Tag: consultation

Last chance to have your say as Tram Route consultation closes on Monday

ROSEBURN PATH OR ORCHARD BRAE?

A major public consultation on the future development of Edinburgh’s tram network closes on Monday (17 November). The consultation began on 25 August and ran for 12 weeks.

The Council are seeking the public’s views on the proposed new tram routes from Granton in the north of the city to the Edinburgh BioQuarter and Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh in the south.

A detailed business case was developed to extend the existing route from Edinburgh Airport to Newhaven, which was successfully completed in 2023 and now carries over a million passengers a month.

This consultation will inform the development of a Strategic Business Case (SBC) for the expansion, which will then be presented to the Transport and Environment Committee in 2026.

The proposed new route can be broken down into three main sections:

Granton to the city centre:

From Granton to Ferry Road / Crewe Toll there is a single route. From Ferry Road / Crewe Toll to the following section, two alternative route options are being considered: the Orchard Brae corridor or the Roseburn Path.

For Orchard Brae, the route would head to the west end of Princes Street along Orchard Brae, Queensferry Road (via the Dean Bridge) and Queensferry Street.  

It is estimated that this option would cost between £650m – £850m and is forecast to carry around 3.75m passengers per annum by 2042.

For Roseburn Path, the route connects to the existing line west of Haymarket via an old railway line which winds from Ferry Road/Crewe Toll before reaching Craigleith and heading towards the west end and city centre.

This option is estimated to cost between £350m-£480m and is forecast to carry around 4.25m passengers per annum by 2042.

In February 2024, the Roseburn Path was initially identified as the preferred route, however Transport and Environment Committee instructed that the consultation should present objectively the pros and cons of both the Roseburn and Orchard Brae routes.

It also examines the potential to install high quality walking, wheeling and cycling alongside the tramline on the Roseburn Path, and look at the potential to protect and enhance the local ecological network.

The entire route is forecast to cost between £2bn-2.9bn, depending on the final options selected, and carry around 38m passengers by 2042.

City centre to BioQuarter and Royal Infirmary:

The proposed route would begin at Princes Street on the existing tram infrastructure, allowing bus and rail interchange in the heart of the city centre.

The route would then cross the North Bridge, and run through Nicolson Street, Newington and on to Cameron Toll, then west towards the BioQuarter and Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.

Potential extensions to Midlothian and East Lothian:

We’re working closely with Midlothian and East Lothian Councils and SEStran, the regional transport partnership, regarding potential future mass transit connections beyond the BioQuarter and Royal Infirmary.

This includes exploring a ‘tram-train’ (a light rail vehicle than can operate on tram and rail tracks) concept with Network Rail on the old Edinburgh South Suburban Railway (ESSR).

Other potential options include connections with Musselburgh Railway station and Queen Margaret University (QMU) in East Lothian and to Shawfair with interchange opportunities into Midlothian and the Scottish Borders.

Speaking at the launch of the consultation, Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Stephen Jenkinson said: “I’m pleased that we’ve reached this key stage for extending our multi award-winning tram service.

We need to prepare for the future. Edinburgh is the fastest growing city in Scotland, with more than 60,000 new residents expected over the next 20 years. Whilst this shift is a true sign of our success, it brings real pressure on our communities, and crucially on the city’s transport infrastructure on which we all rely.

“Managing this growth also means tackling the climate, nature and housing emergencies. To meet these significant challenges, we need to look for bold and ambitious solutions and the tram extension is central to this.

“Edinburgh Trams already offers a reliable and fast service, allowing residents and visitors to move around sustainably and efficiently, and with some of the cheapest fares in the country. The broader benefits of cleaner air and emphasis on active travel surrounding the network are equally as important.

“Our overarching vision is to truly link our city for the benefit of all. From our flagship £1.3bn development at Granton Waterfront through to the city centre, our world-famous universities, cultural hubs, brilliant local businesses, new housing developments, hospitals and beyond; our transport network must move with the times.

“The new developments we will see along the tram route will be key to Edinburgh’s prosperity for generations to come.

“I’d encourage everyone to engage with this consultation and help to shape the next chapter in the history of Edinburgh’s transport.”

The full details of all the sections mentioned above can be found in the consultation papers.

Residents can give their views until Monday 17 November online on our Consultation Hub.

The next step, should members agree on the SBC, would be to move to the next stage of development, as set out by Transport Scotland, which is the OBC.  

Local community invited to QMU’s online forum

Local residents and community representatives are warmly invited to Queen Margaret University’s online Community Forum on Tuesday 18 November 2025 from 6:30pm to 7:45pm. 

