Category Archives: Meetings and minutes and reports

Main construction start – Trams to Newhaven

(Copied from an email from Trams to Newhaven)

The main construction works for the Edinburgh’s Trams to Newhaven project will start from Monday 15 June 2020 in line with the Scottish Government’s Phase 2 ‘soft start to site works (only where physical distancing can be maintained).

Work on the project was stopped at the end of March to comply with Government guidance and to protect the safety of workers and residents during the coronavirus outbreak.

Following the First Minister’s announcement on 21 May of a phased return for construction sites, plans have been drawn up in line with Scottish Government safety guidelines and industry best practice to ensure the safety of workers and the public. At the briefing on 28 May the First Minister confirmed that site preparation could begin and, following the announcement today, main construction works can now start. This will encompass the existing sites on Lindsay Road, Melrose Drive and Constitution Street which will start from Monday 15 June. In addition, main construction works on Leith Walk from Elm Row to Crown Place will start on Monday 22 June.

In advance of this some preparatory works on Leith Walk will start on Monday 15 June 2020 ahead of the installation of traffic management which will begin on the evening of Friday 19 June and be operational from 5am on Saturday 20 June 2020 including Lothian Bus diversions. All traffic management arrangements are made in consultation with key partners in the city, including blue light services and public transport providers, through the Traffic Management Review Panel and are continuously monitored and reviewed to ensure they work as effectively as possible.

All works will be carried out through physical distancing and additional measures to protect workers’ health will include daily briefings, continuous on-site inspections and health and safety ‘ambassadors.’ The numbers of workers on-site will be kept to a minimum and a large proportion of the project office staff will continue to work from home. While physical distancing will be a key principle of construction working, workers will also have access to personal protection equipment (PPE) which they may choose to wear as an additional precaution if they wish. It should be noted that it may take time for the sites to become fully operational.

The logistic hubs at the Mitchell Street, Foot of the Walk, Dalmeny Street, Albert Street and Montgomery Street will re-open on Monday 22 June to support local businesses with deliveries and despatches. All communal bins that are currently situated on Leith Walk will be moved to the side streets.

If you have any queries please do not hesitate to get in contact.

Chris Wilson

For information

The Scottish Government’s phased approach to construction details six key phases to ensure work is carried out in a safe way. These are:

  • Phase 0: Planning
  • Phase 1: Covid-19 Pre-start Site preparation
  • Phase 2: ‘Soft start’ to site works (only where physical distancing can be maintained)
  • Phase 3: Steady state operation (only where physical distancing can be maintained)
  • Phase 4: Steady state operation (where physical distancing can be maintained and/or with PPE use)
  • Phase 5: Increasing density/productivity with experience

Active travel update

On Friday, the Council launched a campaign encouraging everyone to be considerate of other people and follow Scottish Government guidance when enjoying their outdoor exercise and travel.

The press release which was published on Friday can be found here.

Increase in people using off-road paths and parks

Since restrictions were introduced to help manage the coronavirus outbreak, there’s been an increase in people using the city’s network of paths, as well as parks, as part of their daily exercise and for travelling to work or local amenities – with up to five times their normal use.

Data up to week five of lockdown shows increases on the Union Canal towpath, with 17% growth in pedestrian numbers at Harrison Park, whilst cycling numbers have grown by 76% at Wester Hailes. On the North Edinburgh Path Network at Rodney St, pedestrian numbers have grown by 14%, cycling numbers by 32%.  At certain times of the week, especially weekends, much bigger increases have been recorded.

While it’s great that the routes are popular and well-used, we want to make sure that everyone can undertake and enjoy their daily exercise and travel in safety and comfort.

Paths for everyone code of conduct

The campaign will direct people to the Paths for Everyone section of the Council’s webpages, where we hope to be able to display information such as busy routes/times, coming from our pedestrian/cycle counter data.  This aims to encourage people to use alternative routes if they can, or exercise at a less busy time.  Smarter Choices, Smarter Places funding for this project is gratefully received from Paths for All.

About the campaign

example of temporary signageTemporary signage (example on the right: click the thumbnail to see the full-size image) will be rolled out this week, starting on the active travel network entry points, and signage in the parks will follow.  We will be running a complementary social media campaign also, and we would really appreciate your support with sharing this content amongst your followers and networks.

Report issues

There might be local issues that you are aware of where additional signs may help. Please email your suggestions to spacesforpeople@edinburgh.gov.uk.

Wishing you all the best and thank you in advance for your support with our campaign.

Kind regards,

Judith Cowie
‘Smarter Choices, Smarter Places’ Programme Manager
Active Travel
Road Safety and Active Travel
Transport Networks, Place Development
The City of Edinburgh Council
Judith.cowie@edinburgh.gov.uk

 

‘Safer Communities Safer Scotland’ booklet

Click the graphic to access the full PDF:

From the introduction:

This booklet is packed with practical tips on how to keep you, your family and your community safe – from protecting your home and possessions to helping your children enjoy the benefits of the internet in safety. By following the guidance in the following pages, we can all help make Scotland an even safer place to live and work. The information should not alarm you or make you think that you are not safe in your home and your community. It is simply a reminder of what you can do to keep your home and community safe.

The content-list is

  • Home and Possessions
  • Road Safety
  • Scams
  • Fire Safety
  • Safety at Home
  • Scottish & Southern Electricity Networks
  • Scottish Gas Network (SGN)
  • Staying Safe When Out and About
  • Antisocial Behaviour
  • Preparing for and coping with Emergencies
  • Household emergency plan
  • Water Safety
  • Victim Support
  • Don’t feel trapped by loan sharks
  • Further Information
  • Neighbourhood Watch

Leith Walk/Halmyre Street consultation: extension to 1 June 2020

CEC emailed LCCC and many others on 7 May about an extension of the consultation-period on the draft place-brief for Leith Walk/Halmyre Street.

I may have written to you previously to tell you we were looking for views on the draft place brief for Leith Walk / Halmyre Street. The place brief sets out a vision and key  principles to inform the design of future development on the site.

Due to the Covid-19 lockdown the online consultation has been extended until 1 June 2020.  There is more time therefore  to give us your views on the draft brief if you haven’t already done so. Here is the link to the consultation: https://consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/sfc/leith-walk-halmyre-street-site-brief.

There are links to the draft brief and some supporting documents including a summary of the previous consultations.

We hope to hear from you

Regards

Lesley Porteous / Planner / Spatial Policy / Place Directorate / The City of Edinburgh Council / Waverley Court, Level G3, 4 East Market Street, Edinburgh, EH8 8BG / Tel 0131 529 3203 / lesley.porteous@edinburgh.gov.uk / www.edinburgh.gov.uk