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Talking about the Leith Low Traffic Neighbourhood, at Gala Day 2023

Overview

The Leith Festival Gala Day held annually on Leith Links offers a great opportunity to the local Community Councils to carry out their remit to share information and to engage with members of the local community.

This year, at the Gala Day on Saturday 10 June 2023, Leith Links and Leith Harbour and Newhaven Community Councils worked together to gather feedback from community members on the newly implemented Leith Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN).

The stand was staffed by members of the community councils from 11am to 4pm. During that time we spoke to about 200 members of the public, and invited them to share their thoughts about the LTN, using post-it notes on a flip-chart. We encouraged constructive feedback, both positive and negative, and asked people to be as specific as they could be, with examples of how their lives had been affected. In the process of doing this, people ended up discussing the issue with each other, as well as with members of the Community Councils.

A number of broad themes emerged from the feedback, these are covered below. Please also see Annexe 1 for a full list of the comments received. It is obvious that the local community is very divided on the issues.

Comment

Timing-wise, this was just at the very start of the LTN. (At the same time, a new controlled parking zone (CPZ) had just been introduced, so it may have been difficult for some people who contributed their views to be sure which project was affecting them most.)

Not all of those who responded necessarily reside within the LTN area, though as self-selected respondents, all obviously felt invested in the area in some way(s).

Clearly this is not rigorous ‘research’, but just a ‘snapshot’ of views at one particular point in time.

 

Key themes

1. A general acknowledgement that we need to reduce our emissions

Almost all respondents recognised the importance of mitigating the impacts of climate change, generally, and specifically were in favour of reducing emissions.

“We are aiming for 20% less cars – it’s going to be a bit disruptive, but needs to be drastic.”

2. People wanted safer streets, especially for children

A few respondents said that the closures had resulted in a better commute for children and cyclists, and one or two suggested closing Links Gardens again.

“It [the LTN] is safer for kids and pets. Quiet communities make healthier people – physically and mentally.”

“Sandport Bridge closure improves commute for pedestrians and transition from cycle path (Water of Leith).”

3. Very poor consultation and communication with community

The vast majority of respondents said that they didn’t feel there had been adequate consultation by the Council about the LTN. They felt this was typical of the Council and were pessimistic, feeling that their feedback had not been / would not be listened to, and that the Council would not modify its plans. Community members frequently said “what’s the point?” as they felt their views would not be taken into account and that it was too late to do anything. There was quite a bit of anger and frustration. In addition, there was feedback about the lack of sufficient joined-up thinking between the LTN, CPZ and other transport related schemes and initiatives.

“Residents need better communication about decision process, rationale and time frames.”

“Poorly communicated! Changes before anyone knows about it.”

“Not enough consideration for vulnerable people – access including carers and visitors not great.”

“No joined up thinking about various traffic initiatives – LTN, CPZ, LEZ, Trams, etc.”

“I don’t agree with how things have been rolled out. Residents have been ignored.”

Planters

Several respondents mentioned the planters specifically, and felt that they hadn’t been properly planned and thought through, especially from a sustainability perspective.There was concern that these would not be properly maintained by the council. Residents pointed out the neglect of existing trees and planters.

4.  Lack of consultation on, and information about which roads were being closed, and why

This issue seemed to have caused the most frustration. There was consternation and confusion about which roads had been closed and why, seemingly without consultation. The diverting of traffic down Salamander Place came up frequently.

“I love the principle but Salamander Place is not designed for the traffic it now takes, the junction at the Links is dangerous.”

“Salamander Place is not fit for all the traffic that is going to be going down! It’s a cobbled street!”

“Have destroyed my street – Salamander Place – all the traffic pushed down one cobbled street to be most congested place now!”

“Having only one main route (Commercial Street) is causing more congestion and pollution, reopen Sandport.”

“Elderly can’t get to St James’ Church.”

“As a community nurse it has made getting to home visits and parking for home visits more challenging.”

“Unfair on disabled drivers. Just look at Coburg Street.”

“Love safe cycle paths but don’t close all streets around. Not all black and white.”

