomas & Adamson.

Matt Willock, Development Director at PLATFORM_, said: “We’re thrilled to submit this application for our BTR scheme in Edinburgh. Bonnington Road Lane is an ideal location to spearhead PLATFORM_’s vision in Edinburgh. 

“Not only will we develop the site, but we will operate the building. Our residents may rent an apartment, but will also have an abundance of common amenities at their disposal, including a gym, communal workspaces, a bike club, and rooftop gardens.”

“These proposals not only serve to redevelop a vital location, but help to tackle Edinburgh’s crisis in realistic housing, especially in Edinburgh city centre. BTR is a new, upward trend that offers high-quality rented accommodation at competitive prices for a wide-ranging demographic. Across the UK, nearly 60 per cent of our residents earn less than £30,000 a year.

“We’ve consulted widely and diligently with stakeholders in Edinburgh and the public in Leith to ensure they’ve had an opportunity to input their views about the proposals. The plans represent a collaborative discussion about how best to make this site work.”

Trams construction work to halt

Construction on Edinburgh’s Trams to Newhaven project will stop this week to protect the safety of workers and residents during the current coronavirus outbreak.

The Council’s decision to instruct contractors Morrison Utility Services (MUS) and Sacyr Farrans Neopul (SFN) to cease site works follows advice from Scotland’s First Minister that all construction sites should close, unless the project being delivered is essential.

SFN and MUS will make sites on Leith Walk, Constitution Street, Lindsay Road and Ocean Drive safe by the end of the week before shutting down. This time is required given the complex nature of the project. Following on from shutdown there will be contractors on site as necessary for safety and security checks, in line with current social distancing guidance.

Work will continue off-site, again operating to strict social distancing guidelines, including design, planning and scheduling, as well as drawing up a remobilisation strategy for returning to the site once restrictions are lifted. The project team will also be closely liaising with MUS and SFN to look at ways of mitigating the impact of work stopping on the wider project.

Council Leader Adam McVey said: “The health and wellbeing of workers delivering key infrastructure schemes like Trams to Newhaven – and those who live nearby – is of utmost importance to us, which is why we’ve been working with contractors, to halt work since the Scottish Government guidance was issued.

“Of course, this will impact on the wider project, but nothing is more important than the public’s safety. We will, of course, be working with contractors to mitigate the impact of these necessary actions and carefully planning our strategy for returning to the site once restrictions are lifted.

Depute Leader Cammy Day said: “We’ve listened to national advice and the message is clear – we must limit our interactions with others during this crucial period. This is a major decision, and we remain committed to delivering the tram to Newhaven, but right now it is absolutely necessary if we are to limit the impact of coronavirus on the city and country as a whole.

“We are making every effort to protect the public while delivering core services and I would encourage people to do their own bit by observing rules on social distancing and looking out for one another where possible.”

SFN Project Director Alejandro Mendoza said: “We fully back the decision and guidance from the Government this week to shut down construction sites during this period of great uncertainty.

“These are extremely challenging and concerning times for all and we will do what is necessary for our staff and the public to help stop the spread of this virus.

MUS Project Director Mike Thomson said: “The health of our staff, and the residents and businesses in the local community, is our number one priority so we understand and support the decision to temporarily stop work.

“We will be working hard over the next few days to make the site safe and secure for the shut down period.”

While traffic management due to be installed on Leith Walk on 28 March will be postponed, existing traffic management on Constitution Street, Lindsay Road and Ocean Drive will remain.

Safety and security checks following shutdown will include, but will not be limited to, fenced-off worksites, traffic management signage, diversion routes, logistics hubs and the main compound and satellite offices. This will be in line with current social distancing guidance.

Logistics hubs on Mitchell Street will also close. The project’s contact centre will remain operational for any queries.

Other major infrastructure schemes being carried out by the Council across Edinburgh are currently under urgent review in light of UK and Scottish Government guidance, with updates to follow.

Several service changes have been implemented by the Council this week to help limit the impact of the coronavirus outbreak in Edinburgh. These include the suspension of pay and display parking charges, closing play parks and games areas and establishing Local Critical Resilience Centres.

Further information on services, support and how to report any concerns can be found on the Council website. If you’re experiencing an emergency or critical situation, please call 0131 200 2000.

Find out more about Trams to Newhaven online.

Pennywell up for RICS Social Impact Award

  • RICS publishes shortlist of developments which are transforming the everyday lives of residents
  • 35 schemes across nine award categories have been nominated from Shetland to Dumfries
  • Winners to be announced in April

RICS (Royal Institution for Chartered Surveyors) in Scotland are set to vote on a shortlist 35 construction projects to mark their role in transforming communities and the everyday lives of people.

