by Terence Airlie, Secretary of QDCC.
The last twelve months have been extremely busy for Queensferry and District Community Council. Not only have the usual subjects needed to be addressed, but in addition there has been the matter of the Forth Replacement Crossing. This has called for careful study of the plans, for comment and the placing of considered objections before the Forth Crossing Bill Committee. An ongoing dialogue with Transport Scotland has helped to resolve some of the objections, but a number of areas remain in disagreement and QDCC is currently pursuing these through the Parliamentary process.
QDCC met regularly with representatives of Evans Property Group to discuss the Ferrymuir Phase Two mixed use development plans and has worked closely with the developer to secure the best solution for Queensferry. QDCC also met with Agilent Technologies following the decision to close the Scotstoun facility and have further meetings planned to discuss mutual concerns and how the site might be developed in the future.
QDCC organised a tour of Queensferry for the Director of City Development and Council planning and transportation officials to see the main development sites in Queensferry and areas for potential new parking facilities. A follow-up workshop with the planning department took place to ensure a joined-up approach is taken in local and regional strategies for these development sites.
Transport remains a major issue for Queensferry, and in the past year the main initiative has been the development of a proposed traffic management scheme for Queensferry High Street, which is narrow and cobbled with traffic calming pinch points and suffers from congestion at peak times. The results of a public consultation were provided to the Council with options such as weight restrictions, part-time pedestrianisation or one way systems under consideration. Representations were also made regarding the extension of traffic calming schemes, public transport information, pedestrian facilities and road signage.
New social networking were launched, www.facebook.com/queensferry and you can follow us on Twitter @qdcc
As well as the City of Edinburgh Council, QDCC has continued to work closely with other organisations, including Lothian & Borders Police, business and community groups, developers and youth groups, to maintain and improve Queensferry as a good place to live, work and visit.
