Edinburgh councillor blogs – Councillor Maureen Child

Councillor Maureen Child is one of the councillors for Portobello/Craigmillar ward and is standing for election next Thursday 4 May 2017.

She writes :

The next working day in the blossoming Community Orchard at Brunstane (opposite Brunstane Station) is on Saturday 29 April from 10 am – 2 pm. The group of volunteers will be clearing around the trees, feeding new plantings, training the apple tunnel trees and planting wild flowers. Do feel free to drop in at any time – they look forward to seeing you there!

If there is a sewage leak near a water course, like the one into the Brunstane Burn near Newhailes, then SEPA (Scottish Environment Protection Agency) must be alerted on their pollution hotline: 0800 80 70 60. If the leak is in a field, such as at the back of Niddrie Bowling Club at Newcraighall, then we call Scottish Water on 0800 0778 778. Last week I found both organisations’ call centres very helpful and I hope all leaks are now sorted – and we won’t have any repetition!

Further east of the bowling club in Newcraighall, at 115 Newcraighall Road, is the address of the ‘New Brunstane’ application – 105 Newcraighall Road. This very large field, bisected by the main railway line, is no longer Green Belt since it was designated as a housing development site in the new adopted Edinburgh Local Plan. Since objectors narrowly lost the vote at the planning committee hearing last week, despite our very best efforts, the development now has planning permission – in principle.

There was quite a lot of detail in the PPP application, but a whole lot more detail needs to be worked out, like how does the entrance and exit on to Milton Road East over the Brunstane Burn actually work and how is traffic impact to be mitigated? I have opposed the proposals in principle from the outset, as did Historic Scotland. Now – it seems – we must make the best of a bad job. I asked if there could be consideration to enabling the Niddrie Bowling Club, at the eastern edge of Newcraighall, to get access to some land for visitor parking at the rear, as there is none at present and visitors and team coaches have to stop or drop off in a narrow part of Newcraighall Road. It was agreed to take that on board.

By his own admission he is not (yet!) the fittest of men, but Magdalene Community Centre worker Rab Hogg is running a 5k to raise funds to enable the Centre’s youth workers to take local kids away on an outdoor residential course this summer. You can help Rab raise money for this great cause by donating directly to the Centre’s fundraising page.

Read about the proven substantial health benefits of active travel to and from work: http://www.sbs.com.au/cyclingcentral/article/2017/04/20/cycling-work-major-new-study-suggests-health-benefits-are-staggering

And in that context, a response to this consultation on a new cycle and walking route here: https://consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/sfc/design-cycle-walk-niddrie-gilmerton-moredun/consult_view/

Portobello Rugby is in fine fettle after a challenging few years. Running out on the international pitch at Murrayfield proved more than a pipe dream for Portobello Rugby Football Club. Last weekend, they won The Cup against Blairgowrie. Very warm congratulations for a great match and a brilliant win! More on the struggle the Club have had and how they overcame it here.

The new Thistle Centre of Wellbeing in Craigmillar, designed by Chris Dobson and 3DReid architects, has won the 2017 Edinburgh Architecture Association Design Award for Wood. If you haven’t been in to visit this wonderful building, lovely on so many levels and for so many reasons, do pop down to see it all for yourself – no need to wait until a Doors Open Day!

It’s nearly time for the Towerbank Primary School Spring Fair which is on Saturday 13 May, 2-5pm (two week on Saturday). If you have donations for tombola, please do drop them off at the school from Tuesday 2 May. Primary 7 were at Benmore outdoor learning centre this week and – as a grandparent of one Towerbank P7 – I have been watching their progress through Twitter with particular interest.

As many will be well aware, there has recently been a rise in bike thefts. While the local police are making further enquiries into these thefts, they ask everyone to review where they store their bike, at home and when out and about. Bike locks can be expensive, but having one of reasonable quality could help deter criminals.

Do remember to remove lights and other accessories when leaving your bike unattended. Police need your continued support and can’t do this job alone – ever – no matter how many officers are out ‘on the beat’. If you witness any suspicious behaviour, do report it immediately to Police Scotland by phoning 101. In an emergency, always dial 999.

The police have been patrolling in plain clothes, and in uniform, and are collating descriptions of the suspects from witnesses. If you know anything that may assist their enquiry, get in touch using their details below or come to the community police ‘surgery’ in Portobello Library tomorrow, Friday at 1pm.

You can report information in the strictest confidence. There are lots of great tips on how to keep your bike secure on Police Scotland’s website here. If there is more they can do please do not hesitate to contact Constable David Love 5977 and Constable Matt McPherson 12255:

Email: david.love@scotland.pnn.police.uk and matthew.mcpherson@scotland.pnn.police.uk. Police Scotland website is : www.scotland.police.uk

It’s a chilly start to Spring, but there’s always a warm welcome at the monthly Portobello Market (1^st Saturday of the month). The next one is on Saturday 6 May, a week on Saturday. Gates open at 9.30am and the market runs until 1.30pm in Brighton Park, Brighton Place, Portobello. More here: http://www.pedal-porty.org.uk/food/portobello-market/

A couple of people have been asking – Brighton Place carriageway re-building will not be happening until after the new Transport and Environment Committee meets in August. Council policy on designing streets clearly states the final surface should be traditional setts.

Musselburgh Horticultural Society Plant Sale is being held on Saturday 6 May this year at The Hollies Day Centre, High Street, Musselburgh.

Opens 10 am – 12 noon. They are selling bedding plants, perennials, border, shrub and vegetable plants and there will be a Cake and Candy Stall, Tombola and Refreshments. Entrance is £2 per person, which includes a cup of tea or coffee and a slice of cake. Children go free.

p.s. My face-to-face Councillor Advice Sessions, or ‘Surgeries’, are usually every Monday at 5.30 pm in Castleview Community Centre, 76 Craigmillar Castle Avenue (Phone 661 4064) and then at 7 pm in Portobello Library, 14 Rosefield Avenue (Phone 529 5558). Please phone me on Direct Line 0131 529 3268 or Mobile 07718 666 481, or email maureen.child@edinburgh.gov.uk to check availability, make an appointment or request a home visit.