The city council is looking for views on the local housing strategy which will set out the vision for all types of homes and housing related services in the city for the next five years and beyond.
Following an initial online consultation survey, which closed on 14 June 2024, the top priorities for respondents were identified as housing supply, affordable homes and tackling homelessness.
The next phase of engagement has been shaped by the themes identified by the survey. A series of workshops have been planned to give residents another opportunity to share their views.
The first workshop will take place from 1- 2:30pm on Wednesday 25 September online and the second will be held in person from 6pm on Tuesday 1 October.
Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener Jane Meagher said:“After declaring a housing emergency last year, it has never been more important to have a strong housing strategy that reflects the views of those living in the Capital.
“There are enormous pressures on housing in Edinburgh right now and we know that it is hard for anyone looking for a social housing tenancy. Plus, Edinburgh’s private rented sector is the most expensive in Scotland, and one of the most expensive in Europe.
“We want to make sure as many people as possible have the opportunity to share their views, so I’d urge everyone to come along to a workshop and share their priorities for housing in our city.”
Join The Cockburn Association and panellists for an engaging afternoon discussion on tourism, sustainability and capacity in Edinburgh and beyond. An in-person and online event.
Edinburgh’s new on-street bus tracking system has gone live at hundreds of travel stops.All of the city’s 322 new digital trackers are now displaying real-time travel information, as well as 42 signs in Midlothian and six in West Lothian.
Making travel easier for passengers planning journeys within, to and from Edinburgh, the displays offer live departure information and will soon offer details of diverted routes and service disruptions for multiple transport operators, including train and air travel at key locations.
A further 100 signs will be installed at new locations across Edinburgh and screens will continue to be connected across South East Scotland, combining efforts to make travel throughout the region consistent.
Integrating open access to Edinburgh Travel Tracker API, developers and third parties will be able to use data from the displays for their own apps and services and the Council will monitor and fine-tune the service to keep it accurate and up to date.
Councillor Stephen Jenkinson, Edinburgh’s Transport and Environment Convener, said: “We’ve been planning to roll out our new travel trackers for some time so I’m really pleased to have the displays up and running. It has been a complex exercise to integrate all our systems, and we have needed to go through a process of testing and developing fixes, but we’re confident we now have a strong system in place.
“This is real-time data that will make journeys easier to plan for all passengers.”
THE city council is looking for views on the local housing strategy which will set out the vision for housing related services in the city for the next 5 years & beyond
Come along to one of our consultation workshops to share your thoughts.
Monday 23rd September 2024, 9.15 am – 12.30 pm (in person)
Location: City Centre venue
This workshop provides an opportunity to share an overview of the strategy, set out current thinking on key issues, challenges and priorities, share the findings of the early engagement survey and open up for break-out group discussion across a range of topics including the private rented sector, housing quality/energy efficiency, and accessible housing/independent living.
Housing supply will be considered separately in other forums and via an on-line feedback route.
For residents
LHS consultation workshop for residents
Wednesday 25th September 2024, 1pm – 2.30pm (online)
LHS overview and scene setting, break-out discussion across a range of topics and interactive visuals. The programme is being finalised and updated information will be added here shortly.
LHS Consultation workshop for residents
Tuesday 1st October 2024, 6pm – 8pm, (in person)
Location: City Centre venue
LHS overview and scene setting, break-out discussion across a range of topics and interactive visuals. The programme is being finalised and updated information will be added here shortly.
organisation and job title if attending the organisation event
We will confirm your booking and provide further information such as venue details and meeting format. Please let us know if you have any particular accessibility needs. Tea/coffee will be available at the events. Thank you for your interest.
Phase 2 online engagement survey for organisations and residents
If you are unable to attend any of these events, but would like the opportunity to share your views on housing issues and actions in Edinburgh, please email us directly at localhousingstrategy@edinburgh.gov.uk with your comments, or write to us for free – you only need to include the words; Freepost Housing Research on an envelope, by 1st October 2024.
The city council is improving the roads, pavements and drainage at Lawnmarket – between Castlehill and George IV Bridge – and Upper Bow. Work is due to start on 23 September 2024 and end in July 2025.