Published this week, the shortlisted construction schemes include ELEVEN from Edinburgh, including Pennywell Phase 2 (residential), Edinburgh Printmakers (heritage, leisure),  King’s Stables Road (commercial) (above) and Ciaran’s House, CLIC Sargent Home from Home (healthcare).

Announcing its support for the Prince’s Trust to help more young people take up careers in property, the awards mark the impact of construction on communities across the country – with voting to take place ahead of the RICS Scotland ceremony on 23 April.

A UK grand final will be held later in September for those successfully nominated from each region – with property expert David Brooks Wilson leading a panel of guest judges to select those projects worthy of the top award.

Matthew Howell, RICS UK Managing Director, said: “The real estate industry plays a vital role in Scotland, and our refreshed awards celebrates the positive impact that our professionals can have on people’s lives and the best of what is built.

“This year’s shortlist features some of the best talent in our profession, and the new Social Impact Awards recognises the significant value these projects have brought to the communities around them.  The judges will have their work cut out deciding on who gets the top award with so many top projects involved.

“I’m also delighted to be supporting The Prince’s Trust in getting young people into construction.  Our shortlists, showcase projects which have been turning people’s lives around, whether that’s through apprenticeships for young people, rehabilitating ex-offenders or regenerating towns and cities to make them more inclusive, and we hope that promoting these will encourage more talent into a profession that can really make a difference.” 

Chair of the award judging panel David Brooks Wilson said: “The real estate sector is an important part of the economy, and this year’s shortlist shows the power of built environment professionals to make a positive impact on society and our communities.

“It features the breadth of work and contributions that our professionals and wider industry make and the difference this profession can make.”  

The awards are divided into nine award categories to include the best examples of development in the commercial, education, healthcare, heritage, infrastructure, land & rural, leisure, residential and student accommodation sectors – with an overall winner also due to be announced.

RICS Social Impact Awards – Scotland Shortlist 2020

Project                                                Region                                      Categories

4 North                                                Edinburgh                                Commercial
Aberdeen Art Gallery                          Aberdeen                                Heritage
Baird’s Close Two                               Edinburgh                                Student Accommodation
Bertha Park High School:  A new
school for a new community               Perth                                       Education
Ciaran’s House – CLIC Sargent
Home from Home                               Edinburgh                                Healthcare
Collective, Caltonhill                           Edinburgh                                Leisure
Cunningham House                            Glasgow                                  Residential
Cupar Burgh Chambers                     Cupar                                      Heritage
Dundee Regional Performance
Centre for Sport                                  Dundee                                   Leisure
Edinburgh Printmakers                       Edinburgh                                Heritage, Leisure
Gairloch Museum                                Gairloch                                   Heritage, Leisure
Glenrothes Energy Network               Glenrothes                              Infrastructure
INTO Academic Centre                      Stirling                                     Education
Kelvinside Academy                           Glasgow                                  Education
Kirn Primary School                            Dunoon                                   Education
King’s Stables Road                           Edinburgh                                Commercial
Mixed-Use Development
National Centre for Children’s Literature
and Storytelling at Moat Brae             Dumfries                                  Heritage, Leisure
North Sighthill Regeneration              Edinburgh                                Residential
NGHA Offices                                     Glasgow                                  Commercial
Ochiltree Community Hub                  Ochiltree                                  Leisure
Panmure House – The Home
of Adam Smith                                    Edinburgh                                Heritage
Pennywell Phase 2                             Edinburgh                                Residential
Perth Transport Futures Project:
Phase 1 Crieff Road                           Perth                                       Infrastructure
Pittodrie Street Student Accommodation:
Getting it right for student living          Aberdeen                                Student Accommodation
Powell Hall & Whitehorn Hall             St Andrews                             Student Accomodaton
Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice Glasgow                                  Healthcare
Robroyston Railway Station               Glasgow                                  Infrastructure
Shawbridge Street                              Glasgow                                  Residential
TECA-creating a world-class
events and leisure complex                Aberdeen                                Commercial, Leisure
The Balfour                                         Orkney                                    Healthcare
The Fraser Centre                              Tranent                                    Leisure
The GRID Building                              Edinburgh                                Education
The Registers                                     Edinburgh                                Commercial
University of Glasgow Campus
Development                                       Glasgow                                  Education
Woodside Health and Care Centre    Glasgow                                  Healthcare

Newhaven’s newest brasserie offers exclusive discount for locals

AN EXCLUSIVE offer is set to put a Newhaven restaurant on the map as it welcomes in the neighbouring community after a successful launch.

