Council Leaders have urged people to take care and carry out regular testing as COVID cases remain high in the Capital.
The appeal follows yesterday’s announcement by the First Minister, in which she called for “renewed care and vigilance” at this critical moment. This week, Edinburgh and the Lothians recorded the highest number of COVID cases in Scotland.
In response to the high numbers, several community test centres have opened around the city over recent weeks. Free COVID tests are on offer for people who don’t display any symptoms, aiming to break the chain of transmission by catching asymptomatic cases which could still be infectious.
Council Leader Adam McVey said: “The city is beginning to open up, returning a sense of normality to our daily lives, but we really must continue to take care by continuing to wash hands and using sanitiser regularly and physical distancing when out enjoying all our city and its businesses has to offer.
“With the weather still getting better, continuing to meet up with friends and family outdoors where possible can help drive the numbers down and keep the freedoms we’re starting to enjoy again.
“Regular testing is vital too if we are to catch and isolate cases, and I would urge everyone to make use of community test centres and order your free home testing kits to check if you could have COVID even if you don’t have symptoms.”
Depute Leader Cammy Day said: “Over the last 15 months we’ve all worked really hard to minimise the impact of the COVID virus, and I’d like to thank everyone for their patience during this time.
“That’s why it’s crucial that we don’t let our guard down now so I would encourage everyone to take up their vaccination when offered. We need to keep following the rules put in place for good reason, as well as getting tested when possible, to reduce the rising case rate and to ensure we can enjoy a more ‘normal’ summer.”
Walk-up mobile testing unit, Heart of Midlothian Football Club, Wheatfield stand accessed via Wheatfield Street/Place, until Sunday, 11 July
Drive though mobile testing unit at Hibernian Football Club, in the car park behind the east stand accessed off Albion Place/Hawkhill Place until Sunday, 11 July
McDonald Road Library until Saturday, 3 July – test pick-up available
Wester Hailes Library until Saturday, 3 July – test pick-up available
Fountainbridge Library from Monday, 5 July to Saturday, 10 July – test pick-up available
Drumbrae Library Hub from Monday, 5 July to Saturday, 10 July – test pick-up available
Producers and venues have been awarded £1 million to support the safe return of live events at this year’s Edinburgh International Festival and Edinburgh Fringe.
The Scottish Government funding will help to create outdoor performance spaces and mitigate the additional costs faced by producers due to the pandemic.
It has been distributed between the Edinburgh International Festival and nine Fringe producers alongside a further £300,000 from City of Edinburgh Council.
Culture Secretary Angus Robertson said: “Edinburgh’s festivals are a highlight on the international cultural calendar and were sorely missed last summer. I am determined to do everything within my power to support the return of these globally significant events and the benefits they bring to Scotland in terms of tourism and trade.
“Although this is an important step towards normality, the huge impact of the pandemic is still widely felt across our festival and events sector as well as our cultural sector more widely.
“Recovery will take time, but this additional funding from the Scottish Government and Edinburgh City Council for a number of established Fringe producers and the Edinburgh International Festival will help organisers respond to some of the ongoing challenges they face.
“This is the latest in a wide-ranging package of support the Scottish Government has made available since the start of the pandemic across all of Edinburgh’s Festivals which now totals approximately £6.5 million.”
Councillor Donald Wilson, City of Edinburgh Council Culture and Communities Convener, said: “Last year we pledged to continue our support for Edinburgh’s culture and events sectors, in particular through our funding programmes which have contributed to the retention and, as far as possible, stability of the sector.
“The resourcefulness and resilience displayed throughout the crisis to date by this sector has been amazing and through this additional funding we aim to further support their 2021 offering. The value to this city’s economy and the wellbeing of our citizens cannot be underestimated.”
Executive Director of Edinburgh International Festival Francesca Hegyi said: “This support is hugely appreciated in a year when the International Festival is pioneering the return to live performance in Scotland following the pandemic, which requires careful planning and places safety as a top priority.
“Three outdoor venues are core to those safety measures and this funding will go directly towards the costs of those pavilions which we hope will lift the spirits of a country ready to embrace culture and live performance.”
