Category Archives: News and Events

Roadworks on Duke Street

For anyone heading to the Foot of the Walk in the next few days, this email from a council roads officer will be of interest:

Scottish Water works – Duke Street

Scottish Water works – Duke Street

Permission has been granted by CEC City Wide Traffic Management Board (after meetings with the Neighbourhood Roads Team, Lothian Buses and Police Scotland) to allow the closure of  Duke Street between Academy Street and Duncan Place to facilitate urgent sewer repair works by Scottish Water.

Due to the location of the sewer it is impossible to maintain vehicle access past the works area and a road closure is required to allow the repairs to proceed in a safe and timeous fashion. The duration of the works is anticipated to be in the region of ten days however it is hoped that they may be completed sooner if no unforeseen issues arise during the excavation.

Below is a bullet point summary of the key measures agreed by the relevant parties to mitigate the disruption to the road network.

  • The works area is located between Academy Street and Duncan Place and involves a 4 metre deep excavation in the middle of the carriageway.
  • Bus diversion arrangements will be posted on Lothian buses website and relevant stops around the affected area to minimise the disruption to public transport. This will include a temporary set of traffic signals(manned at peak times) to ensure access and egress from Gordon Street on to Leith Walk is possible. The diversion route is:

Route – Foot of Easter Road to Gt Junction St – Diversion via Duncan Place, Qn Charlotte St, Bernard St and if necessary The Shore

Route – Foot of Easter Road to Leith Walk – Diversion via Easter Road, Dalmeny St or Gordon Street

Route – Foot of Leith Walk to Foot of Easter Road – Diversion via Constitution St, Qn Charlotte St and Duncan Place.

  • The diversion routes will be signed around the affected area to direct displaced general traffic.
  • Advance warning signs have been erected to fore warn road users of the restrictions.
  • Liaison has been carried out with local businesses to ensure deliveries can be maintained.
  • Scottish Water have carried out a mail drop to affected homes and businesses to inform of the works.
  • CEC have posted all relevant information on our website.
  • Any enquires regarding the works should be directed to:
    • Scottish Water customer services 0845 601 8855
    • or  Engineering Works: contact Charles Paul 0131 445 6431

It is envisaged that there will be delays to traffic flows over the initial days of the works however Scottish Water and their contractor will make whatever modifications to the set up should any be required.

Community Council support from the Scottish Government

Jean Urquhart, Independent MSP for the Highlands and Islands region, has received some answers to her parliamentary questions about CCs.

The answers make for some interesting reading.

She says

I lodged a series of questions on Community Councils in Scotland. I’m encouraged by the responses, which show Governmental commitment to our most local form of democracy, and hope the information provided is useful for those involved in Community Councils.

£eith Decides results

(With thanks to Leith Links and Leith Harbour and Newhaven CCs)

Here are the results of the £eith Decides exercise that concluded on Saturday (15th February). Of the 43 applications from charities and community projects, 25 will receive the amount they applied for and 1 will receive some of the money.

This is the list of the successful projects as selected by the 1035 people who voted (by post and in person). The projects are listed in order of votes cast.

  • Leith St Andrews Playgroup – £1000
  • CLASP – £1000
  • Hermitage Park School Association – Outdoor Play – £1000
  • Hermitage Park School Association – cooking – £1000
  • Leith Festival Association Ltd – £336
  • Dr Bells Family Centre – £1000
  • North Edinburgh Dementia Care – £758
  • Leith Primary After School Activities Club – £1000
  • YMCA Edinburgh – £900
  • Arts Afternoon – £1000
  • Strange Town – £1000
  • Victoria Primary PTA – £950
  • The Ripple Project – £1000
  • Stanwell Nursery School Parents Council – £550
  • Citadel Arts Group – £1000
  • Fabb Scotland – £1000
  • Lifecare (Edinburgh) Ltd – £900
  • Citadel Youth Centre – £740
  • Leith Community Crops in Pots – £1000
  • 1st Newhaven Scout Group – International Camp – £400
  • 1st Newhave Scout Group – Camping Equipment – £1000
  • Leith Sea Cadets – £930
  • FENIKS – New Mums Get Together – £850
  • SS Explorer Preservation Society – £1000
  • Friends of Pilrig Park – £1,000
  • Fort Youth and Community Association – £571 (partial funding)

More information can be found on the Leith Neighbourhood Partnership website. This shows a list of all of the projects and organisations applying and a link that gives more detail of how the money will be used.

Thanks for participating, if you did.

Once again this was a very successful exercise in democratic / participative budgeting. Unfortunately, it seems that the smaller charities / minorities’ projects tend to miss out just by the sheer force of the numbers of ‘supporters’ voting. To change this pattern, more people need to participate that are impartial – maybe you’d like to take part and vote next year?