Locals are in for a treat as Pier Brasserie will be giving 10% off the total bill to anyone who can prove that they are a resident in the EH5 and EH6 postcode area until 31 March.

Pier Brasserie’s visionary Mark Patonyi, one of the city’s most esteemed restaurant managers, overseen a £100,000+ transformation at the iconic site overlooking Newhaven Pier – a location fast becoming one of Edinburgh’s foodie destinations.

The promotion comes after a popular launch in February which saw VIP guests, influencers and journalists enjoy canapés, cocktails and live cooking demonstrations from Executive Chef Vladimir Garcik, formerly of Edinburgh’s Steak restaurant.

36-year-old owner, Mark Patonyi said: “It’s been a busy few weeks at Pier Brasserie since opening, although I have had very little sleep, I have loved every second of the process and it’s amazing to have finally opened our doors to guests, after what has been a long transformational project.

“To kick-start our opening we’re offering 10% off the bill to locals with the EH5 and EH6 postcode as our way of giving something back to the local community who have been so welcoming in our first few weeks.

“We hope our bar and grill can soon become a local gem in the community, for families, date-night drinks, and lovers of fine beers. We want to provide a welcoming spot for all, from vegans and vegetarians, to seafood lovers and steak aficionados.

“We are really lucky to have this striking location which makes for a really serene setting – we have already had our first proposal after only being open for two days which was a roaring success, and of course she said yes!

“Hopefully this discount will encourage more people down to this beautiful part of the city”.

Mark is inspired by the famous Newhaven fishwives that thronged the Pier Place building, which dates back to 1896. Famed for their sharp-tongues and quick wits, they established a strong, vibrant community.

He added: “We’re proud to use the finest Scottish ingredients which have been farmed, caught, raised or bred in Scotland and we’re passionate about supporting businesses in our local area.”

The new spot will fit in excess of 70 covers and has a separate bar area with the design focused around natural tones and exposed materials, creating a warm shelter from which to admire the expansive Forth.

A private dining area will also enable Pier Brasserie to take larger bookings for special occasions and corporate dinners.

For more information about Pier Brasserie or to book online visit: https://www.pierbrasserie.com/ or follow us on Facebook @pierbrasserie and Instagram @pierbrasserie

Leith Walk set for more diversions as tram work gathers pace

The main phase of construction work to take the trams to Newhaven will begin on Leith Walk next month. The city council says the construction strategy will ‘build on lessons learned to minimise disruption.’

The Trams to Newhaven project team, along with the Infrastructure and Systems Contractor (Sacyr, Farrans, Neopul JV) and Swept Path Contractor (Morrison Utility Services), has drawn on lessons learned from the first stage of the project, as well as good practice from other European cities, to develop a construction strategy.

This will involve Leith Walk being reduced to one city bound lane between London Road and Crown Place for the duration of the works, which will begin on 28 March and are scheduled to be completed by Summer 2021.

The team’s approach will involve the establishment of large work sites to allow both utility works and tramway construction to take place at the same time, resulting in fewer traffic management changes for those affected.

Sharing information with residents and businesses as the project progresses
Letters are being delivered to residents and businesses to share information on traffic management, bin collection arrangements, cycling access and diversions for bus services.

Logistics hubs will be set up along the street to help businesses with deliveries and dispatches, as well as residents expecting large deliveries. A Support for Business package has also been devised in consultation with local businesses.

The first phase of the project is already well underway on Constitution Street, where the excavation of the road is being carried out to allow utility diversions, tracklaying and the installation of tram infrastructure.

The city’s ruling SNP-Labour ‘Capital Coalition’ are united in their support of the next stage of the controversial trams project, despite huge pressure on council budgets. 

Last week the Capital Coalition voted through yet more cuts to essential council services. The Council will make required savings of £35m over the next 12 months and planned savings of around £87m over the next three years.

Transport and Environment Convener, SNP Councillor Lesley Macinnes, said: “We are about to reach a major milestone in the project to take the trams to Newhaven, as we prepare for the main phase of works on Leith Walk.

“We are already progressing well with the first phase of the project on Constitution Street and the Trams to Newhaven team have been working closely with contractors and transport operators to plan this next crucial stage.

“We will continue to engage with residents and businesses to keep them up-to-speed with plans as the project progresses.”