“Stupid beyond belief. Okay in principle but should have been better thought through.”

5.  Significant concern that traffic and pollution have been displaced to boundary roads

Connected to the confusion over why certain streets have been closed and not others, respondents also shared concerns that the LTN wasn’t actually reducing traffic, but merely pushing it out on to the main roads that surround the zone, and that these are now even more polluted and busy, penalisng residents and pedestrians there.

“Great idea but I live on Great Junction Street and am worried that traffic and pollution by my flat will increase.”

“Open Coburg Street and Academy Street, Duke Street is now too congested, most polluted.”

“Traffic and pollution just get displaced.” “Causing congestion on main roads.” “Bottom of Leith Walk is a car park.”

“Great idea IF it reduces traffic in Leith, but currently creating lots of additional traffic and pollution, making it difficult/dangerous as a pedestrian. Also disrupting buses again after 5 years of tramworks!”

“I spend about 10 mins extra per day in my car idling at low speeds. It doesn’t work.”

“Leith cut in two halves. Traffic congestion. Stupid, stupid.”

6.  John’s Place pocket park is unwelcome and a waste of money

There was added confusion about why John’s Place had been pedestrianised in parts, and why resources have been spent on this change, especially given its location right next to Leith Links.

“John’s Place “pocket park” is stupid. Should have spent the money on doing up the bowling green.”

“Why close John’s Place? Why put this right next to a huge park?”

“It is ridiculous to create an area right beside Leith Links where there is already plenty of leisure space. Save John’s Place!”

7.  Travel in and out of Leith

With the road closures and added congestion on boundary roads around the LTN, people said that it was becoming more difficult to get in and out of Leith.

“As a business owner, it has created a lot of issues for travel in/out, parking and deliveries. Needs urgently reviewed.”

“To get to Western General from the Links now requires adding to congestion on Salamander Street and Great Junction Street.”

“There are simply no alternative routes for east/west traffic, so congestion builds up on Salamander, Bernard Street, Commercial Street.”

8.  Close The Shore

We heard time and again that residents would have preferred The Shore area to be closed to traffic (rather than Sandport Bridge etc.). People felt that if they had been consulted, this is what could have happened and that it would have had multiple benefits for restaurants, bars, pedestrians, and well-being and enjoyment.

“Close the Shore to traffic, it is a beautiful place for pedestrians.”

“Pedestrianise the Shore and increase commercial space for outdoor seating.”

“Why close Sandport Street? Close the Shore where people sit by the water in cafes and pubs.”

Summary

Throughout the day we heard from people who represented different demographics of the Leith and Leith Links areas. We observed that younger people were inclined to be more positive towards the LTN and had more general views on why climate change must be mitigated and emissions reduced. They didn’t appear to have been personally very affected by the changes either positively or negatively. Many of these people said that they cycled.

Older people, carers, people with disabilities, people connected with local businesses trying to trade in the area, and those who had to drive out of the city for work, felt that they had been directly affected by the LTN and that it made their lives more difficult. Many had concrete examples about the impact on their day to day.

Across the board, it was felt that the community hadn’t been properly considered, consulted, communicated with, or listened to.

Numerically, there were more comments AGAINST the LTN than FOR it.

Recommendations
  • We urge Edinburgh Council to engage further and more deeply with the communities affected by the LTN from now on, during the 18-month review period.
  • We recommend that greater effort be made to hear from elderly and vulnerable residents and those who care for them. Since some may be less able to access online surveys, focus groups or door to door in-person surveys might better record these residents’ views.
  • We urge the Council to remain open-minded and flexible to feedback received, and adaptable to potential changes.
  • We recommend that the Council urgently communicates the rationale behind the closure of certain streets to the affected residents.
  • We also encourage the Council to publish and communicate details of how the impact of the LTN will be monitored in 6, 12 and 18 months.

The Leith Links Community Council will continue to gather feedback from residents, and to share this information with the elected Ward Councillors, and with those responsible for the LTN.