Oh behalf of Gilded Balloon, ZOO, Traverse Theatre and Dance Base, Katy Koren said: “We are delighted to have been awarded funding to create a new festival hub celebrating the best of the Edinburgh Fringe and supporting local artists.
“After a fallow year for the Edinburgh Festivals in 2020, we are determined to bring safe events and performances back to the city centre this August in a unique new collaboration.
“We are all very grateful for the support of the Scottish Government, City of Edinburgh Council and EventScotland – this project would not have been possible without them.”
The Scottish Government’s flagship events programme is supporting the return of internationally significant events. Previous flagship events include EURO 2020 and the British & Irish Lions v Japan test match for the 1888 Cup.
Funding proposals from Fringe producers were reviewed by the Scottish Government, EventScotland and City of Edinburgh Council.
Funding awarded:
Operator (s)
Funding awarded
EIF
£300,000
Gilded Balloon, Zoo, Traverse Theatre, Dancebase
£230,696
Pleasance
£169,619
Summerhall
£166,780
Space UK
£106,681
Assembly
£162,962
Underbelly
£162,962
The Scottish Government has also provided:
£2 million to be invested in Edinburgh and Glasgow’s major arts festivals in 2021/22 through the continuation of the EXPO fund
£1 million in 2021/22 through the Edinburgh Festivals Platform for Creative Excellence Programme
a £1 million interest-free loan to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, as well as a further £81,000 grant, to ensure their resilience and develop their digital and ticketing platforms
funding for individual festival companies and producers through Scottish Government relief funds.
Sistema Scotland has announced that a new Big Noise programme will begin in Wester Hailes, Edinburgh in spring 2022. The project will work in partnership with City of Edinburgh Council and with Clovenstone, Canal View and Sighthill Primary and Nursery Schools.
Big Noise Wester Hailes will work initially with all children in Primary 1 and 2. Over the course of its first year, the programme will expand to reach all nursery to Primary 3 age children, approximately 400 participants in total across the community.
Big Noise will grow year on year, retaining the involvement of the children as they age, and introducing the next generations of nursery and Primary 1 children. It will ultimately work with babies through to school-leavers in Wester Hailes, as well as offering opportunities to stay involved in the programme as adults.
Big Noise is a high-quality music education and social change programme, where the symphony orchestra becomes a community which supports children and young people to gain vital life skills such as confidence, resilience, creativity and aspiration.
Through music and nurturing relationships, from infancy to adulthood, Big Noise supports participants’ wellbeing and helps them reach their full potential.
The programme also aims to strengthen the amazing communities where it is based; developing relationships with participants and their families based on mutual respect, trust and a commitment to work together and tackle inequalities for the long term.
While there are currently four Big Noise programmes, operating in Raploch (Stirling), Govanhill (Glasgow), Torry (Aberdeen) and Douglas (Dundee), this will be the first Big Noise programme to be based in Scotland’s capital city.
Independent evaluation of the Big Noise model by the Glasgow Centre for Population Health has shown that taking part in Big Noise helps children to improve their concentration and language skills, enhance their problem solving and decision making, increase their self-esteem and develop strong friendships and support networks.
Benny Higgins, Chairman of Sistema Scotland, said: “Sistema Scotland believes that all children and young people have great skills, talents and potential. We also know that many of Scotland’s communities face long-standing inequalities and challenges that make it extremely difficult for children to achieve their hopes, ambitions and dreams.
“The impact of Covid-19 has greatly exacerbated these inequalities. Now more than ever, we must think and act creatively to ensure Scotland’s children are given the opportunities and support that they deserve.
“Our charity is committed to ensuring that more children and communities across Scotland are able to take part in Big Noise and I am delighted that Wester Hailes will be the home of the next Big Noise programme.”
Councillor Ian Perry, Education, Children and Families Convener for City of Edinburgh Council, said: “I am extremely pleased to welcome Sistema Scotland to Edinburgh.
“I very much look forward to seeing the Big Noise programme in action, working with and supporting children, young people and families within the Wester Hailes community.”
Nicole Killean OBE, Chief Executive of Sistema Scotland,said: “We are greatly looking forward to starting a new Big Noise programme in Wester Hailes which will work in partnership with children, young people, families, schools and the community for many years to come.
