News from Trinity Community Council

Trinity Community Council met on 12 January – these are some of the issues raised at the meeting:

Working with the neighbours

Twelve Neighbourhood Partnerships (NPs) cover Edinburgh. Trinity lies within Forth Neighbourhood Partnership. Peter Strong (Manager of Forth and Inverleith NPs) presented proposals to monitor City of Edinburgh Council (CEC) performance locally but first gave a broad description of how CEC’s organisation is planned to change.

NPs were set up by CEC to find better ways of planning and delivering services across the public sector – so only only CEC but also police, NHS and voluntary organisations such as community councils. Forth NP currently has direct responsibility for Services for Communities while other CEC services (e.g. education, health) remain centralised. Part of CEC’s latest organisational planning is to devolve further services across four localities to align with NHS, Police etc and make all more jointly answerable to local communities.

Monitoring is proposed based on the 4 key priorities in the Forth Local Community Plan. Of those, “Improve the way we engage with and support our communities” has the most developed local statistics. Local statistics need to be jointly developed for the others e.g. NHS Lothian is leading on “Healthy Lifestyles”. Monthly/quarterly statistics suggested to monitor “Improve the way we engage with and support our communities” include:

• Street Cleaning – random checks by Keep Scotland Beautiful (KSB) grade streets for litter, dog fouling etc. This will be supplemented by statistics on walkways.

• Refuse Collection – complaint volumes, by reason.

• Parks – grading versus standards and Green Flags.

• Council Houses – Time to let, repair speed and rent collection rates (though less relevant for Trinity)

• Roads & Transport– Officials are drawing up indicators

It was also agreed to maintain a rolling status update of all items identified during the annual TCC Walkabout.

Do you have thoughts about the information you would like to see about public services in our area? Let us know.

Contact in the Capital

You may have received a paper copy of the December North Edinburgh News (NEN). The final edition of this trial will be issued in February and decisions on its future taken thereafter. Do you have a view? Let us know.

East Trinity Road

CEC councillors are to be briefed on the results of the East Trinity Rd/Lower Granton Rd traffic study, following which the data should become available for discussion with TCC.

Proposed Sainsbury’s Local in Craighall Road

CEC Planning Committee undertook a visit to the site on 15 January and we expect a decision very shortly now.

Planning Application – 127 Trinity Road

Many will be aware of this application for 5 new town houses on the site of the disused car repair garage just off the lower end of Trinity Road. While the site needs development, we have concerns about the number of dwellings being fitted into the site, their height and access arrangements and are submitting an objection reflecting that.

North Edinburgh Transport Review?

Regular readers will know that we have been pushing for a North Edinburgh traffic and transport review given the extensive development since the previous review (2008), removal of trams to North Edinburgh from that plan, and the considerable housing/commercial development planned.

It is beginning to look like this might be getting somewhere as a meeting with the CEC Director of Transport has now been scheduled. We hope that this will consider the full range of ways to reduce congestion including car clubs, parking zones and the impact of the 20mph limit extension.

Fancy Improving Our Environment?

We have been asked by one resident if there might be interest in setting up an Improvement District which would fund enhancements to a specific amenity e.g. a park, over and above what CEC has responsibility for undertaking. It would involve a small annual contribution from all nearby residents if approved in a ballot.
What do you think?

New Trinity Community Council website

We’ve set up a new, uncluttered website at

https://trinitycommunitycouncil.wordpress.com/

Take a look – let us know what you think and how we might improve it.

Liz Grant

Sadly Liz Grant, a community councillor until very recently and former Chair of TCC, has passed away. Liz was a well known and loved face in our community and she will be missed for her contribution and easygoing personality. Her funeral was at Warriston on 15 January.

Next Trinity Community Council meeting will be held on Monday 9 February at 7pm in St Serfs Church Hall, Clark Road on the question of PARKING. Join us if you have something to say or simply want to listen.

Did you find this useful or informative? If so, why not show it to a neighbour? Anyone in Trinity can subscribe to the bulletin by emailing

tcc-comms@outlook.com

Or drop us a line and tell us what you think could be better!

Edinburgh set to become Scotland’s slowest (and safest) city?

‘Edinburgh is taking a very bold step’ – Cllr Lesley Hinds

Speed limits on more than 80% of our city’s roads and streets – including the whole of the the city centre – will be slashed later this year if plans to make the Edinburgh Scotland’s first 20mph city are approved next week.