Annexe 1 

Responses collected at the Leith Community Councils stand at the Leith Festival Gala Day about the Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN), though some responses touch on the CPZ and other changes in the city.

 FOR

  1. Love it guys! Keep pedestrians walking!!
  2. I live near Coburg Street and now I can get to the Shore
  3. We are aiming for 20% less cars – it’s going to be a bit disruptive but needs to be
  4. Adopt a planter scheme for better maintenance?
  5. I feel a lot safer on the Shore when there are fewer cars around. Much quicker too!
  6. Drivers always shout louder than anyone else. But safe, clean streets are essential.
  7. Wonderful! Can’t wait for double yellows on Restalrig
  8. Great if Leith Links becomes safer for kids from school and park users when crossing roads.
  9. Bridge at Shore closure improves commute for pedestrians and transition from cycle path (Water of Leith)
  10. More cycling in Easter Road, better cycling on Leith Walk and around Leith Links – support LTN
  11. Local people, not cars + public transport
  12. Ignore the well-funded motor lobby
  13. Important for climate change, air pollution and safety!!!
  14. A really good thing! Let it go further. Close Links Gardens to cars again. Good for business and people.
  15. All for less space for cars and more space for people on foot/wheels.
  16. It’s safer for kids and quiet communities make healthier people – physically and mentally.
  17. Protect pavements from inconsiderate drivers preventing movement for mobility challenged
  18. Great, seeing a difference already. Great for walking and cycling, clean air.
  19. Climate change, air pollution, safer streets
  20. Just returned to Leith Links – what a difference. Great!
  21. Best thing to happen for Leith and climate change
  22. Less pollution, safer streets, more public areas
  23. Yay – Bikes +++ Cars – – –
  24. Safer streets so kids can play and walk home!
  25. Give streets back to people not to cars!
  26. Really pleased at the chance to change Leith for the better
  27. Loving it! Quiet streets are safer to walk and
  28. FANTASTIC! Coburg Street and Sandport Bridge is great for cyclists/pedestrians. More please!
  29. It’s great. Expand it! Pedestrianise the Shore, north and south
  30. I don’t like cars driving through

YES, BUT…

  1. Great idea but I live on Great Junction Street and am worried that traffic and pollution by my flat will increase.
    2. Great idea IF it reduces traffic in leith, but currently creating lots of additional traffic and pollution, making it difficult/dangerous as a pedestrian. Also disrupting buses again after years of tramworks!
    3. Love safe cycle paths but don’t close all streets around. Not all black and white.
    4. Less traffic on school streets. Good LTN on the Shore. Improve crossing on Easter Road with Dalmeny Street, unsafe for pedestrians.
    5. I love the principle but Salamander Place is not designed for the traffic it now takes, the junction at the Links is dangerous.

