Tag: City Centre

Transforming Edinburgh: putting people at the heart of city design

Daisy Narayanan, who is leading the City Centre Transformation project on behalf of the Council during a secondment from Sustrans Scotland, shares her vision for Edinburgh: Continue reading Transforming Edinburgh: putting people at the heart of city design

Transforming the city centre: car-free streets?

City Centre view

A major public consultation planned to kick off next month will spark discussions all over the city about how people want the heart of Scotland’s Capital to look, feel and function.

If approved by the Transport and Environment Committee today, the eight-week consultation commencing in September will bring together three inter-related placemaking projects being led by the City of Edinburgh Council and supported by numerous partner organisations.

Responses and suggestions will be sought on: the Edinburgh City Centre Transformation, the City Mobility Plan (successor to the current Local Transport Strategy) and plans for Low Emission Zones in the Capital.

The consultation, entitled “Edinburgh: connecting our city, transforming our places”, centres on a prospectus which has been developed following extensive engagement with stakeholders between February and May 2018 – ideas and proposals contained within it have come directly from public feedback.

The prospectus sets out ideas to create a more active and connected city, a healthier environment, a transformed Edinburgh city centre, and improved neighbourhood streets. Among the ideas up for consideration are pedestrianised streets, restrictions on ‘through’ traffic, bus and freight ‘hubs’, widened pavements and improved public spaces. 

The Transport and Environment Committee report about the planned consultation also seeks members’ approval for regular vehicle-free days in the city centre and town centres across Edinburgh.

It also updates members on the award of £760,000 to the Council from the Scottish Government through Sustrans’ Community Links Programme to help deliver the Edinburgh City Centre Transformation project.

Transport Convener Councillor Lesley Macinnes said: “This prospectus is a truly ambitious document which is bound to generate some lively debate right across the city about what kind of place we want Edinburgh to be. It’s a powerful opportunity to make some really transformational changes to our city centre and town centres for the benefit of everyone who lives and works in or visits them.

“Frankly, the status quo is just not an option anymore. As a Council we are serious about tackling poor air quality, reducing congestion and making it as easy as possible to get around Edinburgh, especially by walking, cycling and public transport.”

Transport Vice Convener Councillor Karen Doran said: “The ideas in this hugely significant consultation have come from a series of workshops held in the spring with a huge range of organisations and interest groups, including transport providers (public transport, freight, taxi, private hire and community transport), private sector companies, third sector bodies, Edinburgh Access Panel, community councils, neighbouring local authorities and school pupils.

“We’re very pleased to have been awarded more than three quarters of a million pounds from Sustrans to help us progress what is sure to be one of the most far-reaching revamps of the Capital’s city centre and town centres in many, many years.”

Sustrans Scotland Deputy Director Grace Martin said: “We are very encouraged by the proposals laid out in the Council’s City Centre Transformation report.

“It is fantastic to see our capital city developing solutions to make the city a better place for people to live, work and visit. We are particularly pleased to be able to support a vision of more walking and cycling with funding through our infrastructure and behaviour change programmes.

“By making it easier and safer to travel around on foot and bike, improving air quality and creating more attractive and dynamic public spaces, the proposals set out how Edinburgh can grow and prosper.

“We hope this ambition will inspire other towns and cities within Scotland to promote active, sustainable and healthy lifestyles.”

Richard Hall, Managing Director of Lothian (formerly Lothian Buses), said: “We are really pleased to have been working in conjunction with the City of Edinburgh Council on this ambitious project so far.

“Buses and other forms of public and active transport are the best solution to move people across and through our city. Their integration into future design and planning is critical to ensure seamless connectivity which in turn drives economic investment and growth. Innovative and brave approaches and solutions need to be taken and delivered collaboratively by the city and all public and active transport organisations.”

Reclaim your lunch break!

Did you know that the average UK worker only takes around 20 minutes of their lunch break due to feeling that they won’t be able to complete all of the tasks they need to during the day?

While it’s important to stay on top of work, not taking time to eat, rest and recoup can be damaging and leave us feeling even more stressed.

In response to this The Spa at Charlotte Square is inviting busy Edinburgh professionals to reclaim their lunch breaks and indulge is a well earnt 25 minute express spa treatment during their lunch break. Perfect after a stressful morning or an extended Friday lunch- employees deserve to take their full lunch break and have some time to relax!

Rally on the Mound: Activists urge UK Government to axe two-child cap and rape clause

One year on since its implementation, activists are stepping up the pressure on the Department of Work and Pensions to scrap the now infamous family cap and associated rape clause. A demonstration will be held on Thursday (19 April) at 5.30pm on The Mound. Continue reading Rally on the Mound: Activists urge UK Government to axe two-child cap and rape clause

Transport Convener: aiming to make our city centre “a better place to be”

Transport Convener Councillor Lesley Macinnes writes on the aims and ambitions of ‘Central Edinburgh Transformation’:

I think it’s safe to say that we boast a world class city centre, in terms of architecture, culture, education and a raft of other qualities. Time and again I meet people struck by its beauty, compelled to visit or who never want to leave this place they call home.

But with this success comes added pressure. With an ever-growing population – a mixture of residents, commuters and visitors from far and wide – occupying a compact centre, we face a real challenge when it comes to moving people around the city.

I’m sure anyone waiting for a bus on the Bridges, navigating advertising boards on the Lawnmarket or cycling through the city centre would agree – we could do better.

Under Central Edinburgh Transformation, we want to bring issues like congestion, street clutter and poor air quality to the fore, working with residents, communities and businesses to rethink transport priorities, in turn unlocking the potential of our historic streets.

