Next (last) meeting of current Community Council, 24 February 6:30pm

The next meeting of Leith Links Community Council will be held in person at Duncan Place at 6:30pm on Monday 24 February 2025.

Agenda is here

Previous Minutes are here

This will in effect be the last meeting of the current Community Council, as elections for a new Community Council take place in March 2025. There will be no meeting in March, and then the new Community Council will meet in April.

New Community Council members are much needed! This is a great time for local residents to step forward and volunteer to get more involved in supporting our local community!  All sorts of ages, interests, and different skills and opinions are very welcome – the only real and necessary qualification is an energy to try to help the local community to have a voice in matters that concern the area.

Please think about it! To qualify, you simply need to be over 18, live in the area and be on the Electoral Roll for this ward. Applying is easy. You download a nomination paper, get it signed by two other local residents (also on the Electoral Roll for this area) and send it in.

Constituted local Community Groups that have been established for 2 years or more can also apply to have an official representative on the Community Council (NB. different form to fill in, though)

You’ll find everything you need, here:

https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/community-planning/community-councils/3

           

Leith Local History Society, Tuesday 18th February , Leith Community Centre

Do come along to the next meeting of the Leith Local History Society, on TUESDAY 18th February AT 7pm in Leith Community Education Centre, to hear this fascinating presentation:

Archaeology of Leith Fort and the Leith Gas works on Constitution Street

Steven Watt from AOC Archaeology will explain some of the finds found during excavations on both sites.

All welcome, £2 or free to members

Close off Links Gardens again?

URGENT

The Council’s TRO Sub-Committee meets in one week’s time (18th February) to take important decisions about the Leith Low Traffic Neighbourhood (whether to make all the changes permanent or not).

The Community Council has recommended that the bus gate be dropped from the scheme, allowing traffic to flow through from Links Gardens to Queen Charlotte Street, thus relieving pressure on Salamander Place, Duncam Place, Johns Place and on the narrow residential streets (Fox Street, Pattison Street, Elbe Street).

We now see in a newly published Report that has been sent to the Committee (by Council Officers) the recommendation that the bus gate be moved so that it blocks off Links Gardens (not just Links Place) to all traffic except buses. And that it would be made two-way, so that as well as forbidding traffic as at present from east to west, it would also block all traffic coming through from west to east.

The proposed new bus lane/bus gate would remove through traffic from the raised pedestrian/ cycle crossing point on QuietRoute 10 at Links Gardens.

This would be a re-introduction of the situation caused by the Places for People blocking of Links Gardens during the Covid period, which was massively unpopular because it caused huge increases in traffic and congestion all along Claremont Park, Gladstone Place, East Hermitage Place, Hermitage Place, Vanburgh Place and the junction with Lochend Road / Easter Road / Duke Street, and all along Duke Street and Great Junction Street.

This is something that would have a huge effect on the lives of all who live in the Leith Links Area. You can read the proposal in Para 4.70 (and elsewhere) in this Report to Committee (uploaded here, as it seems to ‘come and go’  a bit on the council website, but you can try via https://democracy.edinburgh.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=645&MId=7581)

Closing Links Gardens couldn’t be decided at the meeting next week, it would require a new consultation, but local people need to be aware that this is a first step.

If you have a view on this proposal, please write immediately to all the members of the TRO sub-committee, whose email addresses can be found here.

And please copy to the three Leith Councillors who have been reported in the press as being ‘united’ on supporting these proposals.

chas.booth@edinburgh.gov.uk
cllr.katrina.faccenda@edinburgh.gov.uk
adam.nols-mcvey@edinburgh.gov.uk

Make Leith Low Traffic Neighbourhood permanent or not? It’s Decision Time!

City of Edinburgh Council (TRO sub-committee) is going to take decisions on 18 February as to whether to make the Leith Low Traffic Neighbourhood permanent or not.

Lobby groups and press publicity so far have been very one-sided, insisting that ‘everyone’ is in favour. Is this true?

The findings of our own recent Community Council survey show that the local community is actually very divided on the issue (40% FOR, 34% AGAINST, and 26% MIXED FEELINGS). You can read our Summary Report of the survey findings here.

The Councillors on the TRO sub-Committee are still prepared to receive representations from the members of the public on the matter.

Please, if you feel strongly, will you email in to the councillors in question, to say whether you –

  1.  – want to the see the LTN, as it is now, made permanent.
  2.  – have suggestions to make about changes to make the LTN better (NB the committee can only make small changes or take things away, they can’t add new things at this stage).
  3.  – do NOT want to see the LTN made permanent, but would like to see the changes that have been being trialled taken away, so that things are back to where they were before.