The improvement work includes the reconstruction of the existing natural stone setts on the streets, and will improve walking and road conditions, whilst enhancing road safety.
This will take place in four phases, which will be completed consecutively. Work will take place Monday to Saturday typically between the hours of 7.30am and 5pm.
Phase 1: 23 September – December 2024 Upper Bow – full length. Upper Bow will be closed. The Lawnmarket will continue to operate eastbound only.
Phase 2: December 2024 – February 2025 Lawnmarket – roundabout area. Road closed at the roundabout area with no through route for vehicles. Access may still be available from George IV Bridge. Deliveries to Castlehill will be via Ramsay Lane.
Phase 3: March – April 2025 Road closure of the eastern half with no through route for vehicles. Local access to the western half and Castlehill can be obtained via Johnston Terrace.
Phase 4: May – July 2025 Road closure of the western half with no through route for vehicles. Local access via Johnston Terrace – some access may be available from George IV Bridge.
Pedestrian access to the area will be maintained at all times, restrictions will be placed on vehicle access. Eastbound traffic will be maintained during phase 1, but Lawnmarket will be closed to through traffic from December 2024.
Access will be maintained at all times for emergency services vehicles.
Temporary parking restrictions will be introduced to make sure the work is done safely, with on-street signage providing details of specific restrictions.
Full details on bus access, diversion routes, loading and servicing are available on our website.
Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Stephen Jenkinson said: “Maintaining and enhancing our streets is a key priority and I’m proud that we’re taking these steps to make improvements in the Lawnmarket area.
“The Old Town is world famous for its setts and cobblestones and we need to preserve these for the future. I appreciate these works may cause some disruption for our residents, businesses and visitors so I’d like to thank them for their patience.”
Throughout the works the council says it will monitor progress and keep residents and businesses updated.
The Scottish Government, including the Scottish Safety Camera Programme, is tackling speeding on Scotland’s roads with a new road safety campaign, asking drivers in Edinburgh to slow down to help reduce collisions and casualties.
Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop, and Police Scotland’s Chief Superintendent Hilary Sloan launched the campaign at the Traffic Scotland National Control Centre in South Queensferry.
With speeding contributing to 1 in 5 deaths on Scotland’s roads1, safety cameras play a crucial role in reducing speed and casualties, ultimately saving lives.
Global research shows that camera sites led to 42% less fatal or serious injuries over a four-year period, while fixed camera sites reduced the number of speeders by 70% in the same time period.2
Speeding increases the likelihood and severity of collisions and casualties. In 2022, there were 615 fatalities or casualties on roads in Edinburgh.
Transport and Environment Convener at the City of Edinburgh Council, Councillor Stephen Jenkinson, said: “This is a really important campaign to ensure drivers here in Edinburgh and across the country properly consider their driving behaviour. By slowing down and driving more carefully we can reduce collisions and casualties on our roads.
“All drivers need to respect speed limits and always consider how weather and road conditions can impact their driving.
“We want Edinburgh to be as safe a city as possible for all road users and pedestrians and this campaign is a good step forward.”
Nearly half (44%) of reported casualties on Scotland’s roads take place on rural roads, however because speeds are higher on these roads, they account for almost three-quarters (74%) of road deaths.3
Research shows fatal collisions caused by drivers travelling at 65mph could be halved if the drivers slowed down by just 5mph.4
Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop, said: “No matter how experienced you are as a driver, collisions can happen to anyone, and the consequences could be devastating – for you, for other road users, and for loved ones.
“We’re urging drivers to consider their driving behaviour and reduce their speed, making our roads safer for everyone.”
Chief Superintendent Hilary Sloan, Head of Road Policing, said: “Speeding is always a risk. It only takes a split second to lose control and it only has to happen once.
“A collision affects more than just you and your vehicle – it impacts your family, the victim’s family, emergency services and people who witness it.
“Everyone has to take responsibility to save lives on Scotland’s roads.”
Running across TV, radio and digital channels, the campaign delivers a strong message to drivers – You only have to lose control once. The message is brought to life in a thought-provoking TV ad highlighting the split-second moment before a collision from a driver’s point of view.
