Tag: lighting

Funding boost for parks lighting

Plans for how over £500,000 for park and open space lighting improvements across the city have been approved by the City of Edinburgh Council’s Culture and Communities Committee.

A prioritisation framework has been developed to identify where lighting improvements could benefit the city’s parks and open spaces for further assessment. The ranking comprises 58 sites across the city with Hailes Quarry Park  considered first for developing a detailed lighting design.

In recent years, requests for park lighting have increased. This is in part due to increased numbers of people having enjoyed opportunities for exploring local parks and open spaces during the pandemic, as well as improving safety within and through parks, particularly for women and young girls who often feel most at risk at night when walking alone in or near open spaces.

The proposed framework follows an audit of the formal paths used for walking, wheeling, and cycling across city greenspaces. The endorsed priority listing will determine the order in which lighting projects in parks and open spaces will be further developed.

Through the councillors’ agreement to allocate this funding, it is hoped the new lighting in these popular areas can help reassure park users and encourage people to visit or travel through parks and open spaces.

However, there are additional considerations to be taken in parks compared to streets and roads as lighting outdoor space has to combine technical solutions with the unique features of green space environments. This can include supporting valuable habitats for wildlife, trees, historic buildings and monuments, as well as spaces for events, sport, active travel routes and traffic-free places.

Each of the proposed lighting designs must also consider improving lines of sight, proximity of entrances and exits, vegetation overgrowth, use of the space, and the importance of routes to local communities.

In order to meet the full plans, match funding will be sought to supplement the Council’s allocation.

The first 10 sites identified for improvements are:

  • Hailes Quarry Park (Sighthill/Gorgie)
  • Gyle Park (Drum Brae/Gyle)
  • Hunter’s Hall Park (Portobello/Craigmillar)
  • Ferniehill Community Park (Liberton/Gilmerton)
  • Roseburn Park (Corstorphine/Murrayfield)
  • Calton Hill (City Centre)
  • Princes Street Gardens (City Centre)
  • Harrison Park (Fountainbridge/Craiglockhart)
  • Leith Links (Leith
  • Pilrig Park (Leith Walk).

Culture and Communities Convener Councillor Val Walker, said: “In Edinburgh we’re extremely fortunate to have nearly 200 parks and open spaces to visit across the city and we want to make sure that they all remain accessible, safe, sustainable and of course open to the public for generations to come.

“Post-pandemic our parks and open spaces throughout the city have increased even further in popularity and continue be essential to modern life in the capital. They also provide havens for wildlife as well as important routes for people to move around the city by cycle and on foot.

“However, for many, these can be unwelcoming places, especially after dark, when fear of crime and concerns for personal safety are heightened. We of course recognise the community’s concerns and the need for these spaces to be safe and accessible for all users so I’m delighted that we are able to progress with illuminating existing paths in many of our parks and open spaces. We know where the first changes will be made but I hope through match funding we can roll these improvements out further across the city.

“We must also of course consider getting the right balance for needs of people and wildlife and steps will be taken to ensure the new lighting is not at the expense of biodiversity.”

Following Thursday’s approval, work will commence on the design of the first scheme for Hailes Quarry Park. Each lighting project in turn will include public engagement in the design process.

Community partnership shines new light on Gyle Park

Visitors to a west Edinburgh park can soon enjoy a safe and well-lit access route thanks to an innovative community partnership brought together by local residents. 

The Friends of The Gyle Park have linked with local homebuilder Artisan Real Estate and building contractor Cruden Building East, as well as other partners, to raise the necessary funds to install twelve streetlamps along a busy walkway in and out of the park. Other contributors to the project include The Careys Foundation and Scottish Water, with support from the City of Edinburgh Council. 

The newly illuminated pedestrian route links the Gyle Park Sports Pavilion, to the north of the park, to Gylemuir Road which is home to Artisan’s 93-apartment Rowanbank Gardens development, due for completion in spring 2023. 

Welcoming the installation of the new street lighting, Tommy McLean, Chair of the Friends of The Gyle Park, said: “This is a well-used walkway which provides an essential pedestrian link between the residential developments and shops either side of the park.  

“It is also a convenient cut-through to the train station at South Gyle and is used by children going to and from the two primary schools in the area, avoiding the busy A8. 

“The new street lighting means that we can now have safe and well-lit access to the park throughout the year, which will be a huge benefit to local residents and everyone who uses the park on a regular basis.” 

Artisan moved on site at the adjacent Rowanbank Gardens in 2021, and the company was keen to get involved in a project which added to the development’s already superb connectivity with the local area.