While we’re famous for our built heritage, it’s clear that some of our key places and spaces don’t work well enough. In line with the Management Plan for the World Heritage Site, our vision is to enhance the city’s public realm while supporting liveability within its centre. We must not forget that, while we’re proud of Edinburgh’s status as a thriving cultural hub, it’s also home to a great many residents, and their needs must be central to our vision.

By making it easier to walk and cycle around the city centre, improving the public realm while also increasing public transport efficiency, we want to create an environment that is sustainable, healthy and safe for our future generations. In this, the Year of Young People, it is more apparent than ever that we need to leave this legacy for the citizens of tomorrow.

Just as importantly, our aim is to make our city centre a better place to be, whether it’s for business, socialising or just strolling from east to west.

And though we ultimately hope to create a change in behaviour and a shift away from private cars, this is not a case of ‘driver vs pedestrian’ or ‘tourist vs resident’.

We are absolutely committed to creating a safer and more enjoyable experience for everyone. But we simply can’t ignore the fact that we need to make significant changes in order to protect our environment, ensure the safety of the public, providing access to people of all abilities and improving the quality of life here.

We are still at the very early stages of this project but as we move forward we will be engaging closely with citizens, transport operators and stakeholders, gathering information and seeking ideas to ensure that any progress takes full cognisance of the habits and requirements of the very people our city serves. We very much intend to take a people and evidence-led approach to the design process.

Under the expert guidance of lead officer Daisy Narayanan, who brings to the role years of experience as Deputy Director at Sustrans Scotland, I am confident that the Central Edinburgh Transformation project will make great strides toward achieving our vision.

We can, and will, be a modern, accessible and environmental capital, worthy of its status as one of Scotland’s most iconic and important locations.

This article first appeared in the Edinburgh Evening News on Wednesday 11 April

£22 million to repair North Bridge

Edinburgh’s historic North Bridge is set to undergo a major programme of refurbishment, subject to committee approval. A series of structural repairs will help safeguard the long-term use of the Grade A-listed bridge, built in 1896, as a vital city centre link between the Old and New Towns.
On Thursday, members of the Transport and Environment Committee will consider proposals for the £22m project, which would include steelwork repairs, repainting and repair of the cast iron façade and the replacement of joints across the bridge.
The project will benefit from £10m funding approved in the 2018/19 budget, set by Council on Thursday, 22 February, adding to an existing £12m allocated under the Capital Investment Programme 2018-2023.
The repairs will inevitably mean more travel disruption across the city centre.
Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Lesley Macinnes, said: “This historic bridge is a familiar and much-loved focal point in the city centre, and it’s clear that it requires some much-needed restoration. I am delighted that, thanks to prudent financial management, we will be able to progress with a series of repairs, ensuring the longevity of this iconic structure.”
Inspections to North Bridge carried out in 2014 identified a number of defects, resulting in the removal of loose material and installation of netting to make the underside of the bridge safe. Assessments have confirmed that there has been no impact on the bridge’s load carrying capacity.
A major contractor with experience of similar projects was engaged early in the process in light of the complexity of the scheme, which is due to the bridge’s location over a working railway station. The contractor was appointed through the National Civil Engineering and Infrastructure lot of the Scape Group Framework Agreement.
If the scope of refurbishment works is approved by Transport and Environment Committee, the contract to deliver this will be considered by Finance and Resources Committee for approval, with the refurbishment expected to begin in the summer.
On Thursday, members will also hear about the potential for additional enhancements to public realm on the bridge, such as widened and decluttered footpaths and carriageway resurfacing.  Outline design work is currently underway for these improvements, taking into account the principles of the Central Edinburgh Transformation Project, for which funding is yet to be identified. Final proposals will be reported back to Transport and Environment Committee.
Read the full report, North Bridge Refurbishment, on the Council website and watch the Transport and Environment Committee live via webcast from 10am on Thursday.
Core Works to North Bridge
  • Structural steelwork repairs.
  • Grit blasting and repainting of the structural steelwork.
  • Repairs to the cast iron façades.
  • Grit blasting and repainting of the cast iron façades.
  • Repairs to the underside of the bridge’s concrete deck.
  • Improvements to the structural drainage systems.
  • Replacement of expansion joints.
  • Restoration of, and repairs to, the King’s Own Scottish Borderers War Memorial (located on the east plinth of the bridge’s south pier).
  • Installation of permanent platforms to improve access provisions for future inspection and minor maintenance.
  • All temporary scaffolding required to access the structure.

Have your say on Picardy Place proposals

The public is being invited to view and comment on proposals for the future layout of Picardy Place and the surrounding area. Two events are set to take place on Tuesday 21 and Wednesday 22 November, where people can submit opinions on designs and hear from the Council on how plans have evolved since their inception.

Continue reading Have your say on Picardy Place proposals

CCTV appeal following assault in Cowgate

Police are investigating a serious assault in the city centre and have released images of a man that they believe may be able to assist them with their enquiries.

The incident happened at around 3.10 a.m. on Sunday 4th June near to the Espionage nightclub at the Cowgate. A 27-year-old man was attacked and sustained serious injuries.Officers would like to speak to the man shown in the image and would appeal to him or any members of the public who recognise him to contact them as soon as possible.

The male is described as white, mid-twenties, 5ft 11ins tall with a medium build, clean shaven face and short fair hair. He was wearing a pink checked shirt, blue jeans and white trainers. He was last seen leaving the Grassmarket in the company of other men and headed towards the West Port area.

Detective Constable Sheila Silvagni from the Violence Reduction Unit at Gayfield Police Station said, “This appears to have been a totally random and unprovoked attack, which left the victim with a painful injury to the back of his head.”

Anyone with information can contact the Violence Reduction Unit via 101 and quote incident number 934 of the 4th June. Alternatively, an anonymous report can be made through the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.