“Of course, no final decision on taking trams to Newhaven, or not, will be made until much later in the year”
More than three thousand people have shared their views in a six-week long consultation about plans for taking trams to Newhaven. Edinburgh citizens either attended one of the information events, sent in their comments by email or completed the consultation online on the Council’s Consultation Hub. Continue reading Three thousand people have their say on Trams to Newhaven
The city council’s #TramsToNewhaven consultation closes TODAY!
Let them know what you think at https://consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/sfc/tramstonewhaven/ …
Low-income families with young children will receive increased payments, digital smartcards and access to a wider range of foods under new proposals. The Scottish Government is consulting on plans to reshape the Welfare Foods Scheme, which aims to help families access a healthy diet. Continue reading Have your say on Welfare Foods Scheme proposals
Monday 16 April 10am – 2pm
Royston Wardieburn Community Centre
The next #TramsToNewhaven public information event takes place tomorrow (Tuesday 3 April) at McDonald Road Library from 10am – 4pm. Continue reading Trams to Newhaven? Have your say at McDonald Road Library tomorrow
Three alternative options have been developed by the City of Edinburgh Council for the future of schools in the west and south west of the city. These options have resulted from the widespread informal consultation across the various school and local communities since an original proposal was published in November.
The Scottish Parliament’s Equalities and Human Rights Committee is holding an inquiry to explore what more the Scottish Parliament can do to promote and protect human rights, and they want to hear your views. Continue reading Share your views on Human Rights
A little bit late this month but hopefully worth the wait following our biggest ever meeting (writes BILL RODGER). Continue reading Trinity CC’s best ever attended meeting discusses Wardie Playing Fields proposals
Edinburgh has lost 60% of it’s bank branches in just seven years
The closure of more than a third of Scotland’s banks since 2010 is set to come under the microscope, as the Scottish Parliament’s Economy, Jobs and Fair Work Committee calls on local businesses and consumers to ‘speak out’ on the impact on local communities and economic growth. Continue reading Speak out on bank closures, urges Holyrood committee
‘Survey showed that a majority of residents think trams will make a positive difference to Leith’
Starting later this month, a major local consultation exercise will seek feedback on (a) traffic management and business support plans for the construction period and (b) the outline road layout for Leith Walk and the rest of the route.
The consultation comes as the results of an independent survey carried out in Leith are published, showing that the majority of respondents believe Leith would benefit from the introduction of a tram.
However the vast majority of those interviewed – 91% – said they are satisfied with current transport provision on Leith Walk.
From 19 March, six weeks of public consultation and engagement will provide the public, businesses and wider stakeholders with general information on the project, an opportunity to meet the team and specific details around traffic management during construction, support for business proposals and the outline road layout, ahead of final plans being drawn up.
Views will be sought on traffic management and phasing currently proposed, including proposals for the closure of Leith Walk northbound and a single lane open southbound, along with the closure of sections of Constitution Street, for approximately 18 months during construction.
The traffic management proposals have been drawn up following in-depth traffic modelling and discussions with key partners and stakeholders, including bus companies, local community groups, businesses and elected members.
The plans include support for businesses who will be most affected by the works, including provision for parking and loading between worksites, an Open for Business campaign, on-street customer service staff, logistics hubs and financial support.
Views will also be sought on the plans for the permanent design of the street along the route, including a dedicated public transport-only lane on Leith Walk for tram and bus during morning and evening rush hour.
This is the first stage in a consultation process that is scheduled to continue through to the end of 2018.
Transport Convener Councillor Lesley Macinnes said: “When the Outline Business Case was approved by Council in September we pledged to dedicate the following year or so (ahead of the final decision) to establishing mutually beneficial relationships with local residents and businesses who would be most affected by construction works.
“We’ve been working very closely with the local community and our partners ever since to model traffic management plans and look at options for supporting businesses as much as possible if the project goes ahead.
“These plans have been developed taking on board lessons learned from the first phase of tramworks and the current traffic management arrangements in place around Leith Street.
“The recent Leith survey showed that a majority of residents think trams will make a positive difference to Leith.
“However, there are clearly some very real concerns about disruption and congestion during construction. This consultation gives people the chance to help shape how we manage things if and when work gets under way. We hope as many people as possible will have their say, either at one of our four information events or via the Consultation Hub, which will host the consultation from 19 March.”
The consultation will include:
28,000 letters delivered to residential addresses in the area surrounding the planned tram route
4 public information events*
4 local business forums
– 4 community council briefings
LEITH SURVEY
In November 2017, the project team commissioned an independent survey to understand local behaviours and attitudes towards Tram to Newhaven. Research done by Progressive Partnership – 368 ten-minute on-street interviews carried out on three different stretches of Leith Walk.
*Public information events
Thursday 22 March: Leith Theatre, 11am – 6pm
Tuesday 3 April: McDonald Road Library, 10am – 4pm
Thursday 12 April: Leith Community Education Centre, 3pm – 9pm
Saturday 21 April: Ocean Terminal, 12 noon – 5pm