AGAINST

  1. Salamander Street is not fit for all the traffic that is going to be going down! It’s a cobbled street!
    2. Permit parking is a joke – council scandalous money-making scheme!
    3. More attention to the needs of Edinburgh citizens NOT tourists
    4. Left turn at Easter Road now getting put back after all the trouble of taking it away.
    5. Having only one main route (Commercial Street) is causing more congestion and pollution, reopen Sandport.
    6. I don’t agree with how things have been rolled out. Residents have been ignored.
    7. Parking issues for residents. Yellow lines OTT!!!
    8. John’s Place “pocket park” is stupid. Should have spent the money on doing up the bowling green.
    9. Why close John’ Place? Why put this right next to huge park?
    10. No left turn off Leith Walk a nightmare. But buses slashed too, will we get 12 or 21 back??
    11. Bus service disrupted since trams
    12. Yellow lines outside Doctor surgery = problem with parking for patients (Mill Lane)
    13. Edinburgh Council’s transport plans stink
    14. As a business owner, it has created a lot of issues for travel in/out, parking and deliveries. Needs urgently reviewed.
    15. Close the Shore to traffic, it is a beautiful place for pedestrians
    16. Close the Shore to all traffic
    17. Fix the cobbles at Tower Street (Constitution Street corner), Camber? Is now off and drains blocked causing flooding
    18. Now dangerous, especially with two schools nearby. Close Links Gardens again.
    19. Not thought through
    20. Bottom of Leith Walk is a car park
    21. Almost impossible to cross Leith Walk – just went too far
    22. Open Coburg Street and Academy Street, Duke Street now too congested, most polluted
    23. Need to turn left on Leith Walk
    24. Traffic and pollution just get displaced
    25. Why close Sandport Street? Close the Shore where people sit by the water in cafes and pubs
    26. Residents need better communication about decision process, rationale and time frames
    27. Over the top! E.g. closing the Sandport Bridge getting to Aldi
    28. The most poorly thought out, half-witted project yet. Polluting key areas, causing maximum congestion, making it unsafe to cross main roads. Hell mend you!
    29. Only makes sense if you close The Shore.
    30. Close the Shore! And some other streets.
    31. Stupid beyond belief. Okay in principle but should have been better thought through.
    32. Pedestrianise the Shore and increase commercial space for outdoor seating.
    33. Elderly can’t get to St James’ Church
    34. Close The Shore! We love the idea of coffees/drinks in the sun outside!
    35. It is ridiculous to make Easter Road into resident parking without telling the residents it is going to happen.
    36. To get to Western General from the Links now requires adding to congestion on Salamander Street and Great Junction Street
    37. Why not close The Shore? Any other city would make the most of it!
    38. How are the emergency services able to get places quickly with the road closures?
    39. This will increase pollution on Salamander Place!
    40. Absolutely crazy!
    41. Causing congestion on main roads
    42. Stop developing industrial and commercial areas into residential
    43. What plans do you have for looking after the planters!!!
    44. Poorly communicated! Changes before anyone knows about it
    45. It is ridiculous to create an area right beside Leith Links where there is already plenty of
    leisure space. Save John’s Place!
    46. As a community nurse it has made getting to home visits and parking for home visits
    more challenging.
    47. Unfair on disabled drivers. Just look at Coburg Street.
    48. Have destroyed my street – Salamander Place – all the traffic pushed down one cobbled
    street to be most congested place now!
    49. Moronic
    50. Permit – money for council that residents need to cover, outrageous
    51. Road closures a DISASTER. Traveling from other side of Leith Walk to Easter Road is
    awful.
    52. Why close Sandport and not the Shore?
    53. Why close Sandport Street where there was no congestion. Close the Shore.
    54. Accident waiting to happen, bikes incoming to oncoming traffic over cobbled roads!
    55. Causes congestion, more pollution, poor public transport
    56. Not enough consideration for vulnerable people – access including carers and visitors not great
    57. Lived here for 50 years, this is terrible
    58. The double yellow lines around Chapel Lane are preventing my daughter and other carers from visiting their dependents.
    59. No joined up thinking about various traffic initiatives – LTZ, LEZ, Trams, etc.
    60. I spend about 10 mins extra per day in my car idling at low speeds. It doesn’t work.
    61. Leith cut in two halves. Traffic congestion. Stupid, stupid.
    62. Traffic on main streets!! Pollution, noise from cobbles
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Remembering Lost Leithers

It’s always a shock when you hear about the death of a much loved Leither. 

This week has been particularly bad with the deaths of three people who contributed so much to our community.

The Queen of Leith, Mary Moriarty died last week and her funeral is on Tuesday 25th October. A service will be held in South Leith Parish Church at 12pm then on to Seafield Crematorium (limited spaces). You will then have the chance to raise a glass to Mary in The Dockers Club and share your memories with friends.

Mary was well known in Leith, not only as the owner of the famous Port of Leith pub where many a fun night was had, but also for her many years of hard work with Leith Festival helping it survive through good times and bad.

From my window I remember that on the day before the gala Mary would be out on the Links spraying and numbering the pitches for the gala day stalls.

She was always there at the crack of dawn on the Saturday and still there hours after the last stall had left with a litter picker and black bin bag making sure the park was cleaner than how she had found it.

I’m proud to say that I knew Mary for many years, and she will be sorely missed by many of us in the Leith community who will all have our fond memories of her. She could always make you smile even when you were feeling down.

