The NEN – North Edinburgh News – Page 2367 – The community media resource for north Edinburgh

Drivers and motorcyclists unconvinced by proposed new Highway Code

A recent survey has discovered that the majority of road users aren’t in favour of many of the Department for Transport’s proposed changes to the Highway Code which have been designed to improve road safety for cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders.

They believe that the changes will instead increase conflict and potentially reduce the safety of the vulnerable road users they are intended to protect.

In the survey, conducted by the UK’s largest road safety charity IAM RoadSmart, 71 per cent of drivers and motorcyclists believe the new proposal to give pedestrians priority when turning into and out of junctions, for example, will increase conflict rather than reducing it, with more than half (57 per cent) thinking this will be a significant issue.

Of the 3,600 web poll respondents, 74 per cent believe that children should be allowed to cycle on the pavement, but only 23 per cent feel that cyclists in general should have the same rights.

Almost three quarters (73 per cent) think that the new Highway Code should make it compulsory for cyclists to wear a helmet, in contrast to the proposed Code itself which, while restating the evidence that wearing a cycle helmet reduces the risk of sustaining a head injury in certain circumstances, stops short of making them compulsory.

Meanwhile, 71 per cent of people agree with the general concept that drivers and riders should give motorcyclists, cyclists, horse riders, horse drawn vehicles and pedestrians walking in the road at least as much room as they would when overtaking a car.

On the new Code’s most controversial suggestions – to establish a hierarchy of road users, where those in charge of the vehicles that can cause the greatest harm should bear the greatest responsibility to take care – the majority (56 per cent) agree that this is the right way forward, but 26 per cent are against and almost one in five (19 per cent) are still to be convinced either way.

The new Code doesn’t suggest any obligation on cyclists to use cycle lanes or tracks when they are present, and a resounding 80 per cent of IAM RoadSmart’s poll respondents believe this is a mistake.

However, some of the proposed changes were met with widespread support, with 63 per cent of those surveyed agreeing with the new advice that when riding a bike on busy roads, when vehicles are moving faster than them, cyclists should move over and allow traffic to overtake them.

There is also strong support for every proposal that contains clear guidelines on passing distances, with 78 per cent in favour of the one and a half-metre gap between cyclist and vehicle travelling below 30mph, with a two-metre gap when above 30mph.

And 90 per cent agree with the new Code’s advice that drivers and motorcyclists should give horse riders at least two metres’ space and pass at speeds under 15 mph.

Finally, just over half (57 per cent) agree with the new proposal to include the ‘Dutch Reach’ in the Highway Code. This is a technique which advises motorists leaving their vehicles to do so by using their left hand to operate the door handle, allowing the driver to naturally twist their body, making it easier to look over their shoulder and check for cyclists or other road users approaching.

Neil Greig, Policy and Research Director at IAM RoadSmart, said: “Regardless of what changes are introduced, it is clear there will be a need for a huge education campaign to ensure any amendments to the Highway Code are understood and fully adopted by the millions of existing UK drivers, motorcyclists and road users.

“At IAM RoadSmart we believe an online resource to help with this re-education in an engaging way would be helpful.

“The simple truth is that most of us don’t read the Highway Code unless we drive or ride professionally, or are about to take a test. The Department for Transport needs to be realistic about the impact simply changing a seldom read document will have on the behavior and safety of road users.”

MHD Law signs up for Will Aid

A law firm from Edinburgh is aiming to raise vital funds for nine of the UK’s best loved charities, after signing up for Will Aid, the annual charity will writing campaign.

MHD Law LLP has signed up to the scheme, which runs throughout November, for the 16th year in a row.

The firm has raised £13,255 for the nine charities involved since it joined the scheme.

Kieran Fitzpatrick from the firm said: “We are very excited to be involved in the Will Aid campaign again this year.

“It gives us an excellent opportunity to reach people in our community who do not have a will and help them to protect their loved ones for the future.

“It also means we can raise funds for nine incredible charities which make a huge difference to people in need both here in the UK and around the world.”

The Will Aid scheme takes place across the country during November and supports ActionAid, Age UK, British Red Cross, Christian Aid, NSPCC, Save the Children, Sightsavers, SCIAF (Scotland) and Trocaire (N. Ireland).

Thanks to the generosity of solicitors like MHD Law LLP, the campaign has raised more than £21 million for these charities since it launched 31 years ago.