” We also hope to work alongside local charities and community groups to bring additional support and value to Wester Hailes.”
Sam Laidlaw, mother of three from Wester Hailes, said: “Big Noise coming to Wester Hailes is such a great opportunity. Taking part in Big Noise will help the children grow their confidence.
“I’m excited to see the joy in the children’s faces as they explore music and movement. They will also come away from the programme with the ability to play a musical instrument by the time they leave high school which is great.
“I think Big Noise will help bring the community together and bring people together from different areas of Wester Hailes. I think it will bring a sense of pride to the community.”
Nicola Benedetti CBE, internationally-renowned violinist and official Big Sister to the participants of Big Noise, said: “Sistema Scotland’s consistent dedication to quality and expansion is an inspiration to all of us and I am so excited that they are finally in Edinburgh with this new Big Noise programme at Wester Hailes.”
British Ecological Society is presenting a new digital exhibition as part of this year’s Science Festival.
They teamed up an artist with a scientist and each pair was asked to imagine a greener future for Edinburgh and demonstrate how problems like carbon emissions, drought, heatwaves and even social justice can be tackled with nature-based solutions in our most familiar green spaces.
What they’ve come up with is very impressive – Leith on Sea (rising sea levels), tree-lined Nicolson Street (the most polluted street in Edinburgh and second-most in Scotland).
These visions – as well as audience’s own ideas – will directly inform the City of Edinburgh Council plans for Edinburgh’s future green spaces: Thriving Green Spaces project (see below).
As part of this year’s Edinburgh Science Festival, the British Ecological Society (BES), in collaboration with SMASH-UK, are presenting a virtual gallery of art created by local artists and ecologists, predicting the green future of Edinburgh – these visions will directly contribute to work by the City of Edinburgh Council in envisioning the future of the city’s green spaces.
This free event, running from 26 June to 11 July 2021 transports visitors to a fully explorable 3D virtual gallery overlooking the iconic Arthur’s Seat, displaying visions for Edinburgh’s future green spaces.
Exhibition artworks include a vision of Leith, successfully defending against sea level rises and extreme rain events (now ‘Leith-on-Sea’), to a resilient and renovated tree covered Nicolson St, known to the most polluted street in Edinburgh and second-most polluted in Scotland.
Local artists have collaborated with ecologists from Scottish Wildlife Trust, the City of Edinburgh Council, Nature Scot, Architecture & Design Scotland, Forest Research and Bangor University to imagine a greener future for Edinburgh and demonstrate how problems like carbon emissions, flooding, heatwaves and even social justice can be tackled with nature-based solutions in our most familiar greens spaces.
Visitors to the digital exhibition will also be able to contribute their own ideas for future green spaces, which will be displayed alongside the artwork in the gallery. Their visions will also inform the Council’s plans for the future of Edinburgh’s green spaces.
Dr Chris Jeffs, Senior Education & Engagement Officer at the British Ecological Society and curator of the exhibition said: “This cutting-edge exhibition is the first-time local artists and ecologists have been brought together to envisage the future of Edinburgh’s green spaces.
“It offers a way for the residents of Edinburgh and beyond to have their say on how green spaces should look like in future, and how they can tackle environmental challenges in their local area.
“Ecologists are on the front lines in our battle against climate change, and nature-based solutions in our green spaces, like those depicted in the exhibition, offer enormous hope. We want everyone to understand the climate crisis and the role ecology and nature-based solutions can play in a greener, sustainable future.”
On the interactive element of the exhibition, where visitors can contribute their own ideas, Chris Jeffs said: “It’s important that we give people a voice in shaping their green future, so we are delighted to be working with the Scottish Wildlife Trust and the City of Edinburgh Council, giving all our exhibition visitors the chance to share their ‘visions of future green spaces’ directly with the council to help them in their ‘Thriving Green Spaces’ project.”
Donya Davidson, Ecologist and Project Development Officer at Scottish Wildlife Trust for the ‘Thriving Green Spaces Project’ in Edinburgh’ said: “Working with local artists has been incredible.
“I think communicating through the medium of art is a really impactful way to demonstrate the work we are doing as ecologists. This exhibition has opened my eyes to how beneficial and exciting it can be to collaborate with artists and those outside of the environmental sector.
