Due to unforeseen circumstances there will be no meeting tonight in Leith Community Centre of Leith Local History Society.
I’m sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused you.
We wish you all a peaceful and enjoyable festive holiday and hope you will join us in January.
Best wishes
Jim Scanlon
Chair
Leith Links Community Council does not meet officially in December, but we are all still here, and happy to hear from any member of the local community who wishes to get in touch, to ask a question or report an issue. We will always try to help if we can.
You can contact us on contact@leithlinkscc.org.uk
If you have an urgent problem, you may be better to contact the City of Edinburg Council directly, via @edinhelp if you are on ‘X’
Or via the website https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/report
Or contact your elected City of Edinburgh Councillor, we have 3 for our area:
adam.nols-mcvey@edinburgh.gov.uk
cllr.katrina.faccenda@edinburgh.gov.uk
***
For anyone struggling to afford food –
Foodbank information can be found here
Useful info about other sources of free or cheap food, community meals etc. can be found here
Soup + roll + unlimited tea or coffee for only £1 
For over 60’s
From 1st November 2024 until end of February 2025
All-day availability at all 205 Asda Cafés (check before going – as some are unaware)
Kids eat for £1, too (a £1 kids cold pick and mix selection that includes a sandwich, drink and piece of fruit)Leith Links Community Council has received the following letter which aims to update local residents and park users about the plan to install permanent public toilets on Leith Links. The short version of all this is that there WILL be toilets installed next year, although the final date cannot be guaranteed. Members of the Community Council and the local community were consulted about the matter, and although we are not terribly enthusiastic about the location the Council has chosen to install them, and although the design is much pared back from the original suggestions, we nonetheless welcome the development. We will be following the timeline of the installation closely, and pressing the Council to install temporary toiets again, if the new ones are delayed.
From Thriving Green Spaces, City of Edinburgh Council:
“… We are pleased to share an update on our progress with the public toilets in parks project. Please find here the finalised design, which showcases the thoughtful integration of accessibility and environmental sustainability. Details can also be found under Latest News webpage.
Further information about the project, including locations, key features, decision-making and FAQ, can be found on Public Toilets in Edinburgh’s Parks website.
The finalised design of the new facilities reflects our shared commitment to creating accessible, sustainable, and inclusive spaces for all. Each facility includes energy-efficient lighting, water-saving fixtures, and unisex cubicles designed to accommodate people of all abilities. Features like grab rails, baby changers, and enhanced safety measures are incorporated to ensure ease of use and accessibility for everyone.
Project Timeline and Phased Installation
We are progressing according to a carefully structured and conservative programme, with a targeted timeline designed to minimise impact and accommodate potential challenges. Key phases include:
This conservative approach includes allowances for unforeseen elements such as contractor scheduling, utility connections, and weather-related delays.
We are reviewing options to retain the temporary public toilets until the new facilities are built, and I will update you once a plan for this has been agreed.
Focus on Landscape
As installation moves forward, our attention will turn to enhancing the surrounding landscapes. Wildlife-sensitive lighting, bike racks, and benches will complement the facilities, ensuring a welcoming, comfortable environment that supports both people and nature.
Maintenance and Operational Readiness
We have also initiated close collaboration with the waste and cleanliness team to co-develop a maintenance plan tailored to the new facilities. Our goal is to ensure the team has the necessary resources and tools to maintain the toilets to a high standard, keeping them in excellent condition for all park visitors. We will also be working with the grounds maintenance teams to develop maintenance guidelines for the sedum roofs and to arrange any necessary training.
Thank you once again for your ongoing support and involvement in this ambitious project. If you have any questions or would like more detailed information, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Warm regards,
Thriving Green Spaces
City of Edinburgh Council – Parks and Greenspace – Place
Level 2.1 Waverley Court – 4 East Market Street – Edinburgh – EH8 8BG
***
Leith Links Community Council has sent in a response to the consultation on the proposed changes to the road (A199) between Seafield and Hawthornevale path, incorporating a new cycleway alongside the road. We have concerns about the scheme as a whole, as it narrows one of the busiest roads in the city, and disadvantages users of public transport, while there is an existing alternative cycleway through Leith Links, which – although it needs to be improved and extended – would keep cyclists safer. We have sent in a detailed comment addressing the whole scheme (i.e. not just commenting on small parts of the scheme as the Consultation Hub survey invites us to).
