environment – Page 90 – The NEN

New Spaces for People plans for Braid Road

”Thanks to our ‘try then modify’ approach, we’ve been able to tweak the design” – Cllr Karen Doran

Changes to a scheme for safer travel on Braid Road will help improve journey times and reduce intrusive traffic on nearby streets, while retaining protected space for active travel, the city council has announced.

Braid Road was one of the first Spaces for People schemes to be implemented in May 2020, when it was closed to traffic to help people walk, cycle and wheel safely to and from the Hermitage of Braid while physically distancing.

Thanks to the temporary nature of the measures, officers have since been able to amend the design to reduce an observed impact on southbound bus travel on Comiston Road, as traffic levels have increased.

As part of the new layout the city council will be reopening Braid Road one-way to southbound traffic and introducing segregated cycleways, following approval by Transport and Environment Committee in January.

They will also be installing traffic calming interventions around Midmar Drive to manage the return of intrusive traffic and protect the Meadows to Greenbank Quiet Route.

These measures will include no entry onto Braid Crescent from Comiston Road and ‘diagonal filters’ at the junction of Braid Road and Hermitage Drive, the junction of Hermitage Gardens and Cluny Drive and the junction of Braid Avenue and Cluny Drive, which will effectively remove through traffic from the affected streets. Once implemented, the changes will be monitored closely.

Councillor Karen Doran, Transport and Environment Vice Convener, said: We first introduced the closure of Braid Road to help people exercise and travel safely by foot, bike or wheelchair back in the early days of lockdown, when walking and cycling surged.

“We’ve had some great feedback from the many families and individuals who have enjoyed using the route since then, but we’re also aware that, as traffic levels begin to rise, there has been an impact on neighbouring streets.

Thanks to our ‘try then modify’ approach, we’ve been able to tweak the design, as well as introducing traffic-calming measures on nearby streets, helping to alleviate pressure on surrounding areas while also continuing to provide a protected space for all those walking, cycling and wheeling here.”

Recent workshops with local stakeholders, involving ward councilors, community councils and the emergency services, amongst other groups, have helped us tweak the scheme further to meet the needs of community members.

Additional changes include retaining two-way traffic on Braid Road between Braid Hills Drive and the main entrance to the Braid Hills Hotel, closing the southbound ‘slip road’ between Braid Road and Hermitage Drive to discourage southbound journeys from the Morningside Clock and pavement-widening at the south-east side of the junction of Braid Road and Hermitage Drive.

The council is currently implementing the changes, and plans to reopen Braid Road to southbound traffic by Monday (19 April). Once in place, the new layout will continue to be monitored and amendments will be made where necessary.

Find out more about the Braid Road scheme on the Council website.

EACC Special Meeting: Carbon Neutrality Edinburgh 2030

Edinburgh Association of Community Councils

The next EACC video conference will be on 22 April, at 7pm, on Zoom.

It will be a special meeting devoted to: Carbon neutrality Edinburgh 2030: what it means and how we get there!

Speakers:

Dr Sam Gardner, Chair Edinburgh Climate Commission and Head of Climate Change & Sustainability at Scottish Power, on Turning climate ambition to action

Øystein Leonardsen, Senior Advisor to the City of Copenhagen, Lecturer at Roskilde University. Manager of Copenhagen’s Green and Just Transition Program, on Copenhagen carbon neutrality 2025

Paula McLeay, Policy and Insight Senior Manager, City of Edinburgh Council, on Edinburgh: a net zero city by 2030

Professor Sandy Halliday, Director of the Gaia Group, Chartered Engineer and author of Sustainable Construction (2018), on Carbon neutrality for the built environment

Special guest: Karine Hertzberg, Special Adviser on International Climate Cooperation, Department for Environment and Transport, City of Oslo

This meeting is open to the public, but priority will be given to questions from community councillors. The meeting will be recorded and may be published later.

Please note that by joining the meeting you are giving your consent for the meeting to be recorded.