“Our work at the Scottish Wildlife Trust with the City of Edinburgh Council has shown that our existing green spaces already provide so many benefits to both people and wildlife and the right interventions in the right places can improve even more areas to provide these benefits.
“The artwork I collaborated on, Leith Walk on the Wild Side, shows Leith Walk, but not as people know it now! It is thriving with wildlife and residents are out enjoying all the new greenspace they now have on their doorsteps.
“The nationally scarce northern brown argus butterfly, previously only found in Holyrood Park, now moves freely down the street from planter to planter. Although it is an aspirational vision, I hope it is something we can see in the not-so-distant future, for a connected, biodiverse and sustainable Edinburgh.”
Sarah Hannis, illustrator of ‘Leith Walk on the Wild Side’ said: “It was great working with Donya and learning about all the green initiatives in Edinburgh. At a time when so much news is negative it has been really uplifting to be involved in this project – learning about connecting up habitats in urban areas, and the small but significant ways that local residents can contribute.
“Leith Walk is currently one of the least green parts of Edinburgh so I re-imagined it totally green! Green paths with wildflower areas lie to either side.
“Building eves are lined with swift nesting boxes and each window has its own planter with pollinator-friendly plants. Nest boxes and bug hotels hang on every wall and there’s even a small pond.
“The whole street becomes a thriving green wildlife corridor, boosting biodiversity and all the human wellness benefits that come from immersing ourselves in nature and coexisting alongside it.”
Diane Cassidy, Green Spaces Development Officer for Edinburgh’s Thriving Green Spaces Project at the City of Edinburgh Council said: “We’re excited to be part of this fantastic exhibition with the British Ecological Society.
“The artworks’ inspiring visions of nature-based solutions, combined with the voices of visitors to the exhibition will be incredibly valuable to us in our ongoing ‘Thriving Green Spaces’ project which aims to improve Edinburgh’s green spaces and ultimately the lives of local people.”
BES is planning to introduce the idea in other UK cities later this year and present the exhibition as part of COP26.
Other BES events at the Edinburgh Science Festival
Alongside the virtual gallery, the BES will be hosting five other online events and contributing to an outdoor photography exhibition, all completely free to attend.
12 June – 21 July. Human Nature exhibition. Experience giant images in the photography exhibition along the picturesque location of Edinburgh’s Portobello Promenade, featuring contributions from the BES ‘Capturing Ecology Competition’.
Tuesday 29 June. Flea Circus: the smallest show on Earth. Dr Tim Cockerill talks audiences through the history of flee circuses, a genuine spectacle, made up of live fleas pulling chariots, riding tricycles and even fighting duels with miniature swords.
Saturday 3 July. NatureCast. A family friendly interactive broadcast where participants can take part in fun activities, they can do at home or outside, while discovering fascinating connections between nature and people.
Sunday 4 July. The Big Ecology Draw-along. Join our presenter, zoologist and science communicator Sophie Pavelle, and nature-artists Hana Ayoob and Lauren Cook to learn how to draw incredible plants, fungi and animals, following their simple step-by-step tutorials.
Wednesday 7 July. ECOmedy night. An online comedy night where audiences can laugh and learn as you watch real scientists showcase their knowledge about animals, plants, and their interactions with our planet.
Thriving green spaces project
The City of Edinburgh Council is leading on a project to create a new vision for the city’s green spaces. This will be captured in a 30-year strategy which aligns with Edinburgh’s 2050 city vision.
The project is being achieved by a £899,500 grant from the Heritage Fund and the Natural Trust. They have joined together to provide funding to local authorities to develop bold, innovative and financial management solutions for their green spaces. You can read more about this on the Heritage Fund Website or see Future Parks Initiative or National Trust
What will we do
The project will run for two years until May 2021. The funding is being used to recruit a project team and buy in professional expertise to
carry out research and studies
start pilots
gather robust baseline information
which will create thriving green spaces 2050 vision and strategy for Edinburgh.
To deliver this project we are working with our project bid partners
greenspace Scotland
Scottish Wildlife Trust
Edinburgh and Lothians Greenspace Trust
University of Edinburgh
Edinburgh green spaces forum
who are the group for the city’s various Friends of Groups.
