‘Bold plans’ for future of transport in Edinburgh

An integrated suite of draft action plans to help transform the way people move around Edinburgh has been published ahead of Transport and Environment Committee next Thursday (2 February).

The Active Travel Action Plan, Public Transport Action Plan and Parking Action Plan each support the delivery of Edinburgh’s City Mobility Plan to 2030, which envisions sustainable, safe, accessible and affordable travel around, to and from the Capital.

If approved next week, an extensive public consultation will take place on the three draft plans alongside the draft Road Safety and Air Quality Action Plans, which were previously approved. Consulting on the five plans together will help people understand the common issues and further shape the proposed actions.

These actions are intended to work together towards key Council objectives including cutting car kilometres by 30% by 2030, reducing congestion and improving health and wellbeing, as well as the vital net zero goal.

Each of the plans sit under the emerging Circulation Plan and its associated Streetspace Allocation Framework. This framework considers how to best use the limited space on our streets to better support people walking, wheeling, cycling and using public transport, while taking the needs of other street users into account. This approach is essential to helping the city transition towards a lower traffic, more liveable, healthy and sustainable place.

Councillor Scott Arthur, Transport and Environment Convener, said: “This ambitious set of action plans and the overarching Circulation Plan build on the commitments in the City Mobility Plan.

“They provide detailed actions to direct investment in and to deliver of a more sustainable, inclusive and affordable transport system. This is essential as we work towards a city where we can all enjoy a healthy environment, get around conveniently and, crucially, achieve net zero carbon emissions.

“It’s clear that we can’t address one area of transport without tackling another, which is why we’re considering each of the plans together. Whether it’s delivering safer streets, providing better connections to and around the city or improving air quality, the issues, solutions and actions cut across our plans.

“Investing in sustainable transport to help cut congestion is key to ensuring Edinburgh’s continued economic prosperity. This will take significant investment, and to help demonstrate the need for funding from the Scottish Government we will build a formal business case which helps confirm the economic and wellbeing benefits. We will also show that this investment is key to creating a more equal Edinburgh which is ready to show leadership in the transition towards sustainable travel.

“If approved, we’ll be seeking the public’s views to help further shape the future of transport in Edinburgh, to the benefit of generations to come.”

All of the actions are intended to be complementary across the action plans. For example, both lower speed limits and better routes to school are safety measures that support active travel. Similarly, enhanced parking enforcement can improve conditions for walking, wheeling and cycling and also reduce bus journey times.

Active Travel Action Plan

The ATAP sets out to deliver a walkable and fully accessible city, where cycling is a realistic choice for all through major enhancements to Edinburgh’s walking, wheeling and cycling networks. Actions, which are estimated to require between £824m and £1,124bn investment, include –

  • Improving walking and wheeling: Create easy-access, step-free, uncluttered pavements through measures like ensuring every junction has ‘dropped’ kerbs, levelling pavements (for example where the gradient at places like driveways makes them hard to use in a wheelchair) and delivering more and better pedestrian crossings.
  • Improving cycling: Deliver a joined-up network of routes which are within 400m of every household and that feel safe at all times of day using segregated cycle tracks on main roads, as well as unsegregated routes on streets with low volumes of motor traffic. Alongside this accelerate the roll-out of cycle parking.
  • Better shopping streets and neighbourhoods: Measures in support of the 20-minute neighbourhood strategy. Work with businesses to transform shopping streets, focusing on making them better places for people. Implementing low-traffic, liveable neighbourhoods in residential areas to address rat-running and improve conditions for active travel. Lower speed limits, especially on rural roads.
  • Street design and supporting active travel in and from new developments: Use Edinburgh Street Design Guidance in the planning process for new developments to ensure active travel and public transport use, rather than car-dependence, are encouraged.
  • Access to green space and cycling for leisure: Improved crossings and accesses to support Edinburgh’s Open Space Strategy and better signing and path upgrades to support leisure cycling.
  • Supporting and encouraging active travel: An expanded behaviour change programme focusing on campaigns to complement new infrastructure.

Public Transport Action Plan

By delivering an enhanced public transport system, including bus priority measures and higher quality infrastructure supporting faster journey times, Edinburgh will be connected by a safer and more inclusive net zero carbon transport system.