The Eventbrite meeting page for 22 April is now open for registration:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/carbon-neutrality-edinburgh-2030-tickets-150301667333

Simon Holledge

Secretary, Edinburgh Association of Community Councils (EACC)

Simon.Holledge@edinburghcommunitycouncils.org.uk

Planning on having a ‘burn your facemask’ party when lockdown is lifted?

Think again, says waste disposal expert

Over a year since Covid-19 lockdowns began in the UK. the Great British public has, it seems, grown tired of wearing masks.

So much so, in fact, that many are planning ‘burn your face mask’ parties once lockdown is lifted to mark an end to the havoc wreaked by Covid-19.

Face masks have been mandatory in shops and other indoor areas since July last year, although were being worn widely before summer – and, with all restrictions set to end on June 21st, it seems many have decided that will be the time to say goodbye to the cloth coverings that have been the most visible sign of the pandemic in everyday life.

“I want to feel free again,” said Lara, 29, who is planning a ‘Bubbles & Burning’ party with her friends as soon as restrictions are lifted.

“I’m sick of constantly having to remember a mask, sick of feeling it on my face… we’re going to get a few bottles of Prosecco and chuck them in the fire pit, and good riddance.”

Kian, 19, agreed. “Me and my mates are going to have a few beers and a barbecue and then throw them on after we’ve cooked our burgers.

“I can’t wait to watch them go up in flames to be honest!”

Gaz, 39 “I’m actually in the minority and quite enjoy my facemask, it has got me out of grooming my beard for the past 12 months!”

Many feel similarly, with even those who are happy to comply with mask-wearing saying they’ll be ceremonially disposing of them as soon as lockdown is fully lifted. But, Divert.co.uk says, this is an unwise move for a number of reasons.

Mark Hall, the spokesperson for rubbish removal and landfill diversion experts Divert.co.uk, urged people not to get out the lighter fluid.

“While it’s tempting to want to set light to your mask and wave goodbye to what has been a horrible year for many people, burning them is pretty awful for the environment. Despite feeling like paper, the widely-used blue single use masks are actually made from various type of polymer, materials which – when burned – release potentially dangerous chemicals into the environment.

“Reusable masks aren’t immune from these problems either, as burning any waste creates pollution and smoke – and after so long looking forward to taking a deep breath of fresh air without a mask in the way, it’d be a shame to ruin it with a lungful of smoke. That and you’re just going to have to buy another as the rules haven’t changed, you are required to wear one”

It’s not only the polluting effects of burning your face mask that are a bad idea, either.

A group of 200 leading epidemiologists, data experts, virologists and other health researchers said in a recent survey that they expect mandatory wearing of face masks to be in place well into 2022, in what they say will ‘permanently’ change culture.

One researcher, Mark Jit at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, said it wouldn’t be the law forever, but that it may become the norm to wear masks when ill in future: “It will stop being legally mandated at some point, but I think there will be a permanent culture change for people to wear face masks in public, especially when they have respiratory symptoms. We already saw that happen in Asia following SARS.”

It might be best, then, to keep hold of your masks, even as we return to pubs, offices and cinemas. But what to do with our dirty single-use masks in the mean time? Up to 50 million are used and discarded each day, meaning their disposal is an urgent problem that is already concerning waste experts.

“The most accessible thing for most of us, unfortunately, is to dispose of them in your main bin – they are technically medical waste, so can’t be recycled through your household bins,” said Hall.

“We’d urge everyone to get a reusable mask, even as this hopefully late stage of the pandemic – if they’re going to be around for a while longer, a reusable mask will pay for itself quickly and can be washed and reworn as many times as you want, saving hundreds of single-use masks making it to landfill.

“We campaigned for pop-up PPE bins on the high street to ensure proper disposal of single-use masks and avoid contamination of other waste, but sadly the Government still hasn’t come up with a simple, accessible solution for everyone to dispose of their masks.

“Some private businesses have come up with single-use mask recycling schemes, turning the waste material into furniture, building materials and more, which is amazing – but they’re far and few between, and the average person doesn’t have access to them.

“Our best advice is to use reusable masks and to ensure you’re following WHO guidelines on safe removal and disposal.”