Transport and Environment Vice Convener, Labour Councillor Karen Doran added: “This is a transformational project for the city as a whole, but we’re aware of the particular impact this work will have on the people living nearby.

“That’s why our team has been making every effort to share information on the process, as well as providing support to adapt to the changes for residents and businesses.”

Construction schedule

Construction will begin on Leith Walk on Saturday, 28 March while additional work will begin along the route during March. Full details of ongoing work and work scheduled to begin this spring are:

London Road to Crown Place – starting 28 March 2020, scheduled to complete Autumn 2021

Ocean Drive – starting 13 March 2020, scheduled to complete Autumn 2020
Newhaven to Melrose Drive – starting 6 March 2020, scheduled to complete Summer 2021

Queen Charlotte Street to Constitution Place – ongoing, scheduled to complete Autumn 2020

Foot of the Walk to Coatfield Lane – ongoing, scheduled to complete by Spring 2021

The full construction programme can be accessed on the Trams to Newhaven website.

Traffic Management

Traffic management arrangements have been approved jointly with members of the city’s Traffic Management Review Panel, including Lothian Buses and the emergency services, and these will be in place from 28 March 2020. Access through the site will be maintained for emergency services at all times. Diversion routes and advanced warning signage will be erected in the vicinity for information.

During main construction works there will be no stopping or waiting at any time within the city bound running lane. Traffic management plans are available online.

Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times on both sides of Leith Walk. While current parking and loading will be suspended, temporary car parks will be provided on Leith Walk to ensure people can still visit the area to shop and go about their business.

Cycling

A bi-directional cycle lane on the west side of Leith Walk will be provided and maintained throughout the construction works. At times there will be local diversions to this lane in order to facilitate the works. These will be clearly sign posted as required.

Bus diversions

The project has liaised extensively with Lothian on the proposed traffic management to allow Lothian to develop their bus diversion route plans. Full details of bus diversions are available online.

Changes to Lothian’s network have been announced as work is set to begin Leith Walk for the next stage of the Trams to Newhaven project.

Read more here ➡️ https://bit.ly/37w3RM9

Leith Walk will see significant traffic management in place from 28 March 2020 for 18 months, with major diversions to all bus services in this area. Main services affected include the 7, 10, 11, 12, 14, 16, 22, 25 and 49.

Information on these changes will be available on-board buses, on our website and on social media.

Lothian encourages all customers – whether occasional users or regular commuters – to view these changes and plan accordingly if affected. Full information about route changes across the network can be viewed here ➡️ https://bit.ly/38AQbkf

The bus company said ‘We sincerely thank all customers for their understanding and patience while this work is carried out.’

Construction Works 

From 28 March to 11 April fencing will be erected in order to establish the construction site. Construction work will involve the excavation of the road to allow utility diversions, tracklaying, installation of tram infrastructure, public realm improvements and heritage and archaeology works.

The construction strategy, which involves large work sites being established to allow both utility works and tramway construction, means works can continue in the event of any problem being encountered during the period.

During construction, communal bins for Leith Walk will be situated at the nearest side street to the existing location. The regularity of uplifts will be increased to ensure the area is kept clean and tidy and uplifts will take place in the evening to minimise traffic in the area at peak times.

All post boxes will be removed from Leith Walk and returned once construction is completed.

The London Road roundabout clock and bronze pigeons will be refurbished and returned to an improved public realm at Elm Row, scheduled for completion Autumn 2021.

Supporting Local Businesses 

There will be a Support for Business package in operation, devised in consultation with businesses in the area, which will include a local voucher scheme, an ‘open for business’ campaign across a range of media and a business continuity fund. Full details can be found on the project website.

Logistics hubs to support Leith Walk businesses will be set up on Montgomery Street, Albert Street, Dalmeny Street and at the Foot of the Walk to help with deliveries and dispatches. These will also be the location for businesses presenting their trade waste. Help will be at hand via these logistics hubs for residents expecting large deliveries such as appliances or furniture too.

For further information visit www.tramstonewhaven.co.uk.

Alternatively the team can be emailed at Newhaven.tram@edinburgh.gov.uk.

While the inexorable construction process continues, it’s easy to forget that a public inquiry into the Edinburgh’s trams fiasco continues at a snail’s pace. It was launched in summer 2014 and there’s still no sign of it reporting any time soon.

The Inquiry,under former Lord Advocate Lord Hardie, aims to establish why the Edinburgh Tram project incurred delays, cost more than originally budgeted and, through reductions in scope, delivered significantly less than projected.

