West End reopens for business – MPs campaign against privatisation of East Coast continues – Council putting economic development first- Portobello Pop-up Market – St Cecilia’s Hall tonight
Following six years of disruption the West End will reopen this morning to pedestrians and traffic.
A range of changes to traffic arrangements in the West End will now come into force with changes to public transport and vehicle access. These include a return to two-way vehicle traffic at Manor Place and bus, taxi and cycle access to Shandwick Place, with general vehicles permitted entry between 8pm – 7am. Full details of traffic arrangements can be accessed on the Council’s website.
Council Leader Andrew Burns said:-“This is another significant step in the tram project.”
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Edinburgh Labour MPs Sheila Gilmore and Mark Lazarowicz continued their campaign against the privatisation of East Coast on Friday afternoon by speaking to passengers outside Waverley station.
They were joined by Sarah Boyack Lothians MSP as well as trade unionists, and the session coincided with the hand-in of a 23,000 signature petition to the Department of Transport in London by campaigners calling for the line to be kept in public hands.
Speaking afterwards Sheila Gilmore said:”Passengers recognise the improvements to services that East Coast have made under public ownership over the last four years. They also appreciate that at present, all profits are retained for public benefit, rather than lost to shareholders.’
‘The decision to privatise East Coast puts this at risk and shows that David Cameron and his Ministers put ideology before the needs of passengers and taxpayers.’
Mark Lazarowicz said:-‘East Coast has achieved success under public operation, receiving less subsidy than any of the other 18 private franchises and paying back more to the taxpayer than all but one.’
‘It has done that with no certainty about how long it would continue to remain in public hands. Ministers should now drop their plans for privatisation to give East Coast stability so it can plan for the future.’
Sarah Boyack MSP said:-‘I expect most people couldn’t care less who runs their trains, as long as they’re frequent, on time and affordable. However the Government’s decision to re-privatise East Coast ahead of the next General Election could have a detrimental impact in these areas, and that’s why I’ve got involved in the campaign against these plans.’
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The importance of Edinburgh’s economic development as a central part of the Council’s strategy will be reinforced as councillors are asked to approve a new Director of Economic Development post at the meeting of Council next week.
Greg Ward is currently Head of Economic Development at the City of Edinburgh Council and his post has been re-designated to Director.
Councillor Frank Ross, Convener of the Economy Committee, said: “This recommendation reflects the status of the role and the importance that we attach to promoting and supporting Edinburgh’s economic competitiveness on an international stage. Greg has driven forward our Strategy for Jobs and just last week we celebrated the many achievements of the last year including the success of the Edinburgh Guarantee and the opening of our new Grade A office space at Atria.”
Sue Bruce, Chief Executive, said; “Greg has been doing an excellent job leading on economic development over the last while. By recommending that we now redesignate his position as a Director, we are reinforcing the importance of economic development to the Council in driving forward growth in the city. If approved, we will continue to ensure that economic development is at the heart of everything we do as a Council.”
Hugh Rutherford, the Chair of the Edinburgh Business Forum, said: “The Edinburgh Business Forum is delighted that economic development is being prioritised by the City of Edinburgh Council’s recommendation that Greg Ward’s role is to become Director of Economic Development.
“This appointment would be timely, as the national economy emerges from economic downturn. With Edinburgh’s knowledge based economy and a critical mass in several key growth areas, and with record levels of foreign direct investment coming into the city during the downturn, Edinburgh is potentially well placed for future growth. However, there is considerable global competition, and it is important that economic development is at the forefront of the Council’s activities. The EBF looks forward to continuing working with Greg and his experienced team going forward.”
David Birrell, Chief Executive, the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, said: “The role of the Council in supporting growth, jobs and harnessing the power of public and private business partnerships is more important than ever. The post of Director of Economic Development is key in recognizing this priority, maintaining the momentum achieved to date and building further Edinburgh’s economic profile as a city both domestically and internationally.“
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Tonight at St Cecilia’s Hall in the Cowgate, The Queen’s Hall are putting on a classical music concert.
Corelli Tercentenary Concert:
The Angel of the BowRodolfo Richter: violin; William Carter: theorbo/baroque guitar; Nicholas Parle: harpsichord
‘… the works of the great Corelli became the onely musick relished for a long time, and there seemed no satiety of them, nor is the virtue of them yet exhaled, and it is a question of whether it will ever be spent, for if musick can be immortall, Corelli’s consorts will be so’.
So wrote Roger North in 1728 and his words are just as valid in 2013, 300 years after Corelli’s burial in the Pantheon in Rome. Palladians celebrate his wonderful achievement with four sonatas from his Opus 5, guitar arrangements of his music by Santiago de Murcia, and harpsichord sonatas by his great compatriot Domenico Scarlatti.
Booking details here.
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