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, charities are in need of donations now more than ever.

Campaign director Peter de Vena Franks said: “One in three people die in the UK without making a will, often leaving confusion and chaos behind along with the sadness of losing a loved one.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has certainly made people reflect on the fragility of life and reinforced the importance of having a professionally-written will in place.

“Will Aid encourages people to prepare this vital piece of paperwork at the same time as making a difference by raising money for charity.

“We are thrilled that MHD Law LLP has joined this year’s campaign. They have contributed a great deal to our fundraising efforts in the past and I know they will continue to work with us in future.”

Law firms across the country are being asked to sign up and pledge a portion of their time to write basic wills, putting duty before profit and instead asking clients to make a voluntary donation.

The suggested voluntary donation for a basic Will Aid will is £100 for a single will and £180 for a pair of mirror wills. Donations support the vital work of the nine partner charities.

Any additional work to the will can be charged separately and is paid to the law firm.

Will Aid solicitors will be following the most up-to-date government health advice to ensure that face-to-face meetings remain safe. Many firms will be able to write wills at a distance via a phone or online consultations.

Some firms will only be offering their services remotely. Participating firms can be contacted directly for more information.

For more information about how to sign up or how to make an appointment to write a will visit www.willaid.org.uk/solicitors.

Forth & Inverleith Voluntary Sector Forum meets tomorrow

This is a reminder for the Forth and Inverleith VSF on Zoom, tomorrow – Wednesday, Nov 4^th at 11am

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82718053569?pwd=dXBFc3ZqUWZXTjFONlNOUkhyQ1F3dz09

Meeting ID: 827 1805 3569

Passcode: 938535

We will use the below agenda to guide our discussion and welcome Dr Linda Irvine-Fitzpatrick and Dr Peter Kitchen as guests to the forum:

1. Welcome and introductions – name and organisation

Dr Linda Irvine-Fitzpatrick: Updates from the Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership (Edinburgh Pact, Thrive, Three Conversations)
Dr Peter Kitchen: New GP practice in the Granton area
Member updates – 1 to 2 minutes each
AOB
Date of next meeting

Kate Barrett

Development Worker – Community Planning, EVOC

Share your views on our precious greenspaces

Dear North Edinburgh News readers,

Working in a small group with the University of Edinburgh, we are conducting research into the relationship between greenspaces and socioeconomic levels in Edinburgh.

We will be investigating a number of areas in the city including Wester Hailes, Drylaw, Trinity and South Gyle.

If you live in any of these areas or are familiar, we believe you will have a valuable opinion for our survey.

Using the surveys, we want to gain people’s perspective about the quality and access of greenspace in these areas. It is short and will take roughly 5 minutes.

Our findings are hoped to make an impact upon the greenspaces in Edinburgh, especially if any inequalities are revealed.

Here is the link to the survey below:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeV6uzv5QBW2A2E3Q2p5qrpKKfvt26jFutXdMcjFJHR6D8C8g/viewform?usp=sf_link

Thank you for taking the time to read this message.

Kind regards,

Abbie, Nuria, Lucy and Pia

Dentists: Patient expectations need managing as ‘full service’ resumes in Scotland

The British Dental Association Scotland has warned that the reintroduction of the ‘full range’ of NHS treatments from Sunday 1 November will not signal a return to routine care, as a new poll reveals the limited capacity in the service.

According to new data from practices across Scotland:

Two-thirds (66%) are operating at less than a quarter of their pre-COVID capacity, with social distancing and new operating procedures leaving them capable of seeing a fraction of their former patient numbers.
80% report less focus on routine NHS dentistry, with 53% report more focus on urgent cases, with 63% stating less focus on cosmetic dentistry.
The greatest levels of concern with the Scottish Government’s performance has been on managing patient expectations, where 84% of practices expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s record. This compares to 43% dissatisfied with access to PPE, 58% on financial support. 82% were dissatisfied with the government’s overall performance during the pandemic in relation to the service.

The BDA has welcomed positive signals that the Scottish Government is developing communications to provide a needed ‘reality-check’ to patients. It has said clear and consistent messages from government and all NHS Boards are now essential to reduce patient frustration and prevent practices and their staff from being overwhelmed.

