Tag: Leith Links area
Revised Leith Links Community Council Boundary
Since March 2025, when Community Council elections took place, there have been some changes to the boundary of certain Community Councils, Leith Links amongst them.
Our area has shrunk very slightly, just at its southern edge. A very small sliver of Restalrig has been moved from the Leith Links area into the Craigentinny and Meadowbank CC area. The new southern boundary of Leith Links Community Council now runs along the Restalrig Road Railway path, which is nice and easy to make sense of.
The reason behind this change is to align the boundary of the Community Council with the boundary of the City of Edinburgh Council Ward (i.e.Ward 13, Leith), which means that the elected Ward Councillors responsible for each area are not straddling two (or more) different Community Councils, and in the process either duplicating the work of the neighbouring Ward Councillors, or ignoring one part of their area.
The map below shows the new boundary.
Our neighbours are –
to the North, and NorthWest – Leith Harbour & Newhaven CC
to the SouthWest – Leith Central CC
to the South, SouthEast and East – Craigentinny & Meadowbank CC
For more information, see:
https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/community-planning/community-councils/1
Join the Litterpick, Saturday 22nd March
Please come and join in the Spring Litterpick on Leith Links, next Saturday morning, 22nd March! Litter-picking is surprisingly satisfying in itself, and you will be contributing to making our area a much more pleasant place for everyone.
Duncan Place is coordinating the litterpick, which is also supported by the Leith Links Community Council.
- We’ll all meet in the Duncan Place car park at 10am. 4 Duncan Place, Leith, EH6 8HW.
- We have litter pickers you can borrow, however please do bring your own if you have one. Bring gloves (not your poshest pair!)
- We’ll supply bin bags. We have a limited number of bin bag hoops and sturdy gloves that people can borrow.
- Children very welcome, but under 16s to be accompanied by an adult.
- Join us after the litter pick for a hot cuppa and biscuits, inside Duncan Place, as a thank-you for getting involved.
- If the weather is *really* bad, we’ll call the litter pick off. If in doubt, check the Duncan Place socials, or call 0131 364 4351.
- Litter picking volunteers can just turn up on the day, but it does help to let the organisers know you’re coming. You can email on events@duncanplace.org or fill in the form here > https://forms.gle/e7DbVQHq7ENikTSZ6
Leith Local History Society, Tuesday 18th March , Leith Community Centre, New Kirkgate
Do come along to the next meeting of the Leith Local History Society, on TUESDAY 18th March AT 7pm in Leith Community Education Centre, to hear this fascinating presentation:
The Royal Navy and Leith between 1780 and 1805
Brian Pinkstone will share his research into Royal Navy ships, some with Leith crew or ‘pressed men’ who escorted valuable cargo during a time when shipping could be attacked by privateers
All welcome, £2 or free to members
More changes planned for our area…?
The Leith Low Traffic Neighbourhood has now been made permanent (and has apparently also been ‘renamed’ the “Leith Liveable Neighbourhood”)
But things have not stopped there. At the Council’s Transport and Environment Committee next week (6th March), Councillor Chas Booth is proposing a motion that signposts to further changes in our area. (See below) What do people think of these?
Can / should such steps just be imposed from ‘above’? Is it time for a public meeting, and a focused discussion with local residents, to explore the ideas Councillor Booth is pushing forward?
You can comment below, or email your views to: contact@leithlinkscc.org.uk
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| Motion by Councillor Booth – Liveable Neighbourhoods
“Committee: 1) Notes the decision of TRO sub-committee on 18 February to make the Leith Liveable Neighbourhood, introduced under ETRO 23/20, permanent; further notes that while the scheme was generally successful at reducing motor traffic, there was a traffic increase on Duncan Place and northbound on Salamander Place; 2) Notes that while there is a commitment in the City Mobility Plan (CMP) to roll out liveable neighbourhoods, this work is currently unfunded within the CMP action plan (action 105) but this is being assessed as part of the CMP CIP review agreed by committee in December 2024; 3) Requests a report to committee in 4 cycles setting out: a) options to address the increase in traffic on Duncan Place and northbound on Salamander Place including, but not limited to, moving the bus gate to Links Gardens and introducing a full modal filter at either the north end of Johns Place or the south end of Duncan Place; b) what further action can be taken to improve dropped kerbs, pavements camber and improve conditions for walkers and wheelers throughout the project area and in particular at Claremont Park/Gladstone Place, including the potential for a new pedestrian crossing near the nursing home; c) what further action can be taken to improve conditions for those cycling in the area, in particular along quiet route 10 between Sandport Bridge and Links Gardens; d) whether there would be advantages to coordinating the timing of any further changes to the Liveable Neighbourhood with rollout of the CPZ to the area south of Leith Links; e) any lessons learned from the Leith Liveable Neighbourhood scheme, in particular on how the council can better engage with disabled people who might be impacted by a scheme at the earliest possible stage.” |
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At the same meeting, it is proposed to launch proceedings to ban parking on a number of streets, by introducing new double yellow lines on both sides. Worryingly, according to a recent Evening News article, Claremont Park is included on the list – can this really be the case, given that it is a wide road with plenty room for buses to pass each other, and no record of pavement parking? Seafield Place, Seafield Road and Salamander Street are also listed. Further information urgently needed!
See the full meeting agenda here: https://democracy.edinburgh.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?MId=7245&x=1
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
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.”
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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.
Sociable Strolls on Leith Links – Thursday lunchtime
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.
Important – Leith Community Centre, Tuesday 29.10.2024 2pm-6pm
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:
- Great Junction Street
- Henderson Street
- Sandport Place Bridge
- Yardheads
- Parliament Street
- Salamander Street / Baltic Street
- Bernard Street
- Commercial Street
- Lindsay Road
- Hawthornvale path to Seafield Road
- Replacement of Lindsay Road Bridge
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)
Leith’s Got Talent! Apply now!
Are you ready to showcase your skills? Leith Festival is excited to announce ‘Leith’s Got Talent,’ an exhilarating event series designed for both adults (18+) and young people (14-17 yrs)!
This is your chance to shine and share your unique talents with the community.
Whether you sing, dance, perform magic or have a hidden talent we want to see what you’ve got!
(family appropriate of course)
* Applications are invited from individuals and groups
* Applications close: midnight 13-10-2024
* Applicants are required to share a video as part of the audition process
A longlist for each category will be selected to perform in heats (w/c 18th November 2024), with the top acts invited to perform again at our grand final event (w/c 25th November 2024).
THE MAIN PRIZE IS A PERFORMANCE SPOT AT GALA DAY 2025
– your performance must be suitable for the main stage space – contained to 6x4m stage space & outdoor conditions
Please complete this application form and email a 1-min video showcasing your act to office@leithfestival.com
There may also be a couple of volunteer opportunities available for people who want to get involved in another way – particularly if they are interested in event or stage management.
EALA Impacts are working with all three of the Leith Community Councils (Leith Links, Leith Harbour & Newhaven, and Leith Central) to make a Local Place Plan for Leith.
This is important because the Local Place Plan will feed into the City Council’s “City Plan 2040”, which sets out what is allowed to be built in the city, and will be used for many other things to shape the future of our neighbourhood.
It is really important that local poeple say what they want and don’t want in their area, in the future.
The deadline for submission to the City Council is Autumn 2025, but your comments and ideas should ideally be in by end of July / August.. Please use the QR code below or send in by email.
Read more about the importance of Local Place Plans, and how to make them, here