Saving Roseburn Path
A second petition has been established to support “saving” the Roseburn Path from development by the council for a north south tram route to Granton – where around 4,500 new homes are being built. This one is set up by Dr Suzy Scarlett MBChB, MRCGP, MRCP (UK 2012), DipBSLM, BSLM Regional Lead.
The new petition makes this demand of councillors: “We urge you to reconsider the proposed tram route along Roseburn Path and continue to innovate and explore alternatives that will safeguard this essential space for walking, cycling, and community well-being. We must ensure that urban development projects align with the goal of reducing health inequalities and enhancing access to public health resources for all, regardless of socio-economic background.”
The tram route is under consideration but no consultation has yet begun. The latest update is that the council will issue a confirmed date for the consultation “in early 2025”.
It is quite likely to take a decade before any tram extension is built – whether it uses the old railway line or crosses the Dean Bridge. Most other transport projects completed in the last year have taken that long to complete – City Centre West to East Link (CCWEL) and the extension of the cycle path to the canal are two which come to mind.
The first petition begun by the campaign to Save the Roseburn Path is actually politically backed by the Liberal Democrats as it is embedded on their website. The cynical view is that the petition was established at the time of the general election in 2022 when campaigning for Westminster required names and addresses.
The less cynical may believe that the Liberal Democrats on the council actually will examine all options for any tram extension to Granton. It was the Liberal Democrat councillors who proposed that a second option would be put on the table for consideration. The council is bound by a decision made in the autumn to look at the options for the Roseburn route and also the Orchard Brae route. This will include the possibility of creating a high quality walking and cycling route alongside the tram if it is built on the Roseburn Path. The path was formerly a railway line and would be the easier build as there are no utilities underneath. It would also we understand be the less carbon intensive option. If the line is to be built on the road then there would be disruption for vehicular traffic during the build, but no real disruption for cyclists and walkers. But the difficulties which the council encountered on Leith Walk were largely around utilities under the street as it was simply not known what was under the road and pavement surfaces.
Tree City of the World
The capital has been recognised for its “dedication to protecting and cherishing the urban tree canopy”.
Edinburgh is one of 27 cities which join 210 Tree Cities in 24 countries. This programme was founded in 2019 by The Arbor Day Foundation, the world’s larges non-profit dedicated to planting trees.
There are five standards – clear responsibility for tree care, official tree management rules, update an inventory of local trees, allocate a dedicated tree planting budget and hold an annual tree celebration event. Edinburgh has met the criteria and now has the new status along with Belfast and Cardiff.
Exhibition of Japanese woodblock
An exhibition is being staged by the Victor Murphy Trust at Edinburgh Central Library from 2 – 29 April featuring a full reproduction set of the Utagawa Hiroshige 53 Stations of the Tokaido Highway, linking Tokyo(Edo) and Kyoto in Japan. The original Hiroshige woodblocks set was created in 1833-34 and this is a mid 20th century reproduction.
New library for Ratho
The new Ratho Library has officially opened its doors, moving into its permanent location after closing in 2020 and serving as a mobile service since 2021.
The opening celebration includes the unveiling of a special artwork inside the library, showcasing