Artisan’s Development Director for Scotland David Westwater explained: “Rowanbank Gardens is already making headlines for its low-carbon and sustainability credentials, and an important part of that is how easily it connects to its wider neighbourhood and public transport network, reducing the need for car travel. 

“As such, we were delighted to work in partnership with the local community to improve access into the park and beyond, bringing significant value both to existing residents and to potential home purchasers at Rowanbank Gardens.” 

Cruden Building East is the on-site contractor for Artisan at Rowanbank Gardens and Senior Project Manager Mike Howlett was also keen for the company to become involved. He said: “Our work at Rowanbank Gardens is much more than building homes. It’s also about being part of the community, so we are very pleased to support this important local initiative.” 

Prices for a two-bedroom apartment at Rowanbank Gardens start at just £245,000 making it a perfect destination for first-time buyers and downsizers wanting to live in well-connected, bustling community just minutes from the city centre. 

To register interest and book an appointment at the new on-site sales and marketing suite, visit the development website at www.rowanbankgardens.com or call 0131 516 3302. 

Blinded by the light?

Definitely not sweetness and light: new street lighting gets thumbs down from local residents 

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Some images of the new ‘eco lights’ in operation in Easter Drylaw – that’s them peeking out behind the ‘old’ street lamps!

Which do you think is the more effective?

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The new lights don’t seem to be lighting up the lives of local residents. Comments so far include:

‘I’m a car owner. I don’t have a garage or a drive in so I have to park on the street. My car has been vandalised three times in the last year- if it wasn’t that I need my car to get to work I would have got eid of it ages ago. These new lights will make it even easier for the neds to run wild.”

‘They are not bright at all. It’s very scary coming home when it’s dark. There’s not much light – I think they should be brighter for everyones’ safety’

‘They are not bright enough’

‘It looks really nice but it’s also very scary and dangerous at night when walking home alone’

‘I am always careful about letting my children out after tea in the evening. That won’t be happening at all now, not until the clocks go forward. It’s a disgrace.”

‘These lights are nowhere near good enough – the streets are far too dark and pity help any kid who tries to cross a local road in the evening. It’s plain dangerous’.

‘I don’t like them. The streets look darker now unless you are standing directly under the lights. There are spots in which the light doesn’t hit. I think it’s a bad choice and I won’t be surprised if the crime rate increases.’

‘I don’t like the new lights and I think the council should go back to the ones we had. There have been a lot of break-ins in Drylaw and I think these lamps will just make things even easier for the criminals to get away’

‘I know the council is trying to save money but they are cutting the wrong things. They have got a duty to keep people safe. These lights are a bad idea.’

‘I don’t know if it’s just this part of the town or not, but I will bet my last penny that they won’t be putting up with this sort of crap in Corstorphine or Morningside. It’s a disgrace’

No doubt there will be more to follow …

In the light place?

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Street Lighting Issues: Wester Drylaw Place

After the recent footpath upgrade in 2012 and installation of a new street lighting system along the length of Wester Drylaw Place, Drylaw Telford Community Council was contacted  by residents of Wester Drylaw Place who said that they were unhappy with the new form of street lighting installed and asked if the Community  Council if they could take forward their grievances to the CEC Lighting Dept.

This we did and the outcome was after a meeting and a walkabout in the Wester Drylaw Place with a representative from  CEC Lighting Dept. it was agreed that CEC Lighting Dept. would for a trial period over the winter install other options of lighting along Wester Drylaw Place and then survey the residents as to their preferred option and this would then be installed.

This survey form was delivered on the 30April 2013 to all addresses in Wester Drylaw Place.

 Drylaw Telford Community Council urges all residents of Wester Drylaw Place to complete the survey form and return it; it’s Freepost or go online and complete it at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/EdinburghLights

This was a community-led initiative, so participation by all residents of Wester Drylaw Place in completing this survey form will go a long way in making Wester Drylaw Place a brighter and safer area to walk.

AlexDale

Alex Dale

Chair, Drylaw Telford Community Council

 

 

Safety fears at Drylaw’s Doo’cot

Drylaw Telford Community Council has raised safety concerns over the Doo’cot (that’s the old Listed structure, not the boozer!) with officials at the city council’s local North Office.

During the summer holidays local children, some of them older teenagers, have gained access to the old Doocot structure and have been climbing through the building, using trees and shrubbery that are growing through the heart of the structure. Some are jumping off when they get to the top, and residents fear that children will be injured – or worse – if they land on rusty railing below.

Drylaw Doocot's a Listed buildingDrylaw Telford Community Council chairman Alex Dale has taken the safety issue up with the local North Office – along with another potential problem – Japanese Knotweed. This invasive plant is very difficult to remove, and residents believe that teh invader is gaining a hold in gardens surrounding the old Doo’cot.

