Five things you need to know today

Dr Bike is in Wester Hailes today

Dr Bike carries out free bike repairs for anyone who turns up – and has a booking. The phone number is 07496190752.

The bike repair service will be available between 10am and 3.30pm on Friday afternoon.

Bus gate binned

The council’s Traffic Regulation Orders Sub-Committee decided on Thursday that the bus gate on Manse Road will be scrapped. This move to reduce through traffic at certain times of the day has been controversial, and has resulted in criminal damage of at least £300,000.

SPOKES, the Lothian cycle campaign, commented afterwards on social media that the sub-committee – a different set of councillors from the Transport and Environment Committee (TEC) – made the decision after about 45 minutes of discussion. TEC on the other hand have discussed this for hours over the years before putting the bus gate in place.

Cllr Marco Biagi said that the market research was poor, and Cllr Norman Work said he did not think the bus gate was working well.

The Liberal Democrats represent this council ward with three councillors who have all said they oppose the bus gate, so it was no surprise that they voted to get rid of it along with Conservative and SNP councillors. The Liberal Democrats said in their amendment that scrapping the bus gate will make traffic flow more efficient and avoid longer journeys or displacement.

You can watch the council meeting here.
There is also a comprehensive account of the meeting here.

Merchiston Community Council leaf clearing scheme

Now that autumn leaves are falling copiously on to our roads and pavements, Merchiston Community Council tell us it has re-started its scheme encouraging residents to help clear the leaves away from their local streets.

Fallen leaves, when they get wet, are a serious slip hazard for pedestrians, while a problem for everybody is that gutters and drains become completely blocked.

A spokesperson said: “If you would like to be part of this scheme, which is run as a collaboration between MCC and Edinburgh City Council, send a message to the email address below and we will tell you where to pick up the necessary tools (shovel, brush, supply of sturdy refuse sacks) and where to leave your filled sacks for the Council to collect. None of this will cost you anything, and you will be making a significant and valuable contribution to the amenity of our neighbourhood.”
For details contact merchistonleafclearing@gmail.com

Colinton/Fairmilehead by-election

Remember that you have to register to vote. If you are unable to or if your preference is not to attend the polling station, any elector may apply for a postal or proxy vote at this election.

Applications for new postal votes, or amendments or cancellations of existing postal or postal proxy votes must reach the office of the Electoral Registration Officer, as undernoted, by 5pm on Wednesday 30 October 2024.
Applications to vote by proxy (not postal proxy), except for emergencies, must reach the office of the Electoral Registration Officer, as undernoted, by 5pm on Wednesday 6 November 2024.
Applications to vote by emergency proxy at this election, i.e., made after the Wednesday 6 November 2024 deadline must reach the office of the Electoral Registration Officer, as undernoted, by 5pm on Thursday 14 November 2024 on the following grounds:
In the case of a medical condition, illness or disability arising after the deadline for ordinary proxy applications.
Are a mental health patient detained under civil powers.
If your occupation, service or employment means you cannot go to the polling station in person and you only become aware of this after the deadline for ordinary proxy applications.
For Scottish local council elections, an elector may be able to change their proxy if their appointed proxy’s circumstances have changed and they cannot reasonably be expected to vote at the polling station.
If you are a Scottish prisoner serving a sentence of 12 months or less.
For advice on postal or proxy voting, contact

Electoral Registration Officer
17a South Gyle Crescent,
Edinburgh EH12 9FL

0131 344 2500

enquiries@lothian-vjb.gov.uk

How long is now? Meanwhile Uses for Old Buildings

What happens when conservation is only for the time being? A “meanwhile use” for a historic building can last for a weekend, a year, or – in some cases – a decade. What do these interventions look like, and what is their impact on the life of the buildings they occupy? 

Wednesday 13 November
6.00 – 7.30pm (Doors Open at 5.30pm)
Tickets £7 on Eventbrite