This twice-yearly event offers a unique chance to hear University updates, explore partnership opportunities, and share ideas about how QMU can best serve and collaborate with its surrounding communities.

This autumn’s Forum will take place on Microsoft Teams and will feature a presentation from Ann Turner, Senior Lecturer and Programme Lead in QMU’s Media Communication and Performing Arts Division.

Ann will showcase ways that local organisations can benefit from working with QMU students and share examples of impactful projects delivered in partnership with community groups and businesses.

In particular, she will highlight opportunities for collaboration with undergraduate and postgraduate students in marketing and communications, who can support organisations by:

  • Developing promotional strategies to reach target audiences;
  • Designing digital assets such as social media content;
  • And creating short promotional films or podcasts.

The event will also provide space for open discussion, inviting attendees to share their perspectives on QMU’s role in the community and explore how relationships can be deepened for mutual benefit.

Jane Scott, Director of Marketing and Communications at QMU, said: “The Community Forum is a chance for us to listen as much as we share.

“We want to hear directly from our neighbours, learn about their priorities, and explore how QMU can work alongside the community to make a positive difference in East Lothian and beyond.

“By working together, we can strengthen relationships, support local organisations, create opportunities and ensure that QMU continues to play an active role in the life of our community.”

QMU welcomes both regular participants and new members of the community to join the Forum. To attend, please register by emailing marketing@qmu.ac.uk. A Microsoft Teams link will then be sent to you, giving access to the meeting on the day.

Consultations launched on key Make Work Pay measures

New bereavement and pregnancy protections to be shaped by businesses and workers

  • Public invited to share views on reforms including dismissal protections for pregnant women and new mothers at work, and bereavement leave.
  • Business and workers to shape trade union reforms, including employer duty to inform workers of their right to join a union.
  • Reforms will help establish a modern-day workplace, central to the Government’s vision of growth and national renewal as part of the Plan for Change.

Businesses and workers are today [Thursday 23 October] being asked to share their views on how employment reforms, including bereavement leave and enhanced dismissal protections for pregnant women and new mothers, should work in practice.

Every parent should feel secure at work. Yet thousands of pregnant women and new mothers face significant risks to their job security – research has found up to 54,000 mothers a year may be dismissed, made redundant or treated so poorly at work they have felt they have to leave.

New legislation will make it unlawful to dismiss pregnant women, those on maternity leave, and mothers returning to work for at least six months, except in specific circumstances. Today’s consultation will seek views on how this should work in practice.

The UK Government’s plan to Make Work Pay will bring our employment rights’ legislation into the 21st century, extending the employment protections already given by the best British companies to millions more workers across the country.

Business Secretary, Peter Kyle said: “Many, many businesses already ensure their employees have security and dignity at work. That is particularly important in the precious early days of having children or, at the other end of the spectrum, if they experience tragedy and grief.

“What we’re launching today are vital steps to ensure everyone gets that dignity at work and feels the benefits of economic growth, delivering on our Plan for Change.

“We’re committed to working in full partnership with businesses and unions to get the detail right on these reforms, because strong employment rights and a growing economy go hand in hand.”

Reforms will also be introduced to ensure workers have a right to time away from work to grieve – including those who experience pregnancy loss before 24 weeks.

The loss of a loved one is a deeply personal experience that impacts everyone differently. In some cases, people may need to take time and space away from work to grieve; while in other cases, people may prefer to continue working as normal.

There will also be the chance for stakeholders to feed in views on a new duty for workers to be informed by their employers of their right to join a trade union, as well as on the new framework that allows trade unions to request access to a workplace.

Employment Rights Minister, Kate Dearden said: “No family should ever be denied the time and space to grieve – and no mother should face penalties at work for choosing to have children.

“I know brilliant businesses and unions across the country will welcome the chance to give their views on these reforms – those who know that happy, well-paid and loyal staff are at the heart of building successful companies, driving growth that benefits all.”

Circular Economy Strategy consultation

Draft plan to increase reuse and recycling whilst growing the economy

Proposals aimed at creating new jobs and driving economic growth by keeping materials and goods in use for as long as possible have been published for consultation.

The draft Circular Economy Strategy sets out plans to increasing reuse, repair and recycling rates, for example by:

  • increasing the reuse of construction materials
  • supporting sustainable alternatives to fast-fashion
  • increasing EV battery re-purposing, recycling and material reprocessing
  • exploring ways to cut food waste

The draft Strategy will develop sector specific road-maps for four of the five sectors with the greatest potential for increasing reuse, repair and recycling rates in Scotland – the built environment, net zero energy infrastructure, textiles and food. Actions for the fifth sector, transport, will be included in the forthcoming draft Climate Change Plan.