Dentist leaders have stressed that the pandemic has caused a huge backlog in unmet treatment built up over lockdown, and will require continued priority to be given to urgent cases, those midway through courses of treatment, and high-risk patients who have not been seen for several years.

While the BDA has recognised growing anxiety about an increasingly ‘two-tier’ system in Scotland it has questioned the timing of reintroduction of a full range of NHS dental services when COVID transmission rates are increasing significantly, and a huge swathe of the country is already facing Level 3-type restrictions.

David McColl, Chair of the British Dental Association’s Scottish Dental Practice Committee said: “November will not mark a return to ‘normal’ dental services in Scotland.

“Since the return to a ‘full range’ of services was announced the phones at many practices have been ringing off the hook. Dentists may be able to offer a wider range of treatment but now face demand that simply cannot be met.

“The Scottish Government is making the right noises, but we need every Health Board onside to prevent practices from being overwhelmed. Dentistry remains a skeleton service and urgent and high-risk cases need to be at the front of the queue.

“It is paramount that officials communicate this message effectively to the public. It now takes a nurse 42 minutes to thoroughly deep clean a surgery following a procedure. Rules designed to keep the public and staff safe mean dentists that once saw twenty patients a day are now capable of seeing just five.”

Restaurant group launches national initiative to support staff through Winter

Top restaurant group, Kained, has teamed up with TiPJAR and Hospitality Action to kickstart a national charity campaign to help Scottish hospitality workers during the COVID-19 crisis.

If you take a stroll down Finnieston this month, you’ll spot an innovative window display that has been designed to support local hospitality staff who have been hit the worst during the pandemic.

The pioneering new ‘Support Local’ activation – the first of its kind in the world launches today (Monday, 2nd November), and is the first fintech project of its kind in Scotland to tackle challenges presented by the uncertainty of the current pandemic and help support local hospitality staff.

TiPJAR – the UK’s new cashless and contactless tipping platform will help raise emergency funds for the Kained 100-strong team, and thousands of others nationally, who like many in the hospitality sector are receiving reduced support for 67% of their regular income and in most cases, now facing no government support due to changes in the new tier system and furlough eligibility.

The revolutionary campaign sees contactless tipping boxes provided by TiPJAR in the Finnieston restaurant windows which you can support by giving a £2 cash-free donation that goes directly to Hospitality Action to distribute to hospitality workers across Scotland – including the Kained team.

Simply tap to tip on their window to support local workers, with half of the money distributed straight to the Kained staff and the other half donated to a national pot to help the most at-risk workers.

Graham Suttle, MD of Kained, said: “We are proud to kick off a national campaign to bring support and a much-needed lifeline for so many, in such difficult times.

“Our customers are as much part of the family as our team, and have asked so many times to help they now have a safe and direct way via this award-winning platform, to help support our amazing team and those most in need across the nation.”

TiPJAR is an award-winning cashless tipping platform that allows individuals and groups to receive tips from consumers directly and distribute them transparently and fairly amongst their team.

James Brown, founder of TiPJAR and retail director of to BrewDog, said: “Having started my hospitality career working in bars in the city, I couldn’t think of a better place to launch this campaign.

“As many staff and businesses now face their toughest challenge of the pandemic so far, we wanted to do what we can to help the staff at Kained and staff all across the U.K.”

All funds will be donated towards Hospitality Action who will distribute funds to hospitality workers in Scotland.

If you would like to support the initiative, you can donate by clicking this link, head to the Finnieston and tap to tip their windows or visit https://tip.wearetipjar.com/p/kh-finnieston

Join the tipping revolution, for more information on TiPJAR, head to https://www.wearetipjar.com

Minor injury? Call MIA

A new minor injuries services helping people to access advice about minor injuries more quickly, easily and safely has been officially launched across the Lothians.

Introduced by NHS Lothian, Call MIA offers patients a confidential online video consultation with a Minor Injuries Nurse Practitioner. It provides advice on a wide range of injuries, less than 14 days old, from sprains, cuts and burns to suspected broken bones.

The launch follows a successful pilot of the service at the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh earlier this year, which received extensive positive feedback from patients and staff. During its first six months Call MIA helped over 1,000 patients with minor injuries, saving many an unnecessary trip to hospital.

The service has now been extended to include all minor injuries services across the Lothians including the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and St John’s Hospital in Livingston.

Gillian McAuley, Acute Nurse Director responsible for introducing the service, explained: “We’re asking anyone with a minor injury to Call MIA first”.