Amongst the actions are –

  • Addressing the climate emergency: Deliver a programme of behaviour change interventions to encourage public transport use and working with operators on options for a net zero carbon fleet.
  • Providing safe, affordable and accessible public transport: Deliver integrated ticketing across Lothian Buses and Edinburgh Trams, as well as rail; strengthen partnerships with taxi and private hire car trade and car club partners as key providers of the city’s shared mobility offering.
  • Delivering a reliable and efficient network to support growth: Proposed extension of bus lane hours and bus stop realignment to improve journey times, while maintaining access for all along with other bus priority measures.
  • Enhancing regional connectivity: Develop mass rapid transit plan for the city and region, deliver North / South tram line linking Granton to the Bio Quarter and beyond and consider future use of South Suburban Rail Line as well as the opportunity for a cross-Forth ferry.
  • Place – reducing vehicular dominance: Support Edinburgh City Centre Transformation and review opportunities to reduce bus stop dwell times.
  • Improving governance and coordination: Deliver new governance arrangements for Council owned public transport operators; align operational management of the public transport companies with the city’s transport policies.

Parking Action Plan

By being ambitious about expanding controlled parking zones and restricting parking in new developments, we can reduce car usage and, in turn, congestion on streets, particularly as the city’s population expands. Key areas are –

  • Communications: Increasing awareness of parking operations, proposals and consultations while improving data gathering and customer insight.
  • Parking controls: These play an important part in many people’s everyday lives by determining where deliveries are made, where local residents including people with mobility difficulties can park and where people can cross the road, cycle and access public transport more safely.
  • Parking management: The Council has a duty to manage and maintain public streets, with parking management important for achieving this aim through permits and pricing to help manage demand and ensure parking opportunities are available.
  • Parking enforcement: Vital for parking management to function effectively, with on-street parking regulations and enforcement applied to establish an orderly use of the available urban space.
  • Reducing vehicle emissions: Managing kerbside space differently by allocating space to support electric vehicle charging and car sharing through car club vehicles. This can help to reduce vehicle emissions and encourage sustainable mobility.

The Air Quality and Road Safety Action Plans were approved for consultation by Transport and Environment Committee on 8 December. If the remaining plans are approved on 2 February a period of public consultation and engagement will be carried out between March and July. Please keep an eye out for more details on how you can get involved – this will include information via our Future Edinburgh webpages.

The draft Active Travel Action Plan, Public Transport Action Plan and Parking Action Plan, along with an update on the Circulation Plan are available to read in the Transport and Environment Committee papers on the Council website.

Scottish Fire & Rescue Service: Death of firefighter Barry Martin

STATEMENT ISSUED – FRIDAY 27 JANUARY

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is deeply saddened to confirm the passing of Firefighter Barry Martin.

Interim Chief Officer Ross Haggart said: “It is with profound sadness that I confirm, on behalf of his family, that Barry Martin has passed away this afternoon following the serious injuries he sustained during a large-scale fire at the former Jenners building in Edinburgh.

“Barry, who was being treated at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, had been in a critical condition since Monday’s fire.

“I speak for the entire Service when I say that we are all devastated by the loss of Barry and our thoughts remain with his family, friends and colleagues at this deeply distressing time.

“Both Barry’s family and the Service have been overwhelmed with the messages of support we have received and we thank everyone for the time they have taken to share these.

“Barry’s family would also like to thank all the medical staff who have cared for him.

“I would now ask that we all allow Barry’s family, friends and colleagues to grieve in private.”

Holocaust Remembrance Day 2023: UK statement to the OSCE

UK Ambassador Neil Bush marks International Holocaust Remembrance Day, and stresses the need to stand against antisemitism in all its forms:

Thank you Mr Chair, thank you Ambassador Ann Bernes, for your introductory comments, and your work as President of International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA).

Tomorrow we will mark International Holocaust Remembrance Day, to remember and honour the lives of the six million Jewish men, women and children as well as, Roma, Sinti and others who lost their lives at the hands of the Nazi regime during World War II.  This was one of the darkest moments in human history.

The UK’s theme for this year highlights the role of “ordinary people” – as perpetrators, victims, and rescuers. These people actively had choices to make – whether or not to perpetrate genocide; whether or not to stand by and actively ignore what was going on around them.