You can find the email addresses for the members of the committee here, if you wish to add your views.

Please remember that this is JUST about the LTN measures that are still classed as ‘experimental’ (it is NOT about reversing the Controlled Parking Zone, or any of the changes linked to the tram). For example, it covers:

  • westbound bus gate on Links Place prohibiting entry tomotor vehicles other than buses and taxis
  • blocking off entry for motor vehicles at Tolbooth Wynd/ Water Street junction
  • making Tolbooth Wynd two way operation
  • blocking off entry for motor vehicles at Wellington Place into John’s Place
  • contraflow cycling on one way streets within the area – Water Street, Carpet Lane, Giles Street, Spier’s Place, Maritime Lane, Seaport Street.
  • restrictions on waiting and loading associated with new pavement buildouts

The Community Council finds that there are many mixed views about the LTN, particularly because of the additional traffic congestion which has resulted, especially at peak times, on the surrounding main roads. We are making a few Recommendations on the basis of the survey findings, including that the so called ‘bus gate’ be removed.

Read our Summary Report of the 2024 survey findings here.

Read quotes from the public collected at Gala Day, june 2023, here.

Leith Links in the news, next phase of Leith Connections

UPDATE

We have recently been made aware that the words of Transport and Environment Committee Convener Stephen Jenkinson quoted recently in the press about how keen he is to ‘press ahead’ with Traffic Regulation Orders for Leith Connection’ plans refers to the previous/current phase of Leith Connections (and not to the proposals discussed in the accompanying article).

He has now been made more aware of the newest proposals for the next, future, phase, and the controversy they are currently stirring up…

In a recent email to local resident Robert Drysdale, whose illustration of a potential alternative route appears below in this post, Cllr. Jenkinson said  –

“….the Hawthornvale to Seafield section is still in the design phase and…no traffic orders have yet been advertised. I can confirm that the Leith Connections project team are currently processing the feedback from the latest engagement phase and the outcomes on this will be shared in due course. The feedback received, including I’m sure yours, will help inform the way forward for this project so I would like to thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and your concerns.”

***

Leith Links Community Council is in the news currently. The media has picked up the story of the proposed new cycle route from Seafield to Hawthornevale, which we objected to, in the recent consultation (along with Edinburgh Bus Users Group, Living Streets Edinburgh, and others!)

Read the 03/01/2025 Edinburgh Evening News article here.

Read the original, full LLCC response / objection here.

View the clip with LLCC input on STV News (on 7.01.25) here.

View another interview on the topic with EBUG, here, and also see here

The proposed Leith Connections scheme would run alongside the busy traffic on Seafield Road, Salamander Street, Bernard Street, Commercial Street and Lindsay Road. We think the proposed scheme is very bad for pedestrians, and for public transport users, as it means narrowed pavements, removal and relocation of bus stops, dangerous floating bus stops and removal of bus lanes. We also think that very busy and polluted arterial roadway is not a good or a safe route for cyclists!

Instead, we support an alternative route for cyclists, through the Links and the newly calmed Low Traffic Neighbourhood, as illustrated (in blue) below by local resident Robert Drysdale. After all, what was the point of closing off the roads in the Leith Low Traffic Neighbourhood in the first place, if not to provide a nice quiet and safe route for cyclists as well as for pedestrians?

Please keep yourselves informed about this scheme as it progresses, as there are still opportunities for local people to voice their opinions on the design.

 

Update on permanent Public Toilets for the Links, 2025

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:

  • Factory design and build: Began on Monday 4th November 2024, covering the detailed design of both the buildings and groundworks. This stage is essential for ensuring that each component is precisely tailored to meet the required standards before installation on-site.
  • Groundworks: Expected to start in early February, following the appointment of groundwork contractors by Healthmatic. Groundworks will be staggered, allowing for the Healthmatic project manager to supervise each phase closely and ensures the concrete can cure without rushing.
  • Phased Completion Dates: Installation completion is set for April 21st, May 5th, and May 19th 2025 for the three facilities. The specific order of completion will depend on contractor availability, connections to utility services, and external factors. This flexibility enables us to address any site-specific challenges that may arise; if one site requires additional work, we can proceed with another to keep the overall timeline on track.

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

***

Cycle lane from Hawthornevale to Seafield

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

Major roadworks incoming…

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