Scotland wants to cut the carbon – but it’s a struggle

Research by Lloyds Banking Group shows 65% of people in Scotland see the environment as a top priority for post pandemic recovery.

However, nearly a quarter (23%) were unable to reduce their own carbon footprint in the second lockdown.

Carbon emissions in Scotland dropped by 13% during the pandemic compared to the year before, according to analysis compiled by Lloyds Banking Group in partnership with the Carbon Trust.

The analysis considered the impact on carbon emissions resulting from changing consumer spending behaviour across six categories: food and drink, fuel, commuting, airlines, electrical stores and clothing stores.

Restrictions on international and domestic travel as well as the increase in working from home have been significant factors in the drop in carbon emissions. Emissions from commuting reduced by almost two thirds (65%) and emissions from fuel fell by a fifth (20%) compared to the year before the pandemic.

At the same time, international travel restrictions meant that the carbon emissions from airlines dropped by more than three quarters (79%) compared to the previous year.

As the country prepares to emerge from lockdown, public support for the environment remains strong in Scotland, with 65% of the public ranking the environment as a top priority for post pandemic recovery.

However, it appears that ‘going green’ is a struggle as nearly a quarter (23%) were not able to reduce their carbon footprint in the second lockdown, the research revealed.

How the pandemic has impacted behaviour change

Many Britons are planning to make greener choices once restrictions lift, with seven in 10 (72%) saying they will make a conscious effort to cut their carbon footprint after lockdown.

Environmental reasons are also a factor for people thinking about a return to work, with almost three in 10 (29%) full-time employees citing this as a reason in their plans to work from home at least two to three times a week.

Generational differences can be seen in these emerging environmental behaviour changes. Nearly half (49%) of over 55s are planning to continue shopping locally compared to just 27% of younger generations (18–24 year olds). Older generations are also more likely to limit their car use than younger generations (36% and 23% respectively) and make improvements to their home’s energy efficiency (16% and 7% respectively).

Thrifty under 25s are planning to buy more items second-hand or upcycle them than older generations (35% and 22% respectively) and are focused on changing their diets to reduce emissions (23% and 13% respectively).

Philip Grant, Chair of Scottish Executive Committee at Lloyds Banking Group said: “Our research shows that the people of Scotland want the environment to be at the heart of our post-pandemic recovery.

“Lockdown’s have changed the way we live and work, and shown us how we can do our bit to help tackle climate change and live more sustainably.

“We all have a part to play which is why we are working with businesses, the government and communities to help make a positive impact on the environment.”

Myles McCarthy, Director at the Carbon Trust, said: “It is encouraging to see that the environment remains top of mind for two thirds of people in post pandemic recovery.

Lockdown has disrupted our lives in many aspects, challenging people from turning aspirations into action, while encouraging more sustainable habits like homeworking and local shopping.

“As lockdown eases, and in the run-up to COP26, it is time for consumers, citizens, businesses and governments to come together and build the enabling environment that will help turn climate ambitions into long-term impact.”

Six simple ways to become more sustainable at home

There is no doubt that making simple changes in our everyday lives can reduce our impact on the environment.

Currently, around 15% of Scotland’s carbon emissions come from gas boilers in our homes being used for heating and hot water. However, cutting down on your carbon emissions and energy usage is much easier than you think.

From minimising household waste to installing eco-friendly heating solutions, there are plenty of ways to help reduce your impact on the environment, and if you’re looking to make a long-term investment, a heat pump could significantly reduce your bills and your carbon footprint.

Richard McLaren from The Natural Energy Company in Fife, which is part of eco-heating brand Daikin UK’s Sustainable Home Network, shares six easy tips to help you become more sustainable:

Insulate and draught-proof your home

Insulation and draught-proofing your home are the most effective ways to save energy and costs, as your heating system will then need to use less energy to keep your home warm and cosy. You can stop cold air coming in and warm air escaping by using items draught excluders, which many high-street and online stores sell. Insulation of your home to as high a level as possible will result in lower bills and higher comfort levels.