For more information about the campaign, go to roadsafety.scot.
Follow Road Safety Scotland Facebook and X (formerly known as Twitter) (@roadsafetyscot) pages for more details.
Visitor Levy legislation confirmed to come into force
The commencement date of the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Act has been confirmed as Friday 20 September 2024.
Welcoming the news of the legislation soon coming into force, Council Leader Cammy Day said: “This is a once in a generation opportunity for Edinburgh and I’m pleased to see Government move quickly on this. We’re looking forward to harnessing the opportunities the new legislation will bring.
“Since the Visitor Levy Scotland Bill became an Act on 5 July, we’ve been working on our plans to run a widescale public consultation that will seek views on our draft scheme. We’ve spent many years designing a scheme that works for our city, and we’ve published details of our plans for a 5% levy on overnight stays.
“This charge could raise up to £50 million per year once established, presenting a welcome and innovative way of sustaining our tourism sector and our incredible city. I’m looking forward to people from all over the city, and the world, sharing their views.”
The Council will launch a formal 12-week public consultation on the draft Visitor Levy scheme for Edinburgh soon after the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Act commences on 20 September. The results will inform the final scheme, which will be considered by Councillors early next year.
Hundreds of homes in Edinburgh are undergoing major energy upgrades – helping to tackle fuel poverty and carbon emissions in some of the city’s most deprived areas.
Edinburgh’s ambitious multi-million-pound retrofitting roll-out and mixed tenure improvements will make council homes ‘net zero ready’ in the coming years, with measures such as external wall insulation and solar panels being installed to improve living standards in many low-rise buildings and multi-storey blocks.
Marking the Council’s latest set of insulation upgrades, the Housing, Homeless and Fair Work Convener Jane Meagher visited tenants in the North of the city to see how their homes have been transformed.
Along Crewe Road North and Crewe Road Gardens, at least £2.23 million has been invested this year towards making 90 homes in mixed tenure buildings warmer and cheaper to heat. The vast majority of these (70) are Council homes.
Funded by a mix of EES/ABS grants, owner contributions and Council funding, properties in the area have benefited from external wall insulation and in many cases replacement roofing, with all works delivered by Insulated Render Systems (IRS) in partnership with the Council, Changeworks and Home Energy Scotland.
Councillor Jane Meagher, Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, said:“It’s hard to describe the huge difference these measures will make: to the fabric and warmth of these homes, to people’s fuel bills and to the environment, and of course to the lives of everyone who lives in them now and in the future.
“By bringing these older homes up to a newer energy efficiency standard, we’re not only driving down carbon emissions, we’re clamping down on issues like damp and fuel poverty. It’s complex work but it’s vital because it prioritises our tenants and their living standards.
“It has been a pleasure to meet with some of the residents and to hear their feedback and I’m pleased to see the real difference the building work is making. The works taking place along Crewe Road are an indication of more upgrades to come. Just think what we could achieve if we were to receive the funding we need to roll this programme out even further, to improve even more of our tenants’ homes?
“I’m grateful to the partners involved in supporting this roll-out and to our tenants, whose rents help towards paying for improvements to council homes alongside grant funding. Edinburgh faces a Housing Emergency and we need to tackle it together.”
Josiah Lockhart, Chief Executive of Changeworks, said: “Changeworks has worked in partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council on a number of EES ABS projects and it’s great to see the fabric improvements made to properties here on Crewe Road.
“Ongoing high energy costs mean that these energy efficiency projects make a real difference to householders, helping them stay warm and save energy as well as reducing carbon emissions.”
Green measures have also been installed to homes in Gilmerton, where over 180 eligible private home owners and tenants are benefitting from £2.5 million investment over two years towards solar PV panels and battery energy storage, external wall insulation and upgrades to the look of buildings. Future upgrades with Changeworks are also planned for homes in the Liberton area in the year ahead.
Elsewhere in the city, at least £2.2 million has been invested by the Council to transform a block of 36 homes in Oxgangs into a modern looking, sustainable building with upgrades to the roof and coverings, external walls, stairwells, and common landings.
