4 February 2020 in Fairmilehead Parish Church
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Fairmilehead Community Council Ordinary Meeting held on Tuesday 4 February 2020 in Fairmilehead Parish Church Present: Colin Anderson (Vice Chair); Norman Tinlin (Secretary); Fiona Simon (Treasurer); Gillian Holmes (Winton Loan Woodland Trust); Fraser Simon; Stella Thomson (Engagement Officer); Ex Officio: Councillors Arthur; Doggart and Rust; 25 members of the public of which 9 withdrew after item 2. Apologies: Dennis Williams (Chair); Johanna Carrie; Barbara Dick; Carol Lonie; Margaret Walker; Gordon Lindhurst MSP The Secretary opened the meeting by explaining that Dennis Williams (Chair) was unable to attend due to a business commitment and that the meeting would be chaired by Colin Anderson (Vice Chair). 1. Police Report The Secretary advised that due to attendance on a police course PC Jones was unable to attend the meeting. He had omitted to attach the report to his e-mail. 2. Swanston to Portobello Cycling Path Ross Woodside of the Edinburgh and Lothians Greenspace Trust (ELGT), previously the Greenbelt Trust, gave a presentation on the Pentland to Portobello Feasibility Study. Mr Woodside who is a Project Manager with ELGT, explained that it is hoped to establish a walking/cycling route which runs from the base of the Pentland Hills to Portobello on the coast in Edinburgh. The plan is to establish a green active travel corridor, avoiding road usage whenever possible, for the south east which would mirror the Water of Leith Walkway. The full report (50286 Feasibility Report 19.06.19) is available on the ELGT website at www.elgt.org.uk. A copy of the presentation slides can be found at: http://www.fairmileheadcc.org.uk/Talks_Page.htm Mr Woodside stated that the route, which is extensively mapped on the website, is thought to be the optimum route prioritising greenspace and ensuring segregation from traffic wherever possible. This should provide safe travel for both commuting and leisure. The overall aim of the path route is two- fold: to create a strategic long-distance direct route from the Pentlands to Portobello; and enhance connections to local community hubs to encourage greater use of the open spaces and local path network. The idea for the feasibility study was initiated by Edinburgh District Council in 2015 whose aim it is to encourage cycling and walking by providing safe new routes. However, it wasn’t until funding was secured from Sustrans and the CSGNT Development fund that the study was carried out by the environmental consultancy Ironside Farrar. The mainly desk based study identified a route comprising of 4 sections: 1. Foot of the Pentlands to Burdiehouse Road 2. Burdiehouse Road to Old Dalkeith Road 3. Old Dalkeith Road to Niddrie Mains Road 4. Niddrie Mains Road to Portobello The route crosses some established paths and also identifies missing links between the Pentlands and Portobello. The final pathways are envisaged as comprising sealed surfaces of 3-3.5metre width. Walkers and cyclists would not be separated. It is hoped that construction will begin in 2021 but is dependent on amongst other things financing and further route development. The City of Edinburgh Council own most of the land the route would cross and have indicated that it will be included within the City Plan 2030. Active travel is a priority of the Council’s Transport 2030 Vision stating that it is hoped that “By 2030, to make Edinburgh’s transport system one of the most environmentally friendly, healthiest and most accessible in northern Europe”. 1 © Fairmilehead Community Council Questions 1) Most of the questions raised revolved around why several already established paths, currently well used by both walkers and cyclists, are not included in the proposed route. Mr Woodside explained that many of these routes involve road usage and the primary aim is for the use of greenspace. Other factors regarding the mapping of the route included the fact that alternatives might cross land not owned by the City of Edinburgh Council or other active travel organisations and could therefore present problems with access etc. 2) The idea that the route might be extended via Colinton to link with the Water of Leith was also discussed. Mr Woodside thought that long term that might be a possibility, but it would be an entirely separate project. 3) The question was raised as to how the local community might get involved as there was concern that there had not been enough consultation with local communities regarding the path network. Mr Woodside stated that the ELGT is always open to dialogue with all local groups and welcomes comment form forums such as the community council. 3. Minute of Meeting Held on Tuesday 7th January 2020 These were approved by the meeting. 4. Matters Arising a) Noticeboard The Secretary told the meeting that he had received a quote of £500 plus vat to install a new noticeboard. He asked if anyone knew of an alternative firm who may provide a more reasonable quote, perhaps a local builder. 