Our work will determine how our green spaces need to change so that they play an active role in delivering greater benefits in areas such as
An additional grant is now available for taxi and private hire vehicle owners/operators.
This is in addition to the two £1,500 grants (over £12m Scottish Government funding) and further payments of £1,000 (just over £4.4m of the Council’s Edinburgh Discretionary Business Support Fund) the council has allocated to each taxi and private hire driver since the start of the pandemic last March.
Vehicle owners and operators can apply for a grant of up to £10,000 each, dependent on the number of vehicles their companies operate.
Cllr Catherine Fullerton, Convenor of Regulatory Committee, said: “We’re delighted the Scottish Government has responded so positively to our requests for further support for the taxi and private hire industry.
“We know all businesses have had such difficult time over the last 16 months and it was great to see drivers initially receive a £1,500 grant in April from the Scottish Government totalling over £6m.
“We were delighted to be able to make additional payments of £1,000 each from our Discretionary Business Support Fund, totalling just over £4.4m. We also welcomed the extension of the Scottish Government funding allowing us to pay out a further £1,500 again to all drivers last week.
“I would encourage vehicle owners and operators to apply for this welcome further funding via our website.“
The City of Edinburgh Council has committed to establish a Low Emission Zone (LEZ), reducing the carbon footprint of public transport and the new Lothian electric buses are a statement of intent for the city’s transport network.
The launch of these buses will play a big part in the city’s green transport infrastructure.
Through the Green Economy Fund, SP Energy Networks is investing in the communities that it serves to support the UK and Scottish governments’ green energy ambitions. It also contributes to government plans to meet climate change targets, boost local economic growth, improve air quality across the country and deliver a better future, quicker for our communities.
SP Energy Networks is part of the ScottishPower group, a Principal Partner for the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) to be held in Glasgow in four months’ time.
It is developing an energy model that will play a significant role towards reaching the UK’s world-leading climate change targets and is investing a total of £10billion in the clean energy generation and networks infrastructure needed to help the UK decarbonise and reach Net Zero emissions.
The new electric buses were built by Alexander Dennis, Britain’s biggest bus builder, at its Falkirk factory and will benefit from a smart management system which allows reduction in well-to-wheel greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption.
Transport Minister Graeme Dey, who attended the official launch of the new electric fleet at Dynamic Earth, said: “Scotland was one of the first countries in the world to declare a global climate emergency and with projects like this we continue to show our commitment to reducing emissions.
“As the country comes out of the pandemic and restrictions continue to ease, it is essential that our recovery is a green one, which has returning to public transport at its heart. This all-electric service is welcome news both for Edinburgh bus users and the environment.
“It’s also fantastic to see private sector organisations collaborate to tackle climate change. The funding from SP Energy Networks to support Lothian’s electric fleet with buses made in Falkirk is very much an initiative to be welcomed and encouraged.’’
Guy Jefferson, Chief Operating Officer at SP Energy Networks, said: “This is an historic moment in Edinburgh’s journey to Net Zero. The four new electric double decker buses will serve one of the busiest bus routes in the capital and provide a blueprint for other routes across the city.
“Edinburgh has ambitious plans to be a leading UK Net Zero emissions city by 2030 but for that to happen there needs to be big changes. The introduction of this new technology will improve air quality and noise pollution while supporting the city’s green recovery from the pandemic.
“We are committed to collaborating with government and industry to harness the knowledge, skills and resources we need to tackle climate change. Net Zero is now the prism through which we take all our business decisions. It’s one of the key drivers of our decision to become a Principal Partner of the COP26 global climate change conference, which is taking place in Scotland later this year.
“By working with our partners in Edinburgh and across Scotland through initiatives such as this we can deliver the cleaner, greener and better future we all want, quicker.”
Nigel Serafini, Interim Managing Director at Lothian Buses, said: “Across the last decade, Lothian has removed around 15,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide from our carbon footprint through our fleet replacement strategies, and the introduction of Edinburgh’s first fully electric double decker buses allows us to continue on this journey, further reducing our impact on the environment.