“I have passed this information on to the local council office and the response has been very prompt. I understand that there has been some confusion about who is actually responsible for the old Doo’cot – it’s hard to believe it when you seen the state of it, but it’s a Listed building – but that’s been resolved and the council will be taking action. That will be a relief to local residents.”

a trail of knotweed at the old doo’cot?

More good news for Wester Drylaw residents is a council rethink on local street lighting. Following concerns raised by the community council earlier this year, council officials looked again at the quality and positioning of street lighting in the area.

“John McFarlane and his Lighting team have come up with an action plan, fitting 70w bulbs instead of current 45w  metal halide bulbs in three sections of Wester Drylaw Place”, Alex added. “Around end of November or early December they shall consult  with all residents on which would be their preferred option and before the end of the year the preferred option will be fitted throughout Wester Drylaw Place. We hope that all residents will participate in the consultation when asked in order to achieve the best result for all, and make Wester Drylaw Place a brighter and safer place for the community.”

The future’s bright …

Safety fears at Drylaw's Doo'cot

Drylaw Telford Community Council has raised safety concerns over the Doo’cot (that’s the old Listed structure, not the boozer!) with officials at the city council’s local North Office.

During the summer holidays local children, some of them older teenagers, have gained access to the old Doocot structure and have been climbing through the building, using trees and shrubbery that are growing through the heart of the structure. Some are jumping off when they get to the top, and residents fear that children will be injured – or worse – if they land on rusty railing below.

Drylaw Doocot's a Listed buildingDrylaw Telford Community Council chairman Alex Dale has taken the safety issue up with the local North Office – along with another potential problem – Japanese Knotweed. This invasive plant is very difficult to remove, and residents believe that teh invader is gaining a hold in gardens surrounding the old Doo’cot.

“I have passed this information on to the local council office and the response has been very prompt. I understand that there has been some confusion about who is actually responsible for the old Doo’cot – it’s hard to believe it when you seen the state of it, but it’s a Listed building – but that’s been resolved and the council will be taking action. That will be a relief to local residents.”

a trail of knotweed at the old doo’cot?

More good news for Wester Drylaw residents is a council rethink on local street lighting. Following concerns raised by the community council earlier this year, council officials looked again at the quality and positioning of street lighting in the area.

“John McFarlane and his Lighting team have come up with an action plan, fitting 70w bulbs instead of current 45w  metal halide bulbs in three sections of Wester Drylaw Place”, Alex added. “Around end of November or early December they shall consult  with all residents on which would be their preferred option and before the end of the year the preferred option will be fitted throughout Wester Drylaw Place. We hope that all residents will participate in the consultation when asked in order to achieve the best result for all, and make Wester Drylaw Place a brighter and safer place for the community.”

The future’s bright …

Council official sees the light!

Council official John McFarlane has responsibility for street lighting, and last month he attended a Drylaw Telford Community Council meeting to hear concerns over inadequate street lighting in the area. As well as just listening, however, Mr McFarlane decided to see the problems for himself and left the meeting with a small group of local residents to visit some of the problem areas. Last night’s community council meeting heard that Mr McFarlane has been in touch and is now relooking at lighting in Drylaw.

In an email to community council Chairman Mike Clark, Mr McFarlane said: ‘I can confirm that the residents’ concerns were noted at the walkabout and my design team are currently working on a few change scenarios which will hopefully address these concerns. It is our intention to install alternative solutions in separate areas in Drylaw after which we will liaise with adjacent residents to determine the effectiveness of these solutions. Once a preferred solution is agreed through consultation with the residents we will implement these changes”.

Mr McFarlane added that he would be delighted to attend a future community council meeting and will contact the community council again ‘once we have progressed things at our end’.

Speaking after the meeting at Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre, Mike Clark said: “This is a positive development. Our February meeting was one of the best attended for some time as local residents wanted to make their concerns known. With the new lighting, some people feel that parts of the neighbourhood are just far too dark. It’s encouraging that the council is listening to those concerns and, more importantly, appears willing to act to address them”.

Street lighting has dominated Drylaw Telford agendas for some months now, but among other issues also discussed at last night’s meeting were the proposed skate park for Easter Drylaw Park, the cost of upgrading and maintaining Drylaw Field in Wester Drylaw and two forthcoming special meetings – the annual Thomas Tierney Award presentation and, with the council elections coming up, a hustings event.

The community council also discussed the curious case of the missing goal-posts – this long-running mystery may yet be solved at a future meeting. Watch this space, all may be revealed!

Drylaw Telford Community Council meets on the last Wednesday of the month at 7pm in Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre. All welcome.