“A qualified nurse will advise if you can self-treat the injury or with the help of a local pharmacy. If you need to go to a minor injury service, you’ll be given an appointment, so you don’t need to wait when you attend. All of this can be done from the comfort of your home or workplace.”

The video appointment service is available 7 days a week by calling 0300 790 6267 between 8am and 9pm. It is open to children over the age of eight and adults of all ages who live in Lothian.

Dr Tracey Gillies, Medical Director of NHS Lothian added: “Not everyone with a minor injury needs to be seen in person. Call MIA provides an extremely valuable service for patients, helping people to access the right care in the right place, and get help quicker and closer to home where possible.

“As we approach winter it will be essential in reducing overcrowding in hospital waiting areas and keeping patients and staff safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Call MIA can help patients with injuries including: strains, sprains and suspected broken bones; wounds and burns; damage to joints ligaments, muscles, nerves and tendons; minor bumps to head and face; eye injuries and insect bites and stings. It is operated using secure online software.

Anyone with a life-threatening emergency should always call 999.

Following the success of NHS Lothian pilot, Call MIA is being extended to other health board areas including NHS Forth Valley and Fife.

Police appeal following fatal collision on Portobello High Street

A woman has died following a crash involving a lorry and a cyclist on Portobello High Street.

The incident took place around 2.45pm yesterday (Monday, 2 November) and the 36-year-old cyclist was pronounced dead at the scene.

Sergeant Mark Banner, from Police Scotland’s Road Policing Unit, said: “Our thoughts are with the deceased’s family at this tragic time.

“We are asking for anyone who was in the area and saw the collision take place to place come forward. If you have potential dashcam or CCTV footage in that area around 2.45pm, that could also greatly assist our enquiries.”

INCIDENT UPDATE:

THE cyclist who died after being involved in a collision with a lorry has been named as Heather Stronach.

The incident took place around 2.45pm on Monday, 2 November, on Portobello High Street heading towards Sir Harry Lauder Road. The 36-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene.Enquiries to establish the full circumstances are ongoing.

Heather’s husband, Martyn Stronach, said: “Heather loved to ride her bike. I am feeling pretty lost. I have lost my best friend and my soul mate.”

The family has requested privacy at this time.

Sergeant Mark Banner, of the Road Policing Unit, said: “We are still appealing for anyone who witnessed this incident, either shortly before or during, to contact us.”I’d also ask drivers who were in the area around 2.45pm to check their dash-cam footage.”

Anyone with information should contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting incident number 1829 of 2 November 2020.

More than £1 billion in refunds being illegally withheld for cancelled holidays

More than £8 billion worth of package holidays are estimated to have been cancelled since the beginning of the coronavirus outbreak, with just over £1 billion still estimated to be outstanding in refunds, according to new research from Which?.

Millions of people have had a package holiday cancelled by their provider since the UK went into lockdown in March, with refunds for one in five (21%) holidays where a cash refund was requested still outstanding at the beginning of October.

Which? surveyed more than 7,500 people who have had a package holiday cancelled as a result of the pandemic to understand how the situation around refunds has developed since the UK first entered lockdown.

An estimated total of just over £1 billion is being illegally withheld in partial or full refunds from customers who requested their money back, with the survey suggesting the average cancelled holiday cost £1,784.

Under the Package Travel Regulations 2018, if a package holiday is cancelled by the provider, the customer is legally entitled to a full refund within 14 days. A package holiday is a booking comprising at least two types of travel or travel-related services made through the same source, most commonly flights and accommodation.

Around 9.4 million people are estimated to have had a package holiday cancelled by their operator since the pandemic hit the UK. The backlog of refunds for cancellations caused by the coronavirus pandemic meant that the majority of operators struggled to refund within the legal time limit, with customer service lines overwhelmed by travellers trying to contact them to ask about their refunds.

Some package providers reported delays in receiving refunds back from airlines, many of which – despite making commitments to the aviation regulator – continue to break the law on refunds. This has meant package holiday operators have often only been able to process partial refunds for customers.

But while some companies have managed to get on top of the backlog caused by these delays, several other major providers have continued to leave passengers out of pocket, with Which? still receiving huge numbers of complaints from customers waiting for refunds.