Swap your light bulbs to LEDs

Old school incandescent bulbs use up a lot of energy and are no longer manufactured. Instead of buying old stock, why not try using energy-saving LED lightbulbs? They are the most energy-efficient bulbs and use 90% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs. There is no need to worry about brightness – they are just as good as other bulbs and can even save you money on your energy bills.

Install a heat pump

Investing in a greener alternative to your oil or gas boiler, such as a heat pump, could significantly cut your heating bills and lower your carbon footprint. A well designed and skilfully installed heat pump system will save many tonnes of CO2 per year and is a fantastic way of reducing your carbon footprint.

Heat pumps are a well-established technology that can be installed efficiently and quickly into your home. Homeowners can also apply for an interest free loan through Home Energy Scotland to help with the installation of a heat pump, along with 75 per cent cashback to the value of £7,500, so now is the perfect time to consider switching to an eco-friendly alternative for heating.

Reducing water usage

Typically, the less hot water you use, the lower your energy bills will be. There are many ways to reduce your household usage such as installing a timer that turns off your electric water heater at night or when it’s not in use. Simple changes such as turning off the tap when brushing your teeth, taking shorter showers, repairing leaking pipes and doing a cold clothes wash, will all help reduce the amount of water and energy you’re using.

Consider eating less meat

Eating less meat is crucial for a healthy planet as meat production creates large quantities of greenhouse gases. Reducing meat and moving to a more plant based diet will make a positive contribution to combating climate change, and will reduce soil, air and ocean pollution.

Recycle, Refill and Reuse

The main benefit of recycling is that it saves energy by reducing or eliminating the need to make more materials from scratch. Brush up on your local council’s recycling rules and investigate local refill stations where you can refill your cleaning products and food containers, therefore removing any packaging or additional waste. Investigate eco alternatives to chemical based cleaning products which further harm the environment.

47% rise in Scots cycling

Scotland has seen a surge in the number of people cycling in the past 12 months, according to data from the nation’s cycling organisation.

Statistics released today (Tuesday 6 April) by Cycling Scotland show 47 per cent more cycling journeys were recorded between 23 March 2020 and 22 March 2021 compared to the same period 2019–2020.

Since Covid-19 restrictions first came into force on 23 March 2020, the nation’s cycling organisation has released regular updates on the number of people cycling in Scotland, using its nationwide network of automatic cycle counters to compile the data.

Increases of 68 per cent in April, 77 per cent in May, 63 per cent in June, 44 per cent in July and 33 per cent in August were recorded, compared to the same months in 2019.

September saw a rise of 32 per cent, followed by October (22 per cent), November (7 per cent) and December (4 per cent). During bad weather in January this year, cycling numbers decreased 14 per cent before rising 20 per cent in February.

And today (Tuesday 6 April 2021), Cycling Scotland also announced its latest monthly figures, using data from 47 automatic cycle counters nationwide.

The statistics reveal a 52 per cent increase in the number of people cycling across the nation between 1 and 22 March 2021 versus the same three weeks in 2020 – before the first Covid-19 restrictions were introduced in Scotland.

Twenty counters saw a year-on-year increase of more than 100 per cent, with counters in Girvan (Victory Park Road), Callander (Glen Gardens) and Dunoon (Victoria Parade) showing hikes of 256, 179 and 113 per cent respectively.

The information was collected as part of the National Monitoring Framework, managed by Cycling Scotland, to monitor cycling rates across the country.

Latest figures from the Bicycle Association show sales of bikes, bike parts, accessories and services increased by 45 per cent across the UK in 2020, with the trend set to continue.

Cycling Scotland Chief Executive Keith Irving said: “It has been a horrendous year, but one of the few bright spots has been more people getting back on their bikes.

“Cycling has a key role to play in people getting exercise and fresh air, managing the ongoing pressure on our transport system and, crucially, tackling the global climate emergency we face.

“We’re delighted at the massive increase in cycling and it’s vital we see it continue and expand.