The Council is now looking to undertake a whole house retrofit of the multistorey blocks May and Gunnet and is carrying out design work for blocks in Leith, Mixed tenure improvements also taking place in Lochend, Restalrig and in Wester Hailes.
The city council is to repair the road surfaces and drainage on the A8 at Glasgow Road and the Ingliston interchange to improve driving conditions and enhance road safety.
Work will start on Monday 16 September and is expected to finish in March 2025.
Each phase of work will be split into two parts:
Drainage improvement work. This will take place between Mondays and Thursdays from 9.30am – 3.30pm.
Road resurfacing work. This will take place overnight between Mondays and Fridays from 7.30pm – 6.30am.
Phase 1: 16 September 2024 – 25 October 2024 A8 Eastbound – from Ingliston Interchange North West slip-road To Gogar Roundabout.
Phase 2: 28 October 2024 – 15 November 2024 Glasgow Road – From Gogar Roundabout to Maybury Road.
Phase 3: 18 November 2024 – 29 November 2024 Ingliston Interchange North East slip road.
Phase 4: 6 January 2025 – March 2025 Ingliston Interchange dumbbells and remaining slip roads.
Work will temporarily stop between 30 November and 5 January to minimise disruption during the busy festive period.
Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Stephen Jenkinson said: “We’re committed to keeping Edinburgh moving and making sure our roads are properly maintained and serviced. This is why we’re carrying out this major work on the A8 through the autumn and into the New Year.
“Whilst there may be some disruption whilst work is ongoing, this is a key arterial road and it’s essential that we make these repairs.
“I’d like to thank all road users for their patience during this time.
“I’m also conscious that this was one of the key issues raised by our residents in the recent Budget Engagement Consultation. We’re listening and fixing the roads.”
A masterplan to transform Seafield in north-east Edinburgh into a new environmentally friendly neighbourhood, was published yesterday by the Council.
The masterplan will also connect its coastline to the surrounding communities in Leith, Portobello and Craigentinny.
Currently, the area is primarily made up of car showrooms, trades, light industry as well as Lothian Buses’ Marine Depot and the Council’s Seafield Household Waste Recycling Centre. The draft ‘Seafield Place Brief’ and ‘Draft Seafield Masterplan’ have been produced to add detail to the allocation in the Council’s local development plan, City Plan 2030, as one of 44 pieces of land across Edinburgh allocated as an ‘Opportunity Site’ for development.
Planning Convener, Councillor James Dalgleish said: “Our draft plan focuses on the creation of a new environmentally friendly neighbourhood at Seafield to help address the city’s housing emergency.
“Options for higher density flats, with the clear aim of 35% of homes on site being affordable, are being explored with stunning views across the Firth of Forth alongside excellent community facilities.
“We’re estimating the site could potentially deliver as many as 2,700 homes with a range of other styles of housing such as colonies and townhouses. We’ll also make sure there are opportunities for employment and community uses.
“Our bold vision to transform this area would open up the Seafield section of Edinburgh’s coastline creating an attractive and seamless promenade linking to the waterfront communities that already exist on either side.
“I’d like to thank the local people and businesses whose views have helped get us to this stage and I look forward to receiving further feedback from the upcoming consultation to help us finalise our plans.”
A new primary school, GP surgery and plenty of green space are also proposed for Seafield as well as a Waterfront Park. Improved public transport, walking, cycling and wheeling routes linking to the wider area are also included. The provision of a heat network to help the city with its net zero target is planned. This would also help to keep utility bills down for future residents.
The area under consideration stretches from Seafield Street in the north to King’s Road in the south. The eastern boundary of the site is the Forth Estuary, while the western boundary is defined by a railway line and by Seafield Recreation Area. Seafield Road East, part of the A199, runs through much of the site. As Seafield is a coastal area, work is also ongoing with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency to make sure we mitigate against any future flood risk.
If approved for consultation by the Planning Committee next week, residents, businesses and other organisations interested in the area will be asked to give their views on the ‘Draft Seafield Place Brief’ and ‘Draft Seafield Masterplan’, developed following extensive consultation with local people and businesses.