The average amount of time spent contacting package holiday companies about cancelled trips was around 15.5 hours. For more than four in 10 (43%) of the cancelled holidays reported to Which?, customers said they waited longer than a month to get their money back.

During the summer, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) launched an investigation into package travel companies’ handling of cancellations and refunds. Following pressure from Which? and the CMA, Tui agreed to refund all customers by the 30th of September. The regulator also recently confirmed that Virgin Holidays has also committed to processing refunds for all holidays cancelled up to the end of October by 20 November.

Nearly four in ten (37%) people who have had a package holiday cancelled by their provider since the beginning of the outbreak said the experience has had a negative impact on their confidence in the travel industry.

Which? is calling on the government to outline how it will support the travel industry through the rest of the pandemic, and is urging it to introduce a travel guarantee fund to support package holiday providers that are struggling to fulfil their legal obligations to refund customers. It should also conduct a review of passenger protections following the coronavirus outbreak.

While the CMA has already secured commitments to process refunds from some companies, it is clear that some firms are not improving their practices of their own volition. The competition regulator must continue to closely monitor operators and secure further undertakings from those that flout the law, to prevent trust in travel being damaged any further.

Which?’s advice to anyone looking to book a future holiday is to book with a provider that can be trusted to refund their money promptly if they can’t travel, and to consider booking a package over a flight-only booking, to ensure they have greater legal protections if they cannot travel because of coronavirus.

Rory Boland, Editor of Which? Travel, said: “Since Which? first highlighted the issue of holiday companies delaying or denying refunds for holidays cancelled due to coronavirus, some operators have continued to flout the law and the sums of money being illegally withheld from holidaymakers are staggering.

“It’s simply unacceptable that some of the UK’s largest operators are still getting away with breaking the law, but without meaningful intervention from the government and the regulators in this space, many people will struggle to get their money back.

“The CMA must take firm action against any operators that are continuing to drag their feet on refunding holidaymakers, and the government must urgently set out how it will support travel companies in fulfilling their legal obligations to passengers.”

2021 holidays – the tour operators and travel agents Which? recommends:

www.which.co.uk/news/2020/10/holidays-in-2021-the-tour-operators-and-travel-agents-which-recommends

HOLIDAYMAKERS IN EDINBURGH OWED NEARLY £8 MILLION IN WITHELD REFUNDS

LOCAL MSP SAYS REGULATOR MUST DO MORE TO SUPPORT CUSTOMERS

SNP MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands has demanded action after the latest estimations from Which? suggested people in Edinburgh could be owed £7,858,609 in withheld refunds for cancelled trips.

Customers across the UK are waiting on more than £1 billion in refunds according to the results of the survey of more than 7,500 people who had a package holiday cancelled as a result of the pandemic.

Expressed a proportion of population, the findings of the survey suggest that holidaymakers in Edinburgh could be owed nearly £8 million.

Holiday companies are required to refund money within 14 days but the huge number of cancellations has left many of firms overwhelmed. 21% of those surveyed who requested a refund in March were still waiting at the beginning of October.

The research also found that the average cost of a cancelled holiday was £1,784.

During the summer, the Competition and Markets Authority launched an investigation into package travel companies’ handling of cancellations and refunds.

Commenting on the figures, local SNP MSP Gordon MacDonald said: “For many people, this saga has rumbled on for far too long – it’s time for the UK government and the market regulator to get a hold of this situation.

“Times are tough financially for many local families, and while I appreciate holiday companies were inundated with refund requests earlier in the year, we are now in November.

“We aren’t talking about spare change here – the average cost of a cancelled holiday was £1,784 according to this survey.

“While we all recognise the travel industry’s acute financial difficulties, there can be no excuse for them hoarding the hard-earned cash of their hard-pressed customers.

“As a matter of urgency, the UK government needs to set out how travel companies will be supported financially to fulfil their legal obligations to passengers – and take firm action against those who continue to drag their feet.

“I would urge anyone in Edinburgh Pentlands who is still waiting on a refund from March to get in touch with my office – I will offer any support I can to make sure you get your money back.”

Economy Secretary confirms eligibility for more licensed businesses required by law to close or operate with specific restrictions

HOLIDAYMAKERS IN EDINBURGH OWED NEARLY £8 MILLION IN WITHELD REFUNDS

LOCAL MSP SAYS REGULATOR MUST DO MORE TO SUPPORT CUSTOMERS