I also lost another friend, Jim Tweedie recently who died over a week ago and his funeral is on Friday, 28 October, Warriston Crematorium at 2pm. 

Jim was a hard working member of the Leith Community and Chair of Leith Local History Society preserving our history and informing new residents about our rich past.

The society continue to meet on the third Tuesday in the month in the community centre and with a series of monthly talks.

Jim and I were also on the steering group to save Custom House for the people of Leith and with the help of local councillors, especially Councillor Gordon Munro the city council was persuaded to purchase the building using Common Good Funding. Work to establish a heritage display in the building is ongoing.

Finally, Davie Jeneil who ran a successful jewellers shop in Great Junction Street for over 30 years providing gifts for the many birthdays, weddings and celebrations of Leithers.

I also knew Davie as a great supporter of Leith Rules Golf Society. His family always put in a team for the Foulis Medal. A fun competition on the Links every year using hickory golf clubs which is open to local Leith businesses and community groups.

When Davie’s son in law turned up to play, I always thought we would be quicker just handing him the medal because he is such an excellent player.

Davie also supported the society by providing the quaichs and engravings for our other team events and again he will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

On behalf of Leith Links Community Council, I would like to extend our condolences and best wishes to the family and friends of all these great Leithers who we will all miss.

Jim Scanlon MBE

Chair 

Leith Links Community Council

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Reply from Lothian Buses

It appears that Lothian Buses will not take up our invitation to attend tonight’s Community Council meeting. Discussion of the matter will remain on the agenda however, as we continue to collect the views of the local community on the bus route changes. If you wish to attend the meeting, please email contact@leithlinkscc.org.uk to get the link.

We have however today received the following letter, in response to the letter we sent last week (see below). Please feel free to add any comments you may have below, and we will collect these and forward to Lothian in due course.

29.08.22

From from Gaynor Marshall, Communications Director of Lothian Buses

Thank you for taking the time to write to Lothian.

As we recover from the impact of the pandemic, we acknowledge that there have been fundamental shifts in societal working trends and corresponding shifts in travel patterns. It is critical that Lothian continue to review and adapt your bus network to reflect current travel habits, match supply and demand and maintain commercially viable services to allow us to deliver a service for all of our customers.

As we move toward the cessation of Scottish Government financial support in the autumn it is vital that we stabilise our network and form a solid foundation on which to base our next steps in economic recovery.  With these challenges in mind,  it might be helpful for us to provide some background around the process for the changes in Lochend, Restalrig and Leith Links.

With regard to Leith Links, the situation back in November 2019 was that the 12 had been diverted away from Leith Links due to the closure of Constitution Street as part of the tram project construction.  This left service 1 which had been operating a one way loop via the Links since the removal of the roundabout at the foot of Easter Road.  As part of the next round of closures in the Leith area that were planned to be put in place from Spring 2020 most bus services were planned to be diverted or altered.  For Leith Links this would have seen service 1 extend to Seafield via Vanburgh Place/East Hermitage Place to replace then service 12, which was curtailed in the city centre.  Immediately prior to this change the Coronavirus pandemic broke out and the city’s bus network was hastily adapted to run as a skeleton service during the initial lockdown period.  Subsequently the Spaces for People project closed a number of roads in the Leith Links area which prevented any bus route from operating across the Links.

Service 12 was not ‘summarily removed’ from Leith, the original and indeed Final Business Cases for the Tram project have always assumed that service 12 (along with service 22) would no longer operate via Leith Walk and would be curtailed to the city centre.  The northbound closure of Leith Walk from Spring 2020 led us to anticipate a significant reduction in demand for bus travel based on our experience with previous longer term closures for tram related works on Leith Walk.  As a result a number of changes were implemented to reduce excess capacity and reduced costs which included curtailing service 12 at the start of the project rather than on the introduction of trams in service.