There were those who took a stand against hatred, by coming forward to help those in need – whether by hiding people, providing food, or helping people to escape.  They were ordinary people too… doing extraordinary things. It remains an extraordinary and uplifting fact that ordinary people in Denmark managed to save almost all of their countries Jewish populations. 

They were hidden in churches, hospitals and family homes, and spirited to coastal towns, from where they were taken to safety in Sweden. Sadly, there were also many who stood by silently and did nothing.

We will soon reach a point when the march of time means that the Holocaust will no longer be part of our living history.  With that comes a growing concern about the rise of Holocaust denial and distortion – recasting history to erase the devastating horrors faced by the Jewish people.  We have a duty to remember them and keep their testimony alive for future generations.

Holocaust distortion feeds the despicable scourge of antisemitism, which has no place in any society.  We must continue to stand against it in all its forms, and to reject any attempts to deny the facts of the Holocaust.  History is too important to be politicised.

We will continue to drive international efforts to promote Holocaust education, and counter Holocaust denial and distortion when the UK takes the Chairpersonship of IHRA in March 2024. To ensure we never forget the horrors, or forget the hard lessons we learnt – the UK has committed to building a new national Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre in London, expected to open in 2027.

As we mark this poignant day, Mr Chair and the six million people who were not saved during World War II – let us reflect. Let us remember. And let us never forget.

Thank you.

Scotland’s Women’s Health Champion

Professor Anna Glasier OBE has been appointed as the first Women’s Health Champion for Scotland.

She will work with partners in the NHS and across the public and third sectors to drive forward actions in the Women’s Health Plan. Priorities include specialist menopause services, menstrual health with a focus on endometriosis and polycystic ovarian syndrome, and heart health.

Prof Glasier has had a long and distinguished career in women’s reproductive health, demonstrating a passion for improving women’s health outcomes across Scotland and beyond.

Her appointment coincides with the publication of the first Women’s Health Plan report which details the progress made so far on raising awareness around women’s health, improving access to health care and reducing inequalities in health outcomes for women and girls.

Minister for Public Health, Maree Todd said: “I am very pleased to welcome Prof Glasier to the role of Women’s Health Champion.

“Her appointment is an important step forward in our work to reduce the unacceptable health inequalities that women continue to face. She has a wealth of knowledge and a passion for women’s health and will bring huge value to the role.”

Prof Glasier said: “I am honoured to have been invited to champion women’s health in Scotland.

“Scotland has a long tradition of being courageous in its approach to women’s health and the ambitious Women’s Health Plan is no exception, recognising as it does the inequalities which affect women in many areas of health. I am eagerly looking forward to starting in the role and supporting progress with the medium and longer term actions set out in the plan.”

Women’s Health Plan : A Report on Progress – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

First recorded stranding of a short-finned pilot whale in the UK reported

A new study of a whale which stranded off the Pembrokeshire coast in 2012 has revealed it to be the first short-finned pilot whale ever to be found in British waters.  

The short-finned pilot whale, Globicephala macrorhynchus, is more frequently found in tropical to warm temperate seas and is not normally encountered in Europe north of the Bay of Biscay.  

The whale, which stranded on 1 March 2012 at Hazelbeach near Neyland, Pembrokeshire, was initially identified as a long-finned pilot whale, Globicephala melas. Long-finned pilot whales are far more commonly found in British waters and strand frequently. The two species are similar and difficult to distinguish based on skeletal remains.  

However, features of the Hazelbeach whale’s skull and teeth, described by scientists in a newly published article in the journal Mammal Communications, confirm that it is a short-finned pilot whale, the first found in British waters. 

Dr Andrew Kitchener, Principal Curator of Vertebrates at National Museums Scotland, where the whale’s remains are now held, said: “This is one of a growing number of examples in our collection going back to the 1980s of what we would normally think of as warm-water species being found for the first time in British waters.

“Others include striped dolphins, pygmy sperm whales and a Fraser’s dolphin. It’s important to develop our understanding of changing marine populations and their distributions, and the existence of collections and research facilities such as ours are crucial to building that understanding over time.

“This discovery means that we can no longer assume that every stranded pilot whale in Britain is a long-finned pilot whale.” 

Rob Deaville of the Institute of Zoology in London where the Cetacean Stranding Investigation Programme is based, said: “The identification of this short-finned pilot whale in UK waters adds to the evidence of a clear trend of cetacean life being affected by climate change, part of a wider impact on our seas and oceans.” 