“To get even more people cycling, we need to invest more in infrastructure so people feel safe to cycle. We need more dedicated cycle lanes, separated from vehicles and pedestrians. We need to reduce traffic, especially on residential and shopping streets. And we need to increase access to bikes and storage to tackle the barriers too many people face so anyone, anywhere can enjoy all the benefits of cycling.

“Helping far more people to cycle is key in delivering a green recovery from Covid and supporting a just transition towards a net-zero Scotland. Every journey cycled will make a difference.”

Claire Sharp is a charity worker who lives on Glasgow’s south side. She started cycling again last year. “I live next to a main road that leads into the city centre to my work; it’s an easy route but the traffic there is so heavy. I was too scared to attempt it in the past,” she said.

“I knew lockdown was going to happen and thought it would be good to get a bike. Partly as the roads would be quiet, which would be good for a beginner, and also for exercise as the gyms would be closed. Luckily, I managed to get one the weekend before lockdown started.

“Apart from being able to get out and exercise, it’s improved my mental health as it’s given me confidence to do something I didn’t think I could do. It’s made me feel empowered. I’ve also found going for a cycle after work helps me process things that have happened during the day and makes me less stressed.”

She added: “I’m hoping to be brave enough to start cycling to work when all the Covid-19 restrictions are removed, although I might need some more persuasion in the winter. I’m looking forward to more cycling for exercise and bike-ride day-trips with my friends.”

Asif Sattar (45) is an IT worker from Motherwell. He said: “I played football all my days and as there was a lockdown I took up cycling. Cycling was a way for me to break free of the lockdown gloom.

“As I was working from home, getting out on my bike helped me exercise, clear the mind and refocus on my health during the pandemic.

“Me and a group of friends now go out every week and have even planned a cycling holiday once the restrictions ease.”

Letter: Mayhem in The Meadows

Summit and Action Plan urgently needed, says resident

Mayhem in the Meadows

Over the course of six months between May and October 1886, 135 years ago, the Edinburgh International Exhibition of Industry, Science and Art attracted an incredible 2.7 million visitors to Scotland’s capital.

An astonishing 30,000 people attended on the first day, with 10,000 season tickets sold at one guinea each.

The exhibition’s enormous main pavilion was a sight to behold. It filled the Meadows Parkland between Brougham Place and what is now Jawbone Walk. The domed roof kissed the sky at 120 feet tall and was decorated with the signs of the zodiac.

I was struck as to what our forefathers responsible for creating and attending this would have thought after witnessing the events in the Meadows on Saturday (3^rd April).

What occurred has been well documented:

– https://www.edinburghlive.co.uk/news/edinburgh-news/edinburgh-meadows-chaos-sees-teen-20319859

– and I won’t spend much time on this, but the scenes of violence, anti-social behaviour and urinating/defecating in neighbouring streets and on the Meadows was something those of us living locally should not have to put up with.

We have had enough.

It should also be noted that this is not a one-off. Roseneath Place for example is commonly used effectively as a public toilet known as the “pee street” and the rubbish left after such occasions on the Meadows is appalling. We are sick and tired of having to go out and clean up and am sure council workers have better things to do.

Without urgent action a long summer lies ahead and what is happening is in clear breach of the Covid-restrictions.

I am conscious that this has been a difficult time for young people, especially on their mental health, but behaviour like this cannot and should not be tolerated, especially as we are going through a fragile Covid-recovery.

The Meadows is now “the place” to go for teenagers, with thousands congregating and clearly overwhelming police, who I have considerable sympathy with and are in an incredibly difficult situation. Large groups are in clear breach of the Covid-regulations and it should be noted that these are not just local teenagers, with large numbers arriving in taxis/using public transport.

A combination of deterring groups of teenagers from attending plus cracking down on anti-social behaviour for those who do is vital. I have a few suggestions which may want to be considered/built on.

A Meadows’ summit needs to be implemented very quickly to look at what can be done to try and prevent this happening again through delivering an action plan. Not something in six-months time, but now.

