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Port of Leith Housing Association 40th anniversary

New advertising tower on airport road

Road Works at Lothianburn

Santa brings Christmas cheer to Edinburgh Airport

Twelve Closes Project

As part of Port of Leith Housing Association’s (PoLHA) 40th anniversary it has released a short film looking at the impact it has made in the local community over the past four decades.

Featuring comments by Chief Executive Keith Anderson filmed on The Shore, there were also appearances by various tenants ranging from sheltered housing to mid market rent, giving their views on what was good about having the Association as a landlord and living in Leith.

The film also features The Proclaimers hit Sunshine on Leith, for which PoLHA holds the broadcasting rights for a year.

Keith Anderson said:“As one of Edinburgh’s oldest social landlords, we are obviously doing something right and we felt having a short film featuring our thoughts, as well as our tenants’, was a very fitting way to mark our 40th anniversary.”

To view the film visit www.polha.co.uk/about-us/40th-birthday-celebrations/

The RHASS and premium out of home media owner Ocean have unveiled a state of the art digital tower at the entrance to The Royal Highland Centre on the approach to Edinburgh Airport.

Developed by Ocean in partnership with the RHASS, the architects of Edinburgh One are 3D REID, who also designed the distinctive Edinburgh Airport Tower. The digital advertising tower is located on Eastfield Street.

The screens on the 10.5 metre tall double sided tower each measure 3.84 metres by 5.76 metres high, while the base of the structure features an integrated LED lighting system to amplify campaigns.

Edinburgh One is developed in partnership with the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland, owners of the site which forms part of the RHS Showground.

The tower is located in a section of land ring fenced by the RHASS for the future development of a hotel.  Funding raised through revenues generated by the screen will assist in their site redevelopment plans.

Stephen Hutt, chief executive of The Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland said: “Ocean impressed us with their professionalism and focused approach to the installation of the digital hoarding on the Society’s site at Ingliston, Edinburgh.  The location is an attractive one as it is on the main route to The Royal Highland Centre, which attracts in excess of one million visitors each year, and Edinburgh International Airport.”

Ocean marketing director Richard Malton said: “Our investment in Edinburgh One reflects a step change in the development of the out of home sector.

“The tower is in keeping with local architecture, provides a revenue stream to our development partners and is located on the approach to Scotland’s busiest airport, a key driver for economic growth.”

http://www.oceanoutdoor.com/products/digital/edinburgh-one/

Work to improve the road surface on the A720 Lothianburn westbound off slip road will take place from 8pm to 6am on 3rd December 2015. The road will be open as normal outwith these times.

This scheme will require the closure of the westbound off slip road with a signed diversion in place.

Traffic will be diverted west on the A720 to Dreghorn Junction then on to the A720 eastbound at Dreghorn before exiting at the A720 Lothianburn eastbound off slip.

Around 35,000 vehicles use this section of the A720 each day and this investment will ensure this section of Scotland’s busy South East Trunk Road network continues to operate safely and reliably for years to come.

Real-time journey information can be obtained by visiting www.trafficscotland.org  or on Twitter: @TrafficScotland

To report a problem on the network please visit: http://scottishtrunkroadsse.amey.co.uk/report-a-problem/

LB Jet2 Santa Image 2

Transport for Edinburgh is offering passengers across Edinburgh and the Lothians the chance to win free flights or travel tickets by inviting Santa on their favourite bus and tram routes.

Teaming up with Jet2.com, Jet2 Holidays and Edinburgh Airport, Santa will appear on selected Lothian Buses and Edinburgh Trams during December to delight passengers with early Christmas presents including Jet2.com flights as well as Transport for Edinburgh travel tickets, Edinburgh Airport shopping vouchers and other goodies.

Read more here.

12308585_1171339179561125_783587721482350236_n Bakehouse Close-2022The Old Town’s network of closes and wynds are a key element of the city’s World Heritage status, and date back to the medieval beginnings of the city. Today there are still 74 closes, forming an integral part of the fabric of the Old Town, and home to residents, businesses and many city institutions. There is to be a new project involving lighting and art to bring the closes back into use. There is a common perception that these are unloved and unsafe places and the Edinburgh World Heritage project aims to change that. The photos here are from the exhibition evening held last week at Bakehouse Close.

Adam Wilkinson, Director of Edinburgh World Heritage said: “Historically the closes were the secondary routes through the medieval city, however they have long been underused and in some cases neglected spaces.  We hope that with the help of residents, students, artists, local businesses and the City of Edinburgh’s street lighting and neighbourhood teams we will be able to create something of beauty and enchantment in the closes. We hope to encourage people to explore these neglected historical spaces, improving the quality of the spaces for the residents, and supporting businesses by encouraging footfall”.

Councillor Ian Perry, Planning Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “The improvements to the closes are a key part of the Royal Mile Action Plan. However, many visitors may be unaware that these unique aspects of the city’s history are there to be explored. This project is a great way to showcase the closes using new lighting techniques. Council planners and lighting staff have been working with Edinburgh World Heritage and we are pleased to continue our support for this impressive project.”

Sean Bradley of the Edinburgh Old Town Development Trust said: “It is good news that Edinburgh World Heritage is instigating improvements to selected Old Town closes. Essential to the character of the place, these are also important pedestrian thoroughfares and we look forward to getting residents and others who make daily use of them involved in the project.”

The final selection of closes is still under discussion, but the current shortlist includes Riddle’s Close, Crichton’s Close, Stevenlaw’s Close, Fleshmarket Close, Carruber’s Close, and Bakehouse Close.

The main funding for the project will come from Edinburgh World Heritage. Grants, sponsorship from local businesses and public donations, as well as contributions from the City of Edinburgh Council and other partners, will match the EWH budget of £190,000 to complete the project. EWH will be working in partnership with Edinburgh Napier University and the Edinburgh Old Town Development Trust in delivering the project.

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Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.