A map of proposed 20mph limits for hundreds of Edinburgh streets has been drawn up after a public consultation on the plans attracted nearly 3,000 responses. Meetings and discussions with stakeholders including Lothian Buses also informed the final proposals.

20mph speed limits encourage more considerate driving, leading to safer streets for all road users, including motorists, cyclists and pedestrians. The lower speeds reduce the risk and severity of road collisions.

Reducing traffic speed helps make people feel more confident about being on their local streets and helps children and elderly people to travel independently and safely.

Calmer road speeds also help to make walking and cycling more attractive options, contributing to less traffic congestion, better health, less noise, more social interaction, an improved environment for local businesses and stronger communities.

The new 20mph network, which will go before members of the Council’s Transport and Environment Committee in a report for approval on Tuesday (13 January), would see the majority of the city’s residential streets and streets in shopping areas become 20mph zones.

Councillor Lesley Hinds, Transport Convener, said: “We were absolutely delighted with the huge response to our consultation in the autumn and it’s great to be moving on to the stage of finalising exactly which streets will become 20mph, provided the necessary Traffic Regulation Orders are secured.

“Edinburgh is taking a very bold step in introducing slower speeds for so much of its roads and we’re aware that other cities in Scotland are watching our example keenly.

“There’s obviously a lot of work to be done to raise public awareness between now and the first new limits coming into effect. It’s undoubtedly a culture change for the whole city but we’re very encouraged by the overwhelmingly positive response we’ve seen to the pilot project in South Edinburgh. Support for 20mph limits was already high before the pilot began but it increased even more once people tried out the slower speeds in practice.”

John Lauder, National Director of Sustrans Scotland, said: “It is fantastic to see Edinburgh Council rolling out 20mph speed limits across more and more streets in the capital. Sustrans wants to see increasing numbers of people choosing to travel actively on an everyday basis, whether on foot or by bike, and we think that reducing traffic speeds is a key way to helping achieve this.

“Many other towns and cities across Scotland will no doubt be watching Edinburgh closely as implementation of the new 20mph network gets under way. Hopefully they will like what they see and learn from Edinburgh’s experience.”

The plans were finalised at the end of 2014 following a far-reaching public consultation process across the Capital.

Prior to this, previous market research and consultation in Edinburgh showed strong support for more extensive 20mph limits. The Edinburgh People’s Survey in 2012 showed a sizeable majority in favour of 20mph limits in residential areas, shopping streets and the City Centre. And 67 per cent of people supported a 20mph limit for all city centre streets, while just five per cent opposed such a limit, with 29 per cent uncertain.

The results of this latest consultation process, which concluded in October, show that 60% of respondents supported or strongly supported the proposals, with 36% opposed or strongly opposed.

One of the key priorities of the Council’s Local Transport Strategy 2014-2019 is to consult on detailed proposals for the citywide 20mph network. Consulting “with a view to extending the current 20mph traffic zones” is also one of the Capital Coalition’s pledges.

If the proposed 20mph network is approved by the Transport and Environment Committee, the project will move into the implementation stage.

An implementation plan will be presented to the Committee in March 2015, providing details on how the Council will roll out the 20mph network across the city. It is anticipated that the programme will be rolled out over a maximum of three financial years.

Motoring organisations suggest local authorities should limit zones to where they are most effective and, when introduced, that regulations must be robustly enforced.

AA president Edmund King said: “What we would advise Edinburgh and other cities looking at 20mph limits is to target them where they really are needed.

“The busiest shopping streets, the road outside the school, the residential areas, rather than just introducing blanket limits, which generally aren’t supported by motorists and therefore it’s very difficult to enforce.”

Supt Phil O’Kane, of Police Scotland, said: “We will not routinely police the 20mph zones, however we will respond to any particular zones where there is a casualty reduction requirement. We will enforce the 20mph zones outside schools because that is important for the children of Edinburgh.”

Be aware: Dundas Street resurfacing starts tomorrow

Road resurfacing works will get under way at the foot of Dundas Street tomorrow (Monday 15 September) and are scheduled to last three weeks.

The work, part of the Council’s 2014/15 Capital Maintenance Programme, will see the carriageway resurfaced on Dundas Street between Fettes Row and the junction with Henderson Row.

One traffic lane will be maintained in each direction under contraflow traffic management and the permanent traffic lights at Henderson Row junction will continue to operate as normal.

However, right turns from Dundas Street into Eyre Place will be prohibited for the duration of the contract.

The hours of work will generally be 7.30am – 5pm Monday to Friday, although on occasion work may take place up to 10pm. No work will take place on Saturdays or Sundays and every effort will be made to keep noise and disruption to a minimum.