When looking at reinstating a bus service across Leith Links we were faced with the lack of additional resources and a need to not increase operating costs, whilst at the same time remaining cognisant of the need to retain as many existing bus links as possible.  The only option to serve Leith Links under these circumstances was to re-route service 34 between Sleigh Drive roundabout and Ocean Terminal.  In order to provide a reasonable journey time (please see below) the new route would be via Restalrig Road the Links Gardens, Bernard Street and Commercial Street.  This led us to consider the provision of buses on both Restalrig Road, Lochend Road, East Hermitage Place which have links to Leith Walk and the city centre.  By swapping both pairs of services (34 49 to Restalrig and 21 25 to Lochend) both corridors retain their links to the city centre (25 and 34) and to Leith Walk (25 and 49) and to, whilst services 1 and 49 provide the same links on East Hermitage Place. 

Journey times to and from the city centre will change slightly with most journeys being timetable to be quicker.  Current journey times and new journey times are shown below along with a comparison with service 12 for Leith Links from 2019.

12 (2019) 25 (current) 25 (new) 34 (current) 34 (new)
Leith Links to Leith Street/York Place 18 minutes 17 minutes
Restalrig Road to Leith Street 18 minutes 15 minutes
Lochend Road to Leith Street 13 minutes 16 minutes

Lastly, regarding a link from the Leith area to the Western General Hospital, we understand the continuing desire for such a link, and indeed would be supportive of such an initiative in the medium to longer term, however given current pressures we are unable to commit to such a service at this time. 

I hope that this gives a bit more background information and context.

Lothian is absolutely committed to delivering for our customers and I know the significant role we play in a sense of community   I appreciate and acknowledge all that you state and I’m sorry that these changes have caused concern amongst some of your constituents.   However the (harsh) reality as previously mentioned is that as we move toward the cessation of Scottish Government financial support in the Autumn it is vital that Lothian take the necessary steps to stabilise our network and form a solid foundation on which to base our wider economic recovery.

Gaynor Marshall

Communications Director

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From Leith Links Community Council, 22.08.22

Dear Sirs

I am writing on behalf of Leith Links Community Council, with regard to the imminent proposed changes to bus services in our area.

As you are aware, we have been campaigning for a new bus service to run through Leith Links to serve the large population in the growing number of new housing developments on the north side of the Links. We were looking for a new service, to replace the No. 12 service that was summarily removed a couple of years ago. We were NOT looking for a revamp of several well-established and well-used bus services in the wider area beyond the Links – that, while it could benefit some residents (nearest to the Links), could significantly disadvantage many others in our community (residents along the Restalrig Road and Lochend Road corridors).

In the discussions we have had most recently, with Ian Bieniowski and later John White, and Ben Ritchie, we were led to believe that prior to a new service being, hopefully, introduced in due course, Lothian Buses would continue holding discussions with the community, as regards the needs of local people. Also we were expecting to see proposals that would be presented with a view of how local bus routes are expected to link to / work with the tram service, and with some data on actual and projected usage, and catchment area, including the catchment numbers still to be built along Seafield Road.

So while we appreciate that Lothian Buses has, in one sense, ‘listened’ and been willing to act promptly, we are however very disappointed, that you have autocratically introduced sweeping changes without any consultation with the local community, and with no transparency, or presentation/communication of evidence. Also with very little notice and a lack of information about the existing and proposed new frequency of the relevant services.

Can we meet as soon as possible, please, to discuss this? And please will you send a representative to our next meeting of the Leith Links Community Council, which will be online on Monday 29 August at 6:30 pm, to explain the proposed changes and to answer questions? That meeting will be open to the public.

The immediate response to the proposed changes from our local community has been mostly negative, as far as we can establish so far. (Our efforts at consultation will continue.)

On the positive side, a bus running through the Links, and access to Aldi and Ocean Terminal, will be welcome, so thank you for that. But overall the 34 is probably the least popular bus that could possibly have been chosen, as it is relatively infrequent and a very slow route into town because it follows a circuitous route. Therefore it is perhaps not likely to attract much of a ridership going south into town (which may be used as an excuse to later axe it again…?). However the wholesale swapping over of Lochend Road buses with Restalrig Road buses has met with some horrified hostility. Why is this necessary? The 25 and 21 are both much needed routes, well-used by residents around the Links as well as further up Restalrig Road, and losing those is a very high cost for the local population.