“These new buses are fitted with the most advanced zero emissions technology and the introduction of these vehicles across our Service 10 further cements our commitment to meet the requirements of the Scottish Government and The City of Edinburgh Council’s climate change strategies.
“We’re delighted to have been able to partner with SP Energy Networks’ Green Economy Fund on this project and look forward to working with them again in the future.”
Transport and Environment Convener Councillor Lesley Macinnessaid: “This is a really exciting step forward for the city’s public transport network, and our own ambitions to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2030.
“We want to make a green recovery from the pandemic and to do this we need to encourage more people to make sustainable transport choices. These buses offer a clean, reliable and environmentally-friendly alternative to the car.
“As we work towards the introduction of a Low Emission Zone in Edinburgh too, electric and other low emission buses will be essential for transporting people to the city centre while maintaining clean, breathable air.
“In the coming months we’ll be playing an important supporting role when Glasgow hosts the major COP26 climate change conference, and it’s innovations such as these that signal our firm commitment to tackling the climate emergency.”
The new vehicles also have USB charging points, on-board audio-visual next stop announcements and free Wi-Fi to provide a better overall customer experience.
So far, 35 projects have been awarded funding from SP Energy Networks across Central and Southern Scotland.
To find out more about the Green Economy Fund and the projects it supports, please visit:
Mobile testing units for people without Covid symptoms are running at both Heart of Midlothian and Hibernian Football Clubs as cases continue to rise in the Capital.
The community testing centres are aimed at breaking the chain of transmission in areas where case numbers remain stubbornly high by tracing cases which haven’t produced any symptoms but could still be infectious.
Council Leaders today praised both football clubs for their role in helping stop the spread of the virus in their communities.
Council Leader Adam McVey said: “Just yesterday the First Minister advised that the aim is to move all parts of Scotland into Level Zero by 19 July, which is very positive news.
“We want to do everything we can to get case numbers down in Edinburgh as quickly as possible so that we can achieve that goal and enjoy fewer restrictions on our daily lives, so it’s crucial we find out where cases are – and isolate them.
“I’m delighted that both Hibs and Hearts are working closely with us and the Scottish Ambulance Service on community testing and I’d like to thank both clubs for their support and dedication to their communities’ wellbeing.”
Depute Council Leader Cammy Day said: “As things continue to open up, it’s vital we all test ourselves regularly to check we’re not carrying the virus and unwittingly putting our loved ones and community at risk.
“It’s important to remember you can still get infected even if you’re double-vaccinated, and about 1 in 3 cases won’t show any symptoms. Well done and thank you to both our much-loved clubs for teaming up with us to show Covid the red card in Edinburgh.
The drive through testing centre at the rear of the East Stand at Easter Road opened on Tuesday 22 June.
Greg McEwan, Head of Marketing and Brand Partnerships at Hibernian Football Club, said: “Hibernian are pleased to be able to partner up with the City of Edinburgh Council in their efforts to curb the virus with a pop-up testing site at the Stadium.
“Easter Road Stadium is a prominent venue within the community and indeed Edinburgh so it’s a pleasure to offer our facilities.”
Meanwhile, a mobile testing unit has been operating beside the Wheatfield Stand at Tynecastle since last week.
Ann Park, Director for Communities and Partnershipes at Heart of Midlothian Football Club, said:“Heart of Midlothian encourage everyone to take up the offer of regular community testing and are delighted to help the continued fight against COVID-19 by hosting the mobile testing centre at Tynecastle.
“If we all get tested regularly we are able to then take the necessary action to stop the spread of the virus. If you live in the local area please drop in and do your bit to help stop the spread.”