Dentists: Latest figures reveal depth of Scotland’s access crisis

The British Dental Association has called on the Scottish Government to fix the broken system underpinning NHS dentistry, as new data reveals little sign of a recovery in attendance and ever-widening health inequalities.

Figures from Public Health Scotland show participation rates – contact with a dentist within the past two years – continued to fall. On 30 September 2022 just 50.4% of all registered patients had seen an NHS dentist within the last two years, still down on the 52.6% seen in 2021, and a considerable reduction from almost two-thirds (65.1%) in 2020. The participation rate among registered children was higher than for adults (65.7% compared to 47.2%).

The gap between the most and least deprived areas in Scotland continues to grow, with the new data showing record inequalities in participation rates. In September 2008, the gap in child participation between the most and least deprived areas was three percentage points; this had increased to seven percentage points by 2010, eighteen percentage points (55.3% compared to 73.1%) in September 2021. The figure now stands at twenty percentage points (55.9% compared with 75.8%).

The BDA has warned that lower levels of participation will inevitably translate into a higher dental disease burden, with deep oral health inequalities expected to widen even further given the cumulative impact of limited access to services, the temporary suspension of public health programmes, and the impact of lockdown diets. Lower participation will reduce the chance of picking up early signs of decay and oral cancers at routine check-ups, and delays in treatment will mean higher costs to the NHS and worse outcomes for patients. 

Registration rates remain high due to lifetime registration – over 95.4% of the Scottish population were registered with an NHS dentist in September 2022– but the percentage of children registered fell marginally. 

Free NHS dental for all remains a key Scottish Government policy. BDA Scotland has long warned that a return to a ‘business as usual model’ – low margin and high volume – will put practices under unsustainable financial pressure, with soaring running costs raising the risk of closure or movement to the private sector.

BDA Scotland stresses that Ministers must continue with additional financial support for practices, set to end on 1 April 2023 to support dentists and their teams as they work through the historic backlog of dental care and until a new, sustainable funding arrangement for NHS dentistry is in place. This data follows recent reports of a growing exodus of dentists from the NHS.

David McColl, Chair of the British Dental Association’s Scottish Dental Practice Committee said: “Patients in Scotland’s poorest communities are paying the price for the crisis in dentistry.

“The Scottish Government must not try to hide behind positive sounding registration figures. The reality is patient participation remains on the floor, and inequalities are set to widen.

“Dentists are reconsidering their futures working in a broken system. NHS dentistry is on the critical list, and real reform won’t wait.”

Brand new £1.6 million bar opens in Edinburgh Airport

 Double the All Bar One fun … Popular bar and restaurant chain, All Bar One has opened up a second site in Edinburgh Airport.

Meaning the existing site, near gate 6, is now joined by a stunning new addition by gate 15. The new £1.6 million venue opened its doors in the airport on Wednesday 28th December, so guests can now enjoy All Bar One favourites at both ends of the airport terminal. 

The new bar seats 200 people, and is open daily from 4am until 9pm serving up breakfast, brunch, cocktails and low & no alcohol drinks! Whatever your next destination, make sure to stop in at All Bar One on the way.

Speaking about the refurbishment, General Manager at All Bar One Edinburgh, Lewis said: “We are very excited to be opening our brand new second All Bar One unit within Edinburgh Airport, offering travellers somewhere exciting to start their holidays.

“Open from 4am every day we have an exciting range of cocktails, beer and wine along with a fantastic Breakfast and Main menu in our stylish bar & restaurant setting.’’ 

Following the significant investment made at All Bar One, new jobs have been created for the local area, with the team now ready to pour pints and serve delicious food to guests. 

For more information about All Bar One please visit:

 https://www.allbarone.co.uk/national-search/scotland-and-northern-ireland/all-bar-one-e dinburgh-airport#/

Applications open for the Scottish Charity Awards 2023 

The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) is calling for voluntary organisations and individuals across the country to apply for its annual Scottish Charity Awards. 

Now in its 17th year, the Scottish Charity Awards are designed to celebrate the best of the voluntary sector, and to highlight the incredible organisations, inspiring people and innovative projects that have made an immeasurable difference to the communities they support over the past year. 