Climate Action Secretary Gillian Martin said: “Reducing, reusing and recycling materials has a huge role to play in Scotland’s response to tackling the climate crisis.

“It also brings huge benefits to households and communities – from lowering the costs of items and creating new jobs to cutting the amount of litter on our streets, helping to improve our local environment and protect wildlife.  

“By supporting Scotland to move towards a culture where keeping materials and goods in use for as long as possible is the norm, we will also be able to drive economic growth by increasing the resilience of our supply-chains and encouraging innovation.

“This consultation outlines priority sectors key to cutting waste and capitalising on the economic opportunities that a circular economy presents to businesses. I urge everyone to take part.”

Take part in the consultation: A Draft Circular Economy Strategy for Scotland – gov.scot

Flight path changes for Edinburgh?

Edinburgh Airport Airspace Change Programme (FASI)

The UK’s airspace is being upgraded as part of the UK Government’s Airspace Modernisation Strategy. Eighteen UK airports, including Edinburgh Airport, are modernising their routes to make our airspace more efficient.

As part of this process, a consultation on the proposals will run from Monday 20 October 2025 until Sunday 25 January 2026. Information on the Civil Aviation Authority proposals is available on these pages and in our virtual room.

The Citizen Space consultation website address has been updated for this airspace change proposal. The updated web address is:

https://airspacechange.caa.co.uk/PublicProposalArea?pID=163

A drop-in session, organised by Edinburgh Airport, has been arranged for Friday 14th November 2025 (2pm-8pm) in Cramond Kirk Hall where representatives will be available to explain & discuss further.

Holyrood Committee seek views on Bill which seeks to regulate cosmetic procedures industry

Holyrood’s Health, Social Care and Sport Committee is seeking views on a Bill which would mean cosmetic treatments such as fillers, Botox, chemical peels and microneedling would be subject to greater regulation.

The Non-surgical Procedures and Functions of Medical Reviewers (Scotland) Bill is seeking to regulate the provision of certain non-surgical procedures, where a non-surgical procedure is defined as a procedure that pierces or penetrates an individual’s skin.

If passed, it would mean the treatments identified by the Bill would have to be administered by a registered healthcare professional, in a registered healthcare setting.

The Bill would make it illegal for under-18s to receive these treatments.

The Bill would also introduce enforcement powers for authorities and would give Scottish Ministers powers to impose further restrictions or to change the list of procedures covered by the Bill, through regulations.

Some of the procedures covered by the Bill include:

  • Ablative laser treatment e.g. laser skin resurfacing
  • Cellulite subcision e.g. cellulite dimple removal or Cellfina®
  • Chemical peel e.g. skin peel or facial peel
  • Dermal microcoring e.g. Ellacor® Treatment, removal of tiny cores of skin using hollow needles.
  • Injectable procedure e.g. Botox® injections, dermal fillers (including non-surgical Brazilian Butt Lift)
  • Intravenous procedure e.g. IV drip therapy, beauty IV drips
  • Microneedling e.g. skin needling, Dermapen® microneedling
  • Thread Lift e.g. PDO (Polydioxanone), PLLA (Poly-L-Lactic Acid), cat or fox eye thread lift

Speaking as the call for views was launched, Clare Haughey MSP, Convener of the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee, said: “Our Committee is aware that the use and administering of non-surgical procedures for cosmetic purposes has grown hugely in popularity over the last few years.

“But we are also aware of concerns that there may be risks when those providing treatments aren’t suitably trained to do so.

“This Scottish Government Bill proposes to strengthen the regulation of who can receive and administer these treatments, and where these can be carried out.

“We are seeking the views of business owners on how this could impact their business. We’re keen to hear the experiences of individuals who receive these treatments, whether positive or negative, on how the changes proposed could impact them.

“We are also keen to gather the views of health professionals and organisations on whether they support the proposals in the Bill. So please get in touch.”

Respond to the call for views:

Non-surgical Procedures and Functions of Medical Reviewers (Scotland) Bill – Scottish Parliament – Citizen Space

The call for views closes on 14 November.

Tram extension: Have Your Say

TUESDAY 28th OCTOBER 4 – 7pm DRYLAW NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE

A public consultation on the future development of Edinburgh’s tram network is running until 17 November 2025.

The proposed new tram route would run from Granton to the Edinburgh BioQuarter and Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and potentially beyond into the city region and the project is keen to hear views from local people.

Members of the project team will be at Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre on Tuesday 28 October 2025 from 4pm – 7pm to answer your questions.

Trams consultation: Local drop-in session added in Drylaw

The city council has added a further Drop-in Session on the North-South Tramline  Consultation Proposals following a request by Drylaw Telford Community Council.