Such a group could involve key representatives from the Council – council officials and councillors – MP; community councils, Friends of the Meadows and Bruntsfield Links, retailers and police (am conscious given the election there is no MSP(s)). This can clearly be pulled together very quickly given the wonders of modern technology.

Some thoughts for consideration below:

Licensing – it was clear from the young people queuing outside shops locally that a large number were underage and should not have been able to buy alcohol. The impact of alcohol on behaviour was clear for all to see. A reminder to shop-owners of their responsibilities is a suggestion.
Toilets – a lack of toilets is an issue. We have to acknowledge that even if we manage to deter groups of teenagers attending and breaching Covid-regulations, they are not enough facilities to accommodate. The provision of some portaloos would be an option, preventing people urinating/defecating in local streets.
Bins – unfortunately many are too lazy to take their rubbish to a bin or take it away. The provision of some black bins on the Meadows itself may be an issue and implementation of a BYOB – Bring Your Own Bag Campaign – tied in with some environmental messaging. Although I am conscious of the potential impact of locating bins on the grass. Potential also to use park wardens (as per 4)) to distribute bags.
Park wardens – provision of park wardens handing out bags, implementing fines for those littering. The presence of someone on Roseneath Place on a summer’s day as a deterrent to those using it as a public toilet would be welcomed.
CCTV – has the potential to deter if people know they are being “caught on camera”. For those engaging in anti-social behaviour there is the evidence to convict.
Police – having to deal with this is a massive waste of police resources, which can be deployed elsewhere. Groups of individuals must be deterred from attending, but there does however require to be a police presence to crack down on those who do, with a zero- tolerance message. Early intervention through a strong presence early on has the potential to prevent having to address out of control crowds later on. This includes removing alcohol, breaking up crowds and implementing fines.
Parental responsibility – parents clearly have a responsibility in ascertaining what their children are up to. Could a communication maybe be sent by the Council to parents to explain what has been happening, for them to question where their children are going when out and where they have been, and to also highlight the Covid-restrictions?

Ultimately, addressing issues after they happen is much more resource-intensive than trying to prevent them occurring in the first place.

These are a few suggestions any group may want to look at. The Meadows is a much-loved and appreciated resource, and we must all act to try and keep it that way.

Yours with thanks and for consideration

Alex Orr

NHS Lothian going greener

NHS Lothian is the first health board in Scotland to undertake a comprehensive assessment of the biodiversity of the green spaces in its estate. The move is part of an ambitious plan to reduce the health board’s overall carbon footprint and to use its green spaces to improve the health and wellbeing of the communities it serves.

Working with partners Greenspace Scotland, in a project funded by Edinburgh and Lothians Health Foundation, NHS Lothian commissioned research consultants Natural Capital Solutions to conduct a Biodiversity Audit and Climate Change Assessment.

This Audit will help NHS Lothian realise the full potential of its estate, not only as an environmental asset but also as an amenity offering heath benefits to the community.

This work also provides NHS Lothian with a means of identifying how best to manage its green spaces to meet its ambitious sustainability goals and commitments.

Dr Jane Hopton, Programme Director and Sustainability Lead for NHS Lothian, said: “Climate change affects not only our environment but also the health of our patients and communities.

“Our green spaces make an important contribution to improving air quality, reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the air which in turn is better for our health.

“Making the most of our green spaces is not simply a ‘nice thing to do’, it is an important part of our sustainability plan and sits alongside other priorities such as reducing emissions associated with medical gases, transport and travel, reducing waste and improving our energy-use.”

With 81 hectares of green space across 94 sites, NHS Lothian’s estate provides habitats for diverse species. The plants, trees, hedges and scrub that are grown on these green spaces capture carbon from the atmosphere, offsetting human emissions and cleaning the air of pollution from nearby roads and car parks.

The green landscape can also be used for nature-based health interventions such as gardening and walking activities, helping to improve the lives of NHS patients and staff.

Dr Hopton added: “There is growing evidence of the positive impact of green spaces and natural environments on our health.

“Research from the World Health Organisation and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence shows contact with nature and access to greenspace is particularly good for our mental health and wellbeing.