The parking and taxi rank will be suspended to allow the works to take place, while temporary bus stops will be provided when the bus stops are out of commission. In addition, Fettes Row both to the east and west of Dundas Street will need to be closed for certain periods.

Access to the western side of Fettes Row will be maintained for residents and local businesses as this is a cul-de-sac with no alternative means of access. A local diversion will be in place for access to the eastern side of Fettes Row.

You’ve been warned!

Campaigners cross over road traffic issues

Groups unite to demand improved cycling and pedestrian crossings over Queensferry and Hillhouse Roads

Community Councils and Parent Council reps have joined forces to campaign for local road safety improvements. Craigleith Blackhall and Drumbrae Community Councils, Blackhall Primary and Royal High School Parent Councils are calling for action to make routes to schools safer and improved crossings on Queensferry and Hillhouse Roads.

Residents have reported particular problems when trying to cross those two busy roads: from having to walk too far to find a crossing, to avoiding dangerous speeding traffic or finding somewhere suitable for a bike to cross.

These and other related traffic issues are frequently raised at both Community Council and Parent Council meetings, so the community representatives have united to address residents’ concerns – they’re currently working together to look at specific problem areas and identify what practical improvements can be made.

Mary Duff is one resident who has expressed concerns over traffic and would like to see improvements to road safety. “”As a parent of a new S1 student who would like to cycle to the Royal High School, can I ask that a new, safe cycle crossing is created in Blackhall to link the residential area to the cycle paths?” she said.

“My son currently has to cross four lanes of traffic to get to the cycle path. Hence he doesn’t take his bike as I feel it is unsafe. The only other option he has is to cycle down the pavement along Hillhouse Road, cross at a busy junction with lots of parked cars (at the Blackhall dip) and cross at the pedestrian crossing … avoiding pedestrians some of the time!”

Craigleith and Blackhall community councillor Neil Watt has also had a nasty incident on busy local roads. He said: “I had a really scary experience crossing the road to Davidson’s Mains Park with my son Owen on the back of the bike – we nearly got hit by a transit turning right jumping the lights.

“I just can’t believe how dangerous and unpleasant it is to cross Hillhouse/Queensferry Road whether you’re on a bike or on foot, and the traffic’s only getting worse. I have a new job in the city centre and want to commute on the bike more, but it’s really tricky hooking up with the cycle network when you live in Blackhall or Clermiston.”

The campaigners aim to ensure their communities benefit from the safest routes to school, that it’s easy and pleasant to walk and cycle to get around, public amenities and businesses are well connected and that residents are helped to do what we they can to reduce pollution.

A spokesperson for the group said: “At the moment, we’re focussing on finding a suitable spot for a new cycle-friendly pedestrian crossing between the Blackhall dip and St Columba’s Church, and seeing what improvements we can make to the existing crossings at Blackhall Library, Craigcrook Road/Quality Street and Clermiston Road North/Queensferry Road. Beyond that, who knows!

“The next step is to ask the City of Edinburgh Council to look into the issues and work with us to improve these sub-standard cycling and walking links. If you want to help please come to one of our meetings or drop us an email via our websites to let us know what you think.”

You can let the group know your views by attending your local community council meeting (Craigleith Blackhall meets on Monday 15 September at 7.30 pm in Stewart’s Melville College on Queensferry Road, while Drumbrae also meets next on Monday 15 September at 7.30pm – in the Rannoch Centre.

If you can’t make a 15 September meeting, email your views to Craigleith Blackhall Community Councillor Neil Watt at wattmail@hotmail.co.uk

Tuesday is decision day for Telford parking

Measures to introduce priority parking measures to the streets of Telford could be agreed by councillors at next Tuesday’s Transport & Environment committee meeting. Local campaigners are pleased that traffic and parking problems that have beset the area for years could at last be resolved.

Drylaw Telford Community Council has been seeking solutions to irresponsible parking in the area, and last year initiatived a survey of the area to gauge residents views on introducing priority parking measures. That October consultation was inconclusive, but the community council gave it another go and organised a public meeting in March.

The meeting was well-attended and there was sufficient support on the night to justify a second consultation in June.

This proved more decisive: 156 residents responded – and of these 154 were in favour of introducing a Priority Parking scheme!

Drylaw Telford Community Council chairman Alex Dale chairs the sub-group set up to address Telford’s traffic problems. He said: “We are very pleased with the outcome of recent consultation letter which resulted in a overwhelming favour for the scheme and I’d like to thank our members for all their hard work in advising the residents of the merits for introducing the scheme.”