Applications are now being accepted for 2023, with SCVO placing particular importance on hearing from voluntary organisations and individuals that reflect the diversity of the sector. 

The award categories are Employee of the Year, Trustee of the Year, Community Action, Campaign of the Year, Charity of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Digital Citizen, Pioneering Project and Climate Conscious; with the winners to be decided by a panel of judges. 

All finalists will also be entered into the running for the People’s Choice Award, giving members of the public a chance to vote for their favourite finalist to win. SCVO received an overwhelming response last year with hundreds of applications and over 18,000 votes cast for the People’s Choice Award, and hopes that even more organisations will be inspired to apply this year.  

This year, SCVO will be bringing its glittering awards ceremony, hosted by Sally Magnusson, to Edinburgh on 23 June.  

Anna Fowlie, Chief Executive of SCVO, said: “Every year, the Scottish Charity Awards remind us just how amazing voluntary organisations, their staff and their volunteers are. 

“It’s a unique chance to see the life-changing contributions they make every day in our communities, and I would urge you to apply to make sure your work gets the recognition it deserves.

“Not only can being a finalist promote your organisation’s cause and attract new funding streams, it will let people across Scotland see what you do and understand the vital contribution charities, community organisations and social enterprises make to our society. Don’t be shy – apply!”  

Applications are open until 12pm on Friday 17 March 2023 and can be completed on the SCVO website: scvo.scot/scottish-charity-awards/apply.

Don’t get yourself in a pickle: Edinburgh Leisure is offering Pickleball Taster Sessions

Edinburgh Leisure is offering Pickleball Taster sessions at four of its venues next week.

Invented in the USA over 50 years ago by a family who named it after their dog Pickles, Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in the world. 

Played on a court very similar to badminton but with a lower net, it is played with a ball and a paddle, and uses racket skills from tennis, squash, badminton and table tennis. The rules and scoring system mean that pickleball is very accessible for the young and not so young, making it a family activity for everyone to enjoy. 

Led by Pickleball Scotland ambassadors, the free adult taster sessions will be offered at the following venues. No need to invest in a paddle or balls as the kit will be supplied on the day.

Monday, 30th January – 1pm – 3pm

Meadowbank Sports Centre, 139 London Road, Edinburgh EH7 6AD

Wednesday, 1st February – 7 pm – 9 pm

Ainslie Park, 92 Pilton Drive, Edinburgh EH5 2HF

Thursday, 2nd February – 1 pm – 3 pm

Craiglockhart Tennis Centre, 177 Colinton Road, Edinburgh EH14 1BZ

Friday, 3rd February – 1 pm – 3 pm

Drumbrae Leisure Centre, 30 Drumbrae Terrace, Edinburgh EH4 7SF

No need to invest in a paddle or balls as the kit will be supplied on the day.  

To book your free space, visit here, select the venue of your choice and choose activity type ‘Social Sport Class’. Or select the Social Sports icon on the Edinburgh Leisure App at your chosen venue.

For more information: shorturl.at/owFPQ

Appeal for information following assault and robbery in Seafield

Detectives in Edinburgh are appealing for information after a man was assaulted and robbed by three youths in Seafield.

Around 5.30pm on Tuesday (24 January 2023) the man sustained minor injuries after three males struck him on the head with a weapon and stole his rucksack and laptop as he made his way along the cycle path between Seafield Street and Pirniefield.

The suspects are described as:

The first was around 14-years-old, with a Scottish accent, slim build, wearing a snood, dressed in black and riding a black scooter.

The second, with the weapon, was about 16/17-years-old, stocky build, 5ft 9, Scottish accent, wearing a dark hoodie with the hood tied tight, red snood, black jogging bottoms and black trainers.

The third was around 14/15-years-old, wearing dark clothing and silver trainers. Both were on electric bikes.

Detective Sergeant Keith Taylor, Violence Reduction Unit, said: “Extensive enquiries are ongoing to trace the people responsible, and we encourage anyone with information about this attack to contact police.

“Think back, did you see these three youths in the area around this time?

“We are also appealing for anyone who may have relevant dash-cam footage from the Seafield Road area around 5.30pm on Tuesday to get in touch.

“Please contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting reference number 3094 of Tuesday, 24 January, 2023.”

Read more – http://ow.ly/mVPk50MB1Qz