“This Biodiversity Audit provides a great opportunity to explore ways to unlock these benefits for more people.”

Ian Mackenzie, Green Health Programme Manager at Edinburgh and Lothians Health Foundation, said: “Edinburgh and Lothians Health Foundation was delighted to work together with NHS Lothian, Natural Capital Solutions and Greenspace Scotland on this Biodiversity Audit.

“The importance of biodiversity and natural capital in delivering health benefits is at the core of the Foundation’s Green Health Strategy.

“As a result of the pandemic, there has been a re-appreciation of outdoor space and the value it brings, and this report helps recognise how NHS Lothian’s estate can support a green recovery.”

Alison Holt, Director of Natural Capital Solutions, said: “This project has delivered the tools to predict how changes to the greenspaces and built environment of the NHS Lothian estate, impacts on its ability to reduce carbon emissions, clean the air and improve physical and mental health.

“A strategy on how to increase the provision of these important public benefits across the estate can now be created. The NHS Lothian has set a precedent for other health boards in Scotland, and beyond.”

Public urged to Give Seals Space

The Seal Alliance has launched a new UK government-backed campaign to ‘Give Seals Space’ and reduce the shocking impact that human disturbance can have on these vulnerable marine mammals.

As the public go out for walks over the Easter weekend, the Seal Alliance warns that getting too close to seals can lead to their injury and death, even up to several months later.

The UK is home to 38% of the entire world’s population of grey seals and 30% of the European subspecies of common seals, yet these precious mammals face an extensive list of threats including climate change, toxic pollution, entanglement, collisions with vessels, plastics and other marine debris. Of these threats, disturbance from human interaction is a significant and growing problem.

Seals are vulnerable to any kind of human interactions, either deliberate or unintentional. The ‘Give Seals Space’ signs and leaflets will raise awareness of the simple steps the public can take to protect these precious creatures.

It features four easy-to-remember steps:

Keep well away from seals (use a camera zoom or binoculars) so that they can’t smell, hear or see you
Keep dogs on a lead when in an area where seals might be present
Never feed seals
Take all litter home

Young seals are most affected by disturbance and only 25% are likely to survive to the age of 18 months in a bad year. If people are being noisy or startle the vulnerable animals by getting too close, this wastes their energy, meaning young pups struggle to haul out of the water to rest and digest their food.

Female seals are heavily pregnant or pupping during the summer and getting too close or disturbing them can lead to seals stampeding on rocks, which prove fatal to both mother and pup. The impact on seals can also be invisible but results in mothers not being able to build sufficient fat reserves so they cannot feed new-born pups adequately.

The campaign is a timely reminder as the public go out for walks, take part in water activities or fly drones over the Easter weekend, and as lockdown measures gradually ease across the UK. The Seal Alliance is urging the public to exhibit special caution as seals have ventured further inshore on beaches and coastlines that have become quieter during lockdown.

Environment Secretary George Eustice said: “Seals are one of our most iconic marine mammals. They can be found along our coastline around the UK, and we must do all that we can to protect them.

“Disturbance by members of the public can be detrimental to seals, but this is entirely preventable. I would urge everyone to follow the guidance, give seals the space that they need and respect this vulnerable marine species.

“This campaign will raise vital awareness ahead of the bank holiday weekend and help protect some of our most treasured marine wildlife.”

Andy Ottaway, of the Seal Protection Action Group, said: “Our precious coastal wildlife is coming under increasing human pressure. We need to be aware of the harm we can cause by getting too close to our seals and the often tragic consequences when we do.“

Sue Sayer, of the Seal Research Trust, said: I have witnessed bleeding, grazed flippers, ripped-out claws and gashed bellies that leave blood trails across the rocks after a stampede. Seals need our help so please keep yourself downwind and your dog on a lead.

“If a seal is looking at you, it has been disturbed, so please move further away. Use your camera and binoculars, stay quiet and out of sight. If we follow these simple rules we can enjoy watching seals for longer and without harm – a win–win for both people and seals.”

