It seems that the ladies of Morningside may have to watch out as one of the items on the agenda of the Transport committee of The City of Edinburgh Council which meets on 27 September 2011 at the City Chambers at 10a.m is that the Council should call for a report on the control of mink across the city. We have to presume they intend to investigate the wild variety rather than the tamer counterparts brought out of storage in winter….
There is a deputation expected from Merchiston Community Council regarding the denesting service for gulls and pigeons, and the same matter is the subject of a motion tabled by Councillor Buchan.
Other matters to be discussed include the bus service to Craigentinny and Portobello, the signing off of the restoration work on the Scotsman Steps, traffic regulation at The Shore, and the installation of Speed Indicators on Queensferry Road at the junction with Buckingham Terrace. Also there is a recommendation to introduce yellow lines in Dublin Meuse in the City centre, the introduction of an electronic system by which parking bays are suspended for removals etc. Apparently the current manual system has led to many invoices for the suspension remaining unpaid, as the system has not been easy to manage.
Of course the Transport Committee could not meet without trams being talked about so there is a motion regarding traffic measures along the Queen Street Corridor tabled by Councillor Mowat, as well as a motion to replace the temporary traffic features and public monuments including the clock on Leith Walk.
Item 21 on the agenda seems to be somewhat at variance with the push by the council (at least in the city centre area) to get rid of street furniture where there was simply too much or it had become redundant. They have done this for example by relocating signs on railings where there was a roadside post before. But in item 21 which deals with the way that disabled parking spaces outside homes will be dealt with, it seems that each space is to have a pole and a sign. This work will cost £225,000, and will be done over the next two years. But, before you write to your councillor, worry not, as the convenor has already written to the Minister for Transport to see if they could perhaps not bother with the signs owing to the ‘substantial cost’. And at Item 24 in another common sense move, there is a recommendation made to the committee not to alter the parking ticket machines to allow for payment by the new 5p and 10p coins which have been introduced as this would incur a cost of £360,000. Instead the parking charges will be amended to allow for 20p increments in payment rather than 5p jumps. The signage on the machines will have to be changed but the cost of that is a more manageable £2,500.
The committee will also discuss the proposal to nominate parks in the city for special dedication to commemorate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee next year which we reported to you here.
One other measure gaining some interest is the proposal to permit cyclists to use the public footpath in certain areas particularly between Seafield and Craigleith.
The Council reported that:-“Residents and visitors to Leith’s Shore can look forward to an enhanced cafe culture scene thanks to improvements set to be made to the South section of this popular thoroughfare.”
Following public consultation on the proposed alterations to traffic measures on the stretch of the Shore between Sandport Bridge and Bernard Street, work is due to begin early next month to implement the changes.
The main objective is to improve the accessibility and quality of the public realm to make it safer, cleaner and more vibrant, enhancing the area as a place to live, work and visit. The improvements are also intended to encourage people to use the local businesses and thereby provide a boost to the local economy.
Councillor Robert Aldridge, Environment Leader, said: “As our consultation demonstrated, there is widespread public support among residents, local businesses and campaign groups for this section of the Shore to be made more pedestrian-friendly. These measures being proposed will go a long way towards improving accessibility and enhancing the bustling cafe culture ambience of the Shore area. In addition, the reduction of traffic on this stretch will lead to lower vehicle emissions once the changes have bedded in.”
Members of the Council’s Transport, Infrastructure and Environment Committee will be asked to approve the traffic management proposal and final design for environmental improvements at the Shore at tomorrow’s meeting.
Here is the full agenda below and we shall report to you after the meeting of any important decisions made.
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