The official terms of reference for the Inquiry are to:

  • Inquire into the delivery of the Edinburgh Tram project (‘the project’), from proposals for the project emerging to its completion, including the procurement and contract preparation, its governance, project management and delivery structures, and oversight of the relevant contracts, in order to establish why the project incurred delays, cost considerably more than originally budgeted for and delivered significantly less than was projected through reductions in scope.
  • Examine the consequences of the failure to deliver the project in the time, within the budget and to the extent projected.
  • Review the circumstances surrounding the project as necessary, in order to report to the Scottish Ministers making recommendations as to how major tram and light rail infrastructure projects of a similar nature might avoid such failures in future.

The trams were five years late, £400 MILLION over budget and that was for a single line, not the promised network … it’s comforting to know that lessons have been learned!

Nothing can go wrong now …

 

We LOVE our community!

Scottish groups receive special National Lottery 25th birthday funding to bring their great community ideas to life 

  • Scottish projects are among the lucky recipients of The National Lottery’s special 25th birthday fund
  • Minishant Social and Leisure Club in Ayrshire, Kinellar Community Hall in Aberdeenshire and Friends of Starbank Park in Edinburgh are amongst the groups spreading love in their communities and bringing people together
  • #CelebrateNationalLottery25 invited applications from anyone with a great idea to make a difference in their local community

last year’s event at Starbank Park

The National Lottery is using Valentine’s Day to reveal some of the local champions who love their community so much that they applied for a special grant to do something positive locally – and were successful.

Over 200 projects in Scotland will receive money from the fund – called #CelebrateNationalLottery25 – after they applied to the £2 million pot last December. Among them is local group Friends of Starbank Park.

The fund, which has now closed, invited applications from anyone with a great idea to make a difference in their local community. Up to £1,000 was available to them, showing that no individual or idea is too small to make a big difference and bring people together across the Scotland.

An award of £250 means that the Friends of Starbank Park will be able to organise a very special Cherry Blossom Picnic at the picturesque community park in North Edinburgh.

Graham Buckley said; “This brilliant funding from The National Lottery means that this year in May we can open up this even further by inviting groups of disadvantaged people from surrounding areas to join our annual Cherry Blossom picnic events.

“We hope that this will lead to these groups and individuals, especially the children, start using this unique park on a regular basis in the future.” 

An award of £1,000 to Minishant Social and Leisure Group means that the small village in South Ayrshire is able to host its first community gala for 20 years. 

Jackie Murray said: “This is amazing, we have little amenities here and we are extremely grateful to have received this money from The National Lottery to help us organise our Gala Day in June this year.

“As many of us who live here will remember this used to be such a highlight that everyone looked forward to each summer.  The money will be used to lease the grounds and buildings required, hire inflatables and the carriage for the king and queen.   Our Gala Day will see neighbours of all ages coming together to socialise and I can’t think of a better way to pull community spirits back together.”

In Aberdeenshire, Kinellar Community Hall receives £1,000 to organise a very special party for the local community which will celebrate the hall’s 15th birthday.

Kirsty Quin said: “What a wonderful way to celebrate our community hall’s birthday. We are having an afternoon tea party on 29 February with lots of entertainment and a performance from the local school choir.

“The hall is in the heart of our village and this event will be a very special way for the whole community to get together. Thanks so much from all the Kinellar Community Hall staff and board.”

The National Lottery Community Fund Scotland Director, Neil Ritch, said: “It’s fantastic to see people’s love for their communities inspiring them to use National Lottery funding to make great things happen – we’ve been blown away by all the great ideas.

“#CelebrateNationalLottery25 is supporting a wide variety of projects across Scotland this year, all bringing people together to show the impact that small grants can make.”

Thanks to National Lottery players, more than £40 billion has been raised for good causes in the areas of arts, sport, heritage and community over the last 25 years.

#CelebrateNationalLottery25 is funded and delivered by The National lottery Community Fund, the largest funder of community activity in the UK.

The #CelebrateNationalLottery25 fund marked the culmination of a major campaign by The National Lottery celebrating its impact over the past 25 years and thanking players for contributing £30 million to good causes every week.

The National Lottery Community Fund is responsible for giving out money raised by National Lottery players for good causes.  Last year it gave out over £36m of National Lottery funding to community projects across Scotland. Over 1291 projects benefitted from this, enabling people and communities to bring their ideas to life.

To find out more visit www.TNLCommunityFund.org.uk