More than 40 people attended last week’s community council meeting to discuss tram line options for the area, but planned guest speaker Cllr Stephen Jenkinson, the city council’s Transport and Environment convener, was unable to attend and submitted his apologies on the afternoon of the meeting.

The council is proposing a north – south tram route which would run from Granton, through the city centre, out to the Edinburgh BioQuarter and Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh via Cameron Toll, and potentially beyond into the city region.

The meeting – the best-attended community council event for some years – went ahead and called for a local drop-in event for Drylaw Telford residents in line with those staged at Blackhall Primary School, Granton Station and North Edinburgh Arts.

The community council has also submitted a list of questions raised by residents at the meeting for a council response.

As a result, another local Drop-in will take place on: 

Tuesday 28th October

from 4 – 7pm in Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre

There will also be another opportunity see what is being proposed and to make comments at Bristo Baptist Church on Wednesday 29 October from 4 – 7pm.

 

People across Edinburgh and Lothians invited to help shape the future of Scotland’s historic sites and collections in state care

  • Historic Environment Scotland (HES) launches consultation to guide how Scotland’s historic places, objects and archives are cared for and used
  • Public input will influence long-term decisions on managing Scotland’s heritage, and supporting communities across Edinburgh and the Lothians

Historic Environment Scotland (HES) is inviting people across Edinburgh and the Lothians to help shape the future of some of the nation’s most important historic places and collections through a new public consultation.

HES looks after more than 300 historic sites and over 50,000 related objects and archival records, including sites such as Edinburgh and Craigmillar Castles and Linlithgow Palace on behalf of the people of Scotland.

The responses will help inform HES’s Properties and Collections Strategy: Towards Sustainable Stewardship, a long-term plan for how historic places, objects and archives are cared for, used and managed for generations to come.

By sharing their views, people will help HES understand how these historic places and collections matter to communities across Edinburgh and the Lothians, and ensure they’re cared for in ways that benefit future generations.

HES’s new strategy comes at a time when Scotland’s historic environment is facing significant challenges, including climate change and rising costs, to a shortage of traditional skills needed to maintain heritage sites.

At the same time, new technologies are opening up exciting ways to connect with wider audiences through digital access and interpretation.

These places have clear potential to do even more for the communities they serve. Visitor expectations are also evolving, with growing interest in sustainable tourism and more inclusive storytelling.

The consultation gives the public a chance to influence how HES responds to current challenges, makes informed decisions about the care of its historic sites and collections, and ensures those decisions reflect the needs of local communities now and in the future.

Participants will be asked for their views on HES’s proposed strategy, including its long-term vision and where the organisation should focus its efforts across its sites and collections.

Dr David Mitchell, Director of Cultural Assets at HES said: “Scotland’s historic environment requires a shared stewardship approach and the Properties in Care and the Collections associated with them represent some of the best Scotland has to offer as part of that asset base.

“We manage these cultural heritage assets on behalf of Scottish Ministers and therefore the people of Scotland through a long state care tradition.

“We have both challenges and opportunities before us and this strategy seeks to set these out and how we will deal with them going forward.

“What we choose to do will have long lasting consequences so it’s important that all views are taken into account.  We know how much these places mean to local communities, to the people of Scotland and those who visit us from overseas.

“They are truly sustainable assets for subsequent generations if we get our approach right – balancing benefits without placing the assets themselves at risk.

“That’s why we’re asking everyone to share their views. These places and objects are an integral part of Scotland’s identity and sense of place – they contribute to our economy and environment, enhance our health and wellbeing and together we have to ensure we get the right balance on what we do and how we do it.

“We’re asking everyone with an interest to take part and help shape the future stewardship approach.”

The consultation is available now on CitizenSpace and will remain open until 23 January 2026.

The final strategy is expected to be published in spring 2026.

TOMORROW: Have your say on Tram Line proposals for Drylaw

TUESDAY 7th OCTOBER from 6.30 – 8PM

at DRYLAW NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE

Drylaw Telford Community Council are holding a public meeting to find out YOUR views on proposals to extend the Edinburgh tram network.

It’s your local opportunity to hear what is being proposed and to have your say.

Guest speaker is CLLR STEPHEN JENKINSON, the city council’s Transport & Environment Convener.

ALL WELCOME!

https://consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/sfc/tram-north-south

AND DON’T FORGET:

Consultation Hub Online Survey – Drylaw Shopping Centre:

A survey for the project is currently live on The City of Edinburgh Council’s Consultation Hub and runs until 8th October – that’s THIS WEDNESDAY!

Please find a link to the survey here and to find out more: 

https://consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/sfc/drylaw-consultation