This is not just a minor adjustment, though it may look like that to fit young people sat in front of a big map onscreen. On the ground, in real life, the distance between Restalrig Road and Lochend Road is too far to ‘just walk through’ for older and less able people. People adapt and develop their lives – and often make momentous decisions about their jobs, and house purchases – around the bus services that are available to them. Sudden changes to bus services can be traumatic and life changing. Also, having to take two buses instead of one can be unaffordable for many, especially in the current cost of living crisis.

The changes you are proposing (swapping 25 & 21, for 34 & 49 which, aside from their routes, are both less frequent services), seem to be maximally disruptive to both local communities (Restalrig Road and Lochend Road) without actually addressing any of the other main issues with bus services in Leith (no bus to Western General, concern over the loss of the No. 22, traffic congestion in Great Junction Street etc.).

We look forward to hearing from you, urgently, on this matter.

Sally Millar, Secretary

On behalf of Jim Scanlon MBE, Chair

Leith Links Community Council

 

Cc

Scott Arthur, Transport for Edinburgh, Convener, Transport & Environment Committee

Elected Councillors

(Ward 13) Booth, Faccienda, McVey

(Ward 14) Aston, Griffiths, Staniforth, Whyte

 

 

£eith Chooses needs your vote, now!

Have you voted yet? £eith Chooses is the way that money gets allocated to community projects in Leith. There is £56,102 available but 20 charities/ groups have applied for up to £5,000 each, so sadly they can not all be successful. Who decides where the money goes?

Not the Councillors or Council officials (- though that’s how it was done in ‘the old days’)

Now, YOU do!

WE do!

If you live, work, study or volunteer in Leith, and are 8 years old or over, you vote for your favourite projects, and the groups / projects with the most votes get the funding.

It’s local democracy in action. It’s trusting local people community to know best what’s right for their own local community.

Voting is open until midnight on Monday 31st January and is pretty quick and easy to do. Please do participate!

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Scottish Water’s Seafield Shenanigans

At the last Seafield Stakeholders’ meeting we complained yet again about the fact that our small voluntary Community Council has been doing all the work of effectively gathering complaints about Seafield smells, while big powerful and well-funded organisations like SEPA, Veolia and Scottish Water just sit back.

This imbalance of power:effort led our MSP to charge Scottish Water with the duty to meet with us to explore ways of working together to create a more effective complaints system for all.

However, when we met, we found that Scottish Water had already used our template to create a new reporting system which is in their control exclusively. We in the community are to have no access to complaints (which they call ‘observations!) This, we were told, was because of privacy issues.

We felt that this action was a betrayal of trust and goodwill, and that we were left with the difficult choice of either dropping our own complaints system in favour of one we will have no access to, or keeping ours and having two systems running at once, causing confusion for local residents.

The Community Council felt overwhelmingly that it was vital that we keep our independent complaints system, so that we and others have evidence and data  around which to campaign.  You will see it is still there on our website, to use.

Although winter does not tend to be a ‘smelly season’, that can start as early as February, and we ask you to please continue to use our complaints facility whenever you notice a Seafield stench, whether it be of sewage, burning rubber or other chemical smells. Don’t hesitate, it only takes a few minutes!

 

 

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Site

The site currently under discussion is positioned at the edge of Leith Links adjoining John’s Place & Links Place. Also bordering the site is Leith Community Croft & Leith Links tennis courts. The site is entirely surrounded by a large hedge (which is not trimmed as regularly as it should be), which effectively separates this area off somewhat from the

» Read more

What are you doing this weekend?

Voting in £eith Chooses, hopefully!

