Dear All

Changes to Portobello High Street make more space for safer walking, cycling and social distancing are being implemented today after a short period of consultation.  Duddingston Road is to get a segregated cycle path, hopefully just the first stage in further measures to make to journey to and from local schools and nurseries safer for active travel.  There is some concern from residents about the loss of the opportunity for them to park on the street.  However, there is also concern about the parents’ school run traffic blocking driveways and creating air pollution. 

Those who are against measures such as this are in the minority,  Evidence here: https://www.bikebiz.com/public-overwhelmingly-in-favour-of-measures-to-encourage-walking-and-cycling/  However, it can be very hard to adjust f the change is in your own street.

What is happening here is part of a wider move forward to make us all safer and there is very much more to do to reclaim all our streets from traffic and encourage more active travel. See here https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/politics/new-plans-cycle-segregation-lanes-across-edinburgh-unveiled-2917326.  There is a lot more to be done.

I saw this and loved it: https://cyclingfallacies.com/en/. 

If you value Edinburgh’s trees, have a look here: https://www.tree-time.com/.

Lots of love for Portobello beach and the importance of keeping it clean.  The Council and local residents do their bit.  It’s time all visitors chipped in and took their litter home not leaving it lying around for others to pick up.  So how well do we know our home beach?  Click here: https://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/local-environmental-quality/my-beach-your-beach/portobello-beach/

To report littering, fly-tipping and missed bins on line, you currently have to register an account, which can be a pain.  From 31 July, that won’t be necessary for these kinds of reports, so the missed bin collection or overflowing litter bin will be easier for you to report.  Information currently here: https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/litter-flytipping/litter-street-cleaning, and it will be updated soon. 

A group in Portobello are doing a absolutely fabulous job working on a future for Portobello Town Hall.  Do take a look at the website and get involved in any way you can: https://www.portobellocentral.org/

Thistle in Craigmillar are looking for a talented Community Development Worker to lead the community-led project which is locally known as “Connecting Craigmillar”. Full details of this full-time fixed term position are attached, and also on the website at  https://www.thistle.org.uk/work-with-us/other-vacancies.

Plans are coming up for community consultation on the design of a new pump track at Hunters Hall Park, to the east of Jack Kane Centre.  Have a look here: https://youtu.be/I3eNw7Szl_k

A great Edinburgh Evening News piece about a close encounter with our swordfish off Portobello: https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/weather/kayaker-speaks-moment-suspected-swordfish-swam-metres-his-boat-near-portobello-beach-2910790

This week might be a good time to go out and explore Little France Park.  More here: https://edinburghlivinglandscape.org.uk/project/little-france-park/

Councillor Maureen Child

Labour Councillor Portobello/Craigmillar Ward

Office: 0131 529 3268

Mobile: 07718 666 481

Facebook Page: Maureen Child Standing Up for Portobello/Craigmillar

Twitter: @MaureenChild1