He went on: “The sub group met last night to discuss this report and next stages. If the scheme gets the go-ahead next week Parking Operations will produce a detailed map of the area, showing where priority parking bays will be located and non legislated free bay and highlighting the single/double yellow lines propoals. The transport officials will be invited to this meeting to fully explain the proposals and our sub-group will then agree or amend. Clearly we won’t do anything until we know the result of Tuesday’s meeting but we are very hopeful that things will get moving in Telford soon.”

Telford Parking paper

Green light for West End traffic changes?

Move to simplify city centre journeys

Drivers heading for the West End from the south of the city and Lothian Road could find their journey simplified if the city council approves changes to current traffic management arrangements next week.

A review of traffic management in the city centre has been completed following the start of tram passenger services, and among the recommendations in a report to Tuesday’s Transport and Environment Committee is a proposal to allow all traffic to travel westbound from Hope Street (pictured above) to Queensferry Street, rather than buses only as at present.

Traders from the West End called for this in a deputation to the committee in March, when they pointed out that, with the removal of the left turn from Lothian Road into Shandwick Place, it had become difficult to access properties and businesses in the West End.

The report also asks members to give the go-ahead for further investigation into the option of introducing a right turn from Queen Street westbound into Queen Street Gardens East.

Another recommendation, which follows on from the start of the new Experimental Traffic Regulation Order in George Street, is to change the priority of Young Street from an eastbound to a westbound direction.

Residents and businesses here have expressed concerns about a perceived increased volume of traffic and in particular, more vans and heavy good vehicles, since the George Street scheme was first implemented earlier this summer.

Councillor Lesley Hinds, Transport Convener, said: “Now that trams have been running for a couple of months or so, it’s a good time to make any appropriate alterations to surrounding traffic management so that we can make it as straightforward as possible to get from A to B in the city centre.

“We know that West End traders have had concerns about access to their businesses so the proposal to open up Hope Street for all westbound traffic into Queensferry Street should make things much better.

“I was pleased to meet recently with residents and businesses in Young Street to hear how their street has been adversely affected by increased traffic since we started the ETRO in George Street. This narrow cobbled street is simply not fit for the volume and nature of traffic it’s been experiencing of late. Changing the one-way direction will help divert traffic away from Young Street and on to Queen Street, which can accommodate commercial and through-traffic far more comfortably.”

Is twenty plenty? Have your say!

The City of Edinburgh Council proposes to introduce 20mph speed limits for large parts of the city centre, main shopping streets and other residential streets.

You can find out more – and give your opinions – at an information session in North Local Office, West Pilton Gardens, on Wednesday 3 September from 10am – 1pm.

Alternatively, you can express your views online at www.edinburgh.gov.uk/20mph

Maps detailing the proposals will be on display in local libraries from 1 September, and if you need more info you can also email 20mph@edinburgh.gov.uk

All comments must be received by 17 October – so don’t put it off!

20mph Leaflet

Witness appeal as man falls from moving van

Police are appealing for witnesses after a 24-year-old man fell from a moving vehicle which then sped away from the scene. The incident took place on Raeburn Place at 5.25pm on Friday evening. Police said the vehicle, believed to be a Ford Transit van, was seen being driven erratically through Stockbridge streets after the incident.

The man who fell from the van was taken to hospital but did not suffer any serious injuries.

Two men are understood to have been in the van at the time of the incident – one, the driver, was wearing a white tee-shirt. Stockbridge was busy at the time of the incident and police are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

Det Sgt Bob Williamson said: “Our officers are working hard and making extensive inquiries to establish the full circumstances of what happened. The events described and the irresponsible actions of the van driver are obviously concerning and we would urge members of the public who may be able to identify the vehicle or its occupants to come forward immediately.”

“Anyone with information that could help the investigation should contact Police Scotland on 101 or, alternatively, phone the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

#you’dbemuchquickerwalking!

It’s fair to say North Edinburgh has it’s fair share of road repairs going on at the moment!

Inverleith’s talking transport

Transport remains a hot topic in Inverleith and the subject will top the agenda at next week’s Inverleith Neighbourhood Partnership public meeting at Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre …

Come along and find out what’s happening in your area and have your say on all things transport!

Road works
Meet your local roads team
Road/path improvements
20mph zones
and more …

Tuesday 4 March, 7 – 9pm

Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre, Groathill Road North

For papers and agenda call Elaine on 529 5270

or visit www.edinburghnp.org.uk/inverleith