Council was in recess over Easter although the demands didn’t seem to be a lot different. I took a break from this regular self-imposed Update task, at least. It’s sometimes hard to stay positive, isn’t it?
Portobello is a founder member of BEST – Better Edinburgh for Sustainable Travel. Very welcome as an antidote to all the negativity to which I often feel over-exposed. https://theedinburghreporter.co.uk/2021/04/new-group-supporting-active-travel-in-edinburgh/
More coverage of the sauna on the Promenade idea. Warning – it is a positive piece: https://theedinburghreporter.co.uk/2021/04/soul-water-sauna-can-hit-the-right-health-notes-on-porty-prom/. There have been quite a few objections alongside support, all of which will all be considered by the Council’s licensing committee in due course.
Our wonderful Portobello Promenade and beach have been hugely busy in the last few weeks which has led to some antisocial behaviour of various kinds which Police Scotland are doing their level best to deal with, with more resources promised to us this weekend. The pandemic rules mean none of the usual public, leisure or commercial premises’ toilets have been open to customers or public except the inadequate Council-run Pipe Street toilets. To meet the pandemic regulations, these had to be staffed and nowhere else was available to meet the public demand. There is no statutory obligation in Councils to provide public toilets, although I strongly believe there ought to be. Councils are not fairly or adequately funded by Scottish Government to do all we would desperately want and expect to do. Frustrating and infuriating as that is, I have no instant fixes. I do wish I had! People do need to plan properly for their trip, taking the needs of both ends of their alimentary canal into account when they visit anywhere – including Portobello. As and we are all advised it is safe to do so, the Council will reopen the already inadequate Bath Street toilets. But we need a longer term properly funded solution to this. Scottish Government have a primary role to play here both in setting the legal obligations in the interests of public health and properly funding the sustainable solutions. The Council’s transport and environment committee this week discussed a public convenience strategy identifying options for the future of public toilets across the city. This also considered the current arrangements and introduced the possibility of using Covi19 cash to provide some temporary toilets. Petition here: https://www.change.org/p/the-city-of-edinburgh-council-open-public-toilets It will be a big topic for conversation at Portobello Community Council on Monday evening, no doubt.
To report a problem with roads or pavements, here is the avenue to use: https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/roadproblem
The contractor’s remedial work on Brighton Place finished this week to: re-apply construction joint material at carriageway joints,repair the small area of surface cracking next to a gully opposite to church and rectify ponding at pedestrian crossing at junction with Portobello High Street, which was a historical issue, not caused by the recent major works.
My inbox gives me a jaundiced view of the world, so it’s good to see we get some things right: https://theedinburghreporter.co.uk/2021/04/edinburgh-by-numbers-offers-detailed-analysis-of-the-capital/
I love this map, although I don’t think it reflects absolutely everything that’s going on Portobello/Craigmillar Ward and we could add some more to it: https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/news/article/13173/interactive-map-highlights-food-growing-opportunities-across-the-city
Free rapid COVID-19 tests available at Craigmillar Library for residents (with NO symptoms) from Niddrie, Craigmillar, The Jewel, Brunstane, Bingham, Magdalene, The Christians, Newcraighall, North Cairntow. No need to book. From 21 April to 2 May, 9am-6pm. https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/communitytesting
It’s great to see David Calder and his Porty Podcast back up and running again: https://www.buzzsprout.com/71622/8296759
Have a great weekend – staying safe and well and upbeat, if you possibly can!
Maureen
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