Mobile testing units offering free PCR tests are currently available at:
Walk up mobile testing unit, Heart of Midlothian Football Club, Wheatfield Stand accessed via Wheatfield Street/Place, from Thursday 17 to Sunday 27 June, 10am to 6pm
Drive though mobile testing unit at Hibernian Football Club, in the car park behind the East Stand accessed off Albion Place/Hawkhill Place from Tuesday 22 June to Monday 28 June, 9.30am to 4.30pm
Walk up mobile testing unit, North West Locality office, 8 West Pilton Gardens until Sunday 27 June, 10am to 6pm – test pick-up available
Free Covid tests are also available without appointments at the following libraries:
McDonald Road Library from Monday 14 June to Saturday 3 July (closed Sunday 27 June) 9am to 6pm – test pick-up available
Gilmerton Library from Monday 21 June to Saturday 3 July 9am to 6pm – test pick-up available
Wester Hailes Library from Monday 21 June to Saturday 3 July 9am to 6pm – test pick-up available
The first spades were put in the ground today to bring the historic former Granton Station back to life as a high-quality creative workspace at a cost of up to £4.75m.
The project will be part funded through the Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grant Fund and Town Centre Fund.
The derelict land in front of the building will also once again be used as a public square for community events and recreation to be enjoyed by residents and visitors.
The station site, due for completion by early 2022, is part of the City of Edinburgh Council’s Granton Waterfront project, a key sustainable £1.3bn regeneration of this area, which will make a significant contribution to Edinburgh’s target to become a net zero carbon city by 2030.
The Council has also been working with the Granton History:Hub to create a temporary exhibition on the hoarding detailing the history of the building and Granton Gasworks.
Cllr Cammy Day, Depute Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “I’m pleased to see work starting now as the wider Granton Waterfront project is really taking off.
“We’ve already got three affordable housing sites underway and the former gasholder is illuminated now as a beacon of light for the project for everyone visiting the area to see.
“This is shaping up to be one of Scotland’s leading sustainable new districts and being built at the Waterfront it really will be another fantastic place to live, work and visit in Edinburgh.
“We’re speaking to the local community every step of the way on the Granton Waterfront regeneration and we’ve just finished consulting on a new name for the new public square outside the former station, which we’ll be announcing shortly.”
Cllr Adam McVey, Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “It’s great to see work starting to bring this much loved Edwardian building back to life to serve the community it’s central to once again.
“The former Granton Station has a rich industrial heritage which we’re going to display on the site hoardings while work continues. The project will provide a number of jobs while construction is ongoing and the future new enterprise will generate valuable quality local employment opportunities for Edinburgh.”
Phil McDowell, Regional Director at Kier Regional Building North & Scotland, said: “Granton station dates back to the Edwardian times, it’s an important historical building for Edinburgh and we are proud to be renovating it into a modern work space that will once again effectively support the local community.
“We will work collaboratively with Edinburgh Council and our local supply chain partners to deliver this important project which will support the wider transformation of Granton Waterfront.”
Councillor Lesley Macinnes, Transport and Environment Convener, explains Edinburgh’s proposals for a Low Emission Zone:
Every year, Clean Air Day gives us pause for thought. Is it acceptable that poor air quality affects the health and wellbeing of some of our most vulnerable members of society, linking to hundreds of deaths across Scotland each year?
This moment has been years in the making and follows a great deal of evidence-led research, in close partnership with Transport Scotland, the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) and a range of other organisations.
In 2019, when we consulted on our initial proposals, people told us how important cleaner air is to them, reinforcing the need for action. But they also shared concerns and questions about the original proposals for city centre and citywide LEZs, and how they’d be implemented.
We’ve taken this feedback into account to develop objectives for the LEZ scheme, notably a reduction in NO2 and greenhouse gas emissions, but also to minimise any resulting traffic displacement and, importantly, to align with our broader sustainable transport ambitions.
Working to these objectives and in line with the National Modelling Framework set by SEPA, officers have spent months appraising LEZ options for Edinburgh, incorporating traffic, emissions and air dispersion modelling to assess the impacts of any scheme.
As a result, a city centre LEZ, applying to all motor vehicles except motorcycles and mopeds, has been put forward.
This is different from our original proposal in that it doesn’t include a citywide option affecting only commercial vehicles. This decision wasn’t taken lightly but was led by the evidence. For a start, air quality is getting better across the city, which is having a positive impact on Air Quality Management Areas outside of the centre.
Analysis of commercial-type fleet shows improvements are already being made – in 2020 up to 95% of Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) were compliant, while smaller vans had increased in compliance from 7% in 2016 to 48%. Buses are becoming more efficient too, with a commitment from Lothian Buses to be fully compliant by the end of this year and 60% of all other companies’ coach and bus fleet currently meeting LEZ requirements.