You can see our response here LLCC Response to Hawthornevale – Seafield route
The survey on the consultation hub closes today, 17th November, but comments will also be accepted by email, which may mean that you could squeeze a response into their mailbox a little past the consultation hub deadline: leithconnections@edinburgh.gov.uk
If you do JUST ONE THING this weekend – please do this!
We have only until Sunday 17th November to respond to the current consultation on the proposals for a new cycle path to be built all along Seafield Street, Salamander Street, Bernard Street, Commercial Street, Lindsay Road, narrowing the road, removing or moving bus stops, removing bus lanes, and many other features such as new crossings, revamped junctions etc.
All the plans are here, in the form of very detailed drawings https://consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/sfc/leithconnections/supporting_documents/30197119ARCHGNZZDRHE00001to00023%20Updated%20Notes.pdf
It may be easier to make sense of them via the survey at: https://consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/sfc/leithconnections/
You can respond with your views in two ways. Either fill in the survey at https://consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/sfc/leithconnections/
Or, send an email expressing your views to LeithConnections@edinburgh.gov.ukf
Or do both!
For the latest Newsletter with an overview of all the Leith Connections plans, see https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/downloads/file/35786/leith-connections-newsletter-october-2024
The next phase of the Leith Connections work is about to start, so be prepared for significant disruption to pedestrians, traffic, cyclists and bus services…..
Work starts next week on Great Junction Street, and will work its way gradually down Henderson Street throughout winter, spring and summer 2025, to Sandport Bridge. At the same time, works will be taking place up from Commercial Street, Sandport Place etc.
Download a leaflet here that outlines the work.
Buses may go down Cables Wynd instead of Henderson Street.
It’s not going to be fun for road users or for pavement users, so you might want to start rethinking journey times and/or figuring out alternative routes….?
If you have concerns / problems, please email leithconnections@edinburgh.gov.uk
and copy to your Councillors:
chas.booth@edinburgh.gov.uk, adam.nols-mcvey@edinburgh.gov.uk, Cllr.katrina.faccenda@edinburgh.gov.uk
Here is an invitation from our friends at Duncan Place Community Hub –
Join us as we take a wander round Leith Links and the surrounding areas, enjoying the changing seasons. There’s always something to spot!
We’re trialling a new day of the week, and a slightly different time:
Thursday 31st October, 12 noon til 1pm
Thursday 14th November, 12 noon til 1pm
Thursday 28th November, 12 noon til 1pm
Meet in the car park at 5 Duncan Place five minutes before (at 11:55am).
It’s free to attend.
You don’t need to book, you can just turn up, however some people like signing up on Eventbrite for a reminder.
If the weather is really bad, we’ll call the walk off. If we do, we’ll post on our social media pages and contact Eventbrite signups on the morning of the walk.
Email events@duncanplace.org or call 0131 364 4350 with any questions.
You need to know about more big changes proposed for Leith roads!
The next phase of the Leith Connections scheme is about to be launched, and we are entering a very important consultation phase. Some residents have had leaflets delivered but many locals are totally in the dark about what is planned. The plans are very extensive: the creation of new cyclepaths on the main roads through Leith for vehicles including public transport will have a big effect on many Leith residents.The following streets will be affected:
You can see more details (and can sign up to receive the email Newsletter, to keep up to date) on the Leith Connections website
Please go along to the Leith Community Centre on 29th October between 2pm and 6pm to view the plans and give your feedback to the development team.
And/ or please fill in the online survey to be found at consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/sfc/leithconnections
You can also email your views directly to the team at LeithConnections@edinburgh.gov.uk (copy to Miles.Wilkinson@edinburgh.gov.uk)
Do come along to the next meeting of the Leith Local History Society, on TUESDAY 15TH OCTOBER AT 7pm in Leith Community Education Centre, to hear this fascinating presentation:
SUFFRAGETTES, presented by AILSA CLARKE
A Gude Cause Maks a Strong Arm
All welcome, £2 or free to members