The Seal Alliance has used funding to produce leaflets and signage, for the public and wildlife tour operators, with guidance on how to ‘Watch Seals Well’ so not to disturb them.

The funding has also allowed the Alliance to employ a ‘digital ranger’ to help promote messages across social media platforms.

The Causey: sneak peek at plans to transform Southside street

The Causey Development Trust (CDT) is working with local Edinburgh resident Robert Motyka and Aga Miętkiewicz of Wee Dog media to share artist’s impressions and a video animation of how The Causey could look and be used
The Causey is a street in South Edinburgh that is currently vehicle dominated and unattractive
Objections to a design to transform The Causey into a street that is safer for walking, cycling and all users are currently with the Scot Govt. Department of Environmental Assessment
At a time when attractive outdoor space is at a premium and how we socialise safely has changed for the foreseeable future, creating places that prioritise people has never been so important

A charity that has been working tirelessly to transform an ill-used and vehicle dominated street in South Edinburgh for over 14 years is excited to give the local community a sneak peek at its plans thanks to a local partnership.

The Causey Development Trust (CDT) has teamed up with local resident Robert Motyka and Aga Miętkiewicz – the creative minds at Wee Dog Media – to create artist impressions of what The Causey (a street with historic significance in Edinburgh South) could look like, when the proposal currently sitting with the Scottish Government Department of Environmental Assessment (DPEA) gets the green light.

You can read the CDT proposal in full HERE

Available to view online and via social media, Robert and CDT have ensured that the local community are first in line to check out the artist’s impressions, by posting them in communal stairwells and around The Causey itself.

The first of the artist’s impressions looks down West Crosscauseway from Nicholson Street and using digitally created characters, draws attention to the proposed design that features a two-way bike system, plenty of space for pedestrians and makes way for trees, benches and neighbourliness.

The second impression looks from The Causey towards Nicholson Street, highlighting the change from a two-way, car dominated rat run, to a tranquil throughway for pedestrians and cyclists and hinting at the benefit to business spruced up shop fronts.

These artist’s impressions and indeed the design proposal promoted by City of Edinburgh Council in a Traffic Regulation Order for this street by CDT, have come about as a result of years of Ideas Workshops (with participants aged 12 -92 years) exhibitions, consultation with individuals and businesses located locally as well as liaison with The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh World Heritage, Sustrans Scotland, Spokes and Living Streets Edinburgh.

The City of Edinburgh Council supports CDT’s aims and the design proposed for The Causey.

It is not the first time that Robert Motyka and CDT have teamed up to help promote create a safer, healthier, and more attractive environment for those living in and around The Causey, and to promote the design proposal under review by DPEA.

In 2020 CDT premiered a film called The Causey – transforming a place created by Robert as part of their Doors Open Day 2020 contribution and you can watch it in full HERE.

The Causey Development Trust Chair David Wood said: “We are delighted to be in a position to share these amazing visualisations of our plans for The Causey with both the local community and wider Edinburgh public thanks to the fantastic work undertaken by Robert and his team at Wee Dog media.

“By working with local resident Robert and his Wee Dog Media colleague Aga, we have been able to put years of planning and canvassing of the local population into a visual format for the local community to enjoy for the first time.

“Given the impact of Covid-19 on how we work and interact, there has never been a more important time to prioritise people by creating spaces that are safer and greener and cater to the needs of the whole community.”

The Causey Development Trust is a charity committed to putting people back at the heart of The Causey, a street in Edinburgh’s Southside, by transforming it into a space that everyone can enjoy.

Currently dominated by vehicles and a redundant, unsightly traffic island, The Causey has the potential to be a fine civic space and plans to make it such submitted in 2018 are currently awaiting the final green light from the Department of Environmental Assessment.

By reconfiguring The Causey, reducing the volume of vehicles passing through the street and creating two way cycling, CDT will promote safer everyday walking and cycling while giving local people, visitors and students an attractive and practical public space that they can use for community-inspired events, neighbourliness, resting, socialising and simply soaking up the historic surrounds – and maybe even some sun!