Voting is open for just two more days, and closes at midnight on Sunday 31st January. Don’t miss the boat! And please remind all your friends and family to vote (if they live, work, study or volunteer in Leith).
Vote at www.edinburgh.gov.uk/voteleithchooses
What is £eith Chooses? If you haven’t heard of it before, or haven’t voted before, here’s a quick run down of the background and aims of the whole thing – » Read more

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Leith for Ever

Leith Links Community Council has been asked by Leith for Ever to share the following information. Please note that Leith Links Community Council has not discussed the Leith for Ever project and therefore is providing the information without comment or endorsement.

 

Leith for Ever
 

Leithers past and present are being asked to share their thoughts about the area as part of a new lottery-funded project, An evolving online exhibition which will feature 100 people, places, objects and events which represent the independent spirit of Leith. Launched on the centenary of Leith becoming part of Edinburgh, on November 5, 1920, it takes its title from a protest banner which read: “Leith For Ever.  We protest against Amalgamation.”

 

The exhibition is the brainchild of a group of Leith-based organisations, including Leith Civic Trust, Yardheads productions, Leith Festival and Cinetopia in response to the City of Edinburgh Council Archive’s ReDrawing Edinburgh project.  Originally the City of Edinburgh Council planned a year of events to mark the centenary of the amalgamation of eight districts into Edinburgh – however because of the Covid crisis most of the activity has had to take place online.

 

The Leith For Ever project received funding from the National Lottery Community Fund, which made awards in October to support organisations dealing with the Covid crisis.  

 
Join us each day to celebrate the people and places of Leith: www.LeithforEver.org/100Days
You can also find us on facebook, twitter and instagram: @LeithForEver
Share your ideas of individuals, places, objects, or stories about Leith that you would like to see featured, or volunteer to provide content for a post: www.LeithforEver.org/submit
We would also love to hear from any community groups or organisations who might want to get involved in the project. Please email us on hello@LeithforEver.org.

Image of the Leith For Ever Banner from Edinburgh City Council Capital Collections here:

 

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£eith Chooses 2021 – it’s happening!

It was unclear whether or not £eith Chooses would be able to go ahead this year or not, but the good news is Yes! It’s happening!

The application process for £eith Chooses 2021 is now open – and your community group is invited to apply.

To find out more, and to download an Application Form, head over to the £eith Chooses website.

£eith Chooses (called £eith Decides, originally) is an annual event since 2010 in which members of the local community in Leith vote to make the decisions on how community grants funds are to be allocated to local community projects. It’s called ‘participatory budgeting’ (PB) but its more than that – it’s a brilliant form of community engagement and involvement,  as local voters get to know about the great community groups and projects in their area.

Leith Links Community Council has been very closely involved with this process for many years, having been the successful recipient of Scottish  Government  funding to support PB (between 2016 – 2019) and also very actively involved in the day to day running of the organisation of £eith Chooses (via the Steering Group – a partnership between the Leith Community Councils, the City of Edinburgh Council, and community groups in Leith).

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Seafield Update

Information received from Scottish Water:

“We wanted to make you aware that Veolia plans to clean the storm tanks at Seafield between Monday 21st September and Wednesday 23 September, next week.  This is the first available opportunity to complete this maintenance task following the recent heavy rainfall in the catchment area, and whilst weather conditions are forecast to be favourable.

In addition, as part of planned maintenance activities at the site, Primary Settlement Tank 1 (PST1) is to be drained and cleaned. This activity has been scheduled to commence today with work expected to take approximately one week.

Conditions are currently forecast to be favourable and every effort will be made to minimise the odour risk when carrying out these activities.

Both SEPA and the City of Edinburgh Council have been informed.

We will issue a further update once Veolia has completed the work.

Note: A link to this communication will be posted on social media and also on our website  – https://www.scottishwater.co.uk/seafield

As always if you smell any sewage it’s important that you complete our report form.

I can assure you that all public bodies and elected councillors sit up and pay attention to every complaint made. Your MSP Ben MacPherson has also worked hard on your behalf to secure a commitment by the Scottish Government to invest no regrets funding to reduce odour emissions in 2020/21 and a new state of the art sewage works will be built on the same site in 2030 hopefully to end the Seafield Stench.

Jim Scanlon

Chair, Leith Links Community Council

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