5. Correspondence a) Fire service – a free home fire safety visit can be booked at firescotland.gov.uk. The Secretary pointed out that on his release from hospital last year he had had smoke alarms installed by the fire service at no charge. They also replaced the batteries every 2-3 years. The Fire Inspectorate were also conducting a survey on community involvement and he would respond. b) Volunteer at Marie Curie – event on Thursday 6th February 12noon – 7pm. c) Pentlands Community Grant Fund – grants are still available. Closing date for applications 12/02/2020. d) EVOC Funding Fair 11/03/2020 – EVOC Offices - 525 Ferry Road. e) Consultation on the Choices for City Plan 2030 began on Friday 31/01/2020 and will run for 8 weeks. https://consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/sfc/choicesforcityplan2030/ f) The next BBC Scotland debate night will be held on 26/02/2020. Apply to join the audience at www.bbc.co.uk/debatenight. 6. Councillors’ Reports Cllr Arthur distributed copies of his report: The Council has started a major consultation regarding how Edinburgh will develop over the next 10 years. Full documents are online (linked at the bottom of this item), but residents are being asked for their opinions on the topics (AKA Choices) listed below. This includes everything from protecting our greenbelt to building carbon neutral homes in Edinburgh. Please find time to take part. There are open meetings and an online consultation: https://consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/sfc/choicesforcityplan2030/ The "Choices": 1. Making Edinburgh a sustainable, active and connected city 2. Improving the quality, density and accessibility of development 3. Delivering carbon neutral buildings 4. Creating Place Briefs and supporting the use of Local Place Plans in our communities 5. Delivering community infrastructure 2 © Fairmilehead Community Council 6. Creating places that focus on people not cars 7. Supporting the reduction in car use in Edinburgh 8. Delivering new walking and cycle routes 9. Protecting against the loss of Edinburgh’s homes to other uses 10. Creating sustainable communities 11. Delivering more affordable homes 12. Building our new homes and infrastructure 13. Supporting inclusive growth, innovation, universities, & culture 14. Delivering West Edinburgh 15. Protecting our city centre, town and local centres 16. Delivering office, business and industry floorspace Full details: https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/local-development-plan-guidance/city-plan- 2030?documentId=12552&categoryId=20069 Fairmilehead Area News Mounthooly Ice & Parking - Many thanks to the Mounthooly residents that contacted me about Gritting & Parking on the main access road to the estate - Mounthooly Loan On the gritting issue: “Following on from my earlier correspondence just before the Christmas break. I’m afraid that Mounthooly Loan does not meet the criteria for being classed as Priority 1 route as identified on the council’s website. However, officers do recognise that due to the elevation, incline and exposure on the eastern side that it should be treated, where possible, immediately after the P1 network. Mounthooly is located on a Priority 2 route (Bankhead 201) which means it will be the first treated route after P1 network. Moving forward we will undertake more patrolling of this area by night shift to quicker identify when conditions require treatment and where required and resources permitting we will treat. Where prolonged cold is forecast, or as was experienced on the 16th the presence of ice, then we will cover Priority 2 as soon as we can within core hours. Could I also suggest that if members of the public experience conditions that they feel requires gritting that they contact us through the following email address that is accessed by our duty managers then response, resources permitting, will be quicker: [email protected] I appreciate this is not necessarily what the residents want to hear, but as the city expands, traffic congestion increases and available resources are put under increased pressure there is only so much we can do. Can I apologies again for not being quicker off the mark to treat the loan on the 16th and hopefully by increasing patrols and having a more direct route for residents to contact us about local conditions then we can provide a better service.” This is progress, but not what I’d hoped for. I’ve asked for this to be reconsidered. I shall share an update on this as soon as I receive it. On the parking issue (parked cars blocking visibility on the bend): “We have concerns that removing the parking will increase the speed of vehicles on this stretch of road and in these cases it is about getting the appropriate balance. We will take another look as one of the solutions could be promoting a traffic regulation order to install parking restrictions on the corners”.