Five things you need to know today
Ding ding! – tram testing begins on Leith Walk
After a long time the tram to Newhaven now looks very real. On Monday night Edinburgh Trams were taking a test tram down Leith Walk to try out the new line. The tram line from the airport to York Place opened on 31 May 2014. It has taken nine years to extend the line to Newhaven at a cost of £207 million.
Trams to Newhaven will add 4.69 kilometres / 2.91 miles of track in both directions, connecting Leith and Newhaven to the current end of the Edinburgh tram line at York Place with 8 new stops, and of course allow anyone travelling to or from Newhaven to go all the way to Edinburgh Airport.
A spokesman said ahead of the event on Monday: “The first stage of testing and commissioning will involve a tram travelling at walking pace along the route. This will take place during evening and night shifts to minimise traffic disruption. As part of the commissioning process, every aspect of the new infrastructure will be thoroughly tested to ensure it meets the required safety standards.
“Please note, this is not a public event. There will be no access for the public onto or near the tram but please exercise caution if you are in the vicinity. A controlled zone will be managed around the tram by traffic marshals and staff will be carrying out specialised tasks. The results of this phase of testing will then be analysed to ensure the tram is operating as expected.”
Read more and see our photos here
Peaceful protest
EDINBURGH! Peaceful protest against the heinous #immigrationBill outside Queen Elizabeth House (UK Gov Office)
A peaceful protest was held on Monday night outside the UK Government office, Queen Elizabeth House on Sibbald Walk. The Edinburgh City of Sanctuary group were demonstrating against the UK Government proposals in the Immigration Bill introduced last week in Westminster. The group say that refugees are not illegal and that they as a group welcome refugees to Scotland.
Community Council meeting
The March Colinton Community Council meeting will be held online via Zoom at 7:30pm on Tuesday 14th March 2023.
The agenda, draft minutes from the previous meeting and from any other business meetings will usually be available on the night online at www.colintoncc.org.uk/minutes.
Gorgie City Farm
EVOC the third sector group which is leading on finding a workable solution for Gorgie City Farm has published a lot of guidance about the way it will work.
The body is not going to run the farm but is working on a business case for the future sustainability of a much loved attraction for children and adults alike.
Read more here. (The page will be updated)
How to subscribe to The Edinburgh Reporter
Our March paper has just been published and has been sent out to existing subscribers. Today we invite you to support The Edinburgh Reporter by buying a subscription.
Our goal is to recruit 500 new subscribers this year. Can you help us achieve that?
Among others all branches of Farmer Autocare stock our newspapers as well as Birthlink on Lower Gilmore Place, and both Leith and Central Libraries.
If you would like to stock our papers then please get in touch.
If you are able to subscribe, then it would help us to keep our online coverage free to access, and also ensure the future of our newspaper for this coming year. And if you do, then thank you very much indeed.
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And if you would like to know a little more about the story behind our front page then here it is…