These findings are promising and reflect the air quality benefits experienced in other cities, where LEZs have had a knock-on effect on the surrounding areas, with cleaner vehicles entering the zone and travelling further afield, spreading the benefits.
The preferred option means we can focus resources on the densely populated city centre, where traffic pollution is highest and where many people are subject to its negative effects.
If approved by committee (it was – Ed.), we’ll be carrying out a public consultation in the coming months, with a view to introducing an LEZ by spring next year. To help people adjust to the changes we’ll be allowing a grace period, which has been extended from one year to two to support the city’s economic recovery post-pandemic. Exemptions for blue badge holders and other essential vehicles will be in place too.
Though the LEZ will mean a step-change for the way we tackle poor air quality in the Capital, it’s just one of a range of tools to reduce air pollution. As part of our City Mobility Plan we’re focused on facilitating and promoting healthy, sustainable travel, while City Centre Transformation, along with associated projects to improve walking and cycling infrastructure, will create a truly people-friendly city.
It’s through initiatives like these that we’ll be able to enjoy an environment worthy of Clean Air Day in years to come.
This article first appeared in the Edinburgh Evening News
Amey’s Edinburgh Street Lighting team have been working with the City of Edinburgh Council to upgrade over 64,000 LED streetlights since the contract went live in 2018 with works creating 20-year savings in excess of £54million. But it’s the difference the team is making to local communities that is a light bulb moment.
Through the unique way the contract was modelled the teams have undertaking over 35 community activities, each benefiting from time devoted to social value – enabling the team to give back to local people and communities.
The upgrading and maintenance programme began in June 2018 and has involved more than 55,000 street lightings, approximately 1,600 street lighting column replacements and various auxiliary electrical elements throughout the streets of Edinburgh in Scotland.
In addition to installing the most up-to-date LED technology, the team has also installed a dynamic street lighting control management system that allows for centralised, more efficient management of the lighting, reducing the need for people to report faults as these are now being automatically picked up. These maintenance repair works has helped the city to reduce CO2 emissions in compliance with SEEP (Scotland’s Energy Efficiency Programme).
However, the unique way the contract was modelled has meant that the street lighting team have been directly involved in helping local communities and initiatives through putting social value at the forefront during the tendering stages of contract development.
Social value on Edinburgh Street Lighting contract is measured by a points-based system. Amey committed to achieving 720 community benefit points throughout the duration of the three-year contract, which is due to end this year, and has to date surpassed expectations by achieving 1,764 points.
Points are obtained through Amey’s street lighting team being involved in local events and participating in community projects.
Some of the activities the team have been involved with include attending careers fair, Christmas gift collections, foodbank collections to upgrading a play area for children with both physical and mental disabilities to assisting painting a homeless shelter and upgrading the lighting at a neighbourhood centre and at a Scout hall.
During COVID, involvement in social value programmes weren’t put on hold either, the team adapted to the challenge and hosted virtual quizzes to raise money for prostate cancer and were involved in local foodbank collections for example.
A Spokesperson for the City of Edinburgh Council said:“Community Benefits are at the heart of this Contract and are measured in Community Benefits Points.
“Amey have taken this role seriously and have actively participated in events, carrying out improvement works in community setting and have received much praise from those whom they have helped. Currently, Amey have secured approximately 50 per cent more points than they are contractually obliged to.”
Nick Powell Account Director for Amey’s Street Lighting business said: “Working in collaboration with the City of Edinburgh Council has been the key to the success of this contract partnership which started in June 2018.
“Fully immersing ourselves in community life has enabled us to deliver a successful community programme which has seen the team volunteer their time at community days, career fairs Christmas gift and foodbank collections as well as upgrading a play area for children with both physical and mental disabilities – activities our team are proud to have been involved with. Due to the way the contract was set up – it’s given our teams the opportunity to be fully immersed within the communities that we serve.”
Amey recognises the opportunity to have a positive impact on the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of the communities in which it operates. It has recently released it’s 2020 Social Value Plan which outlines its achievements in this space to date and ambitions for the years ahead.
For more information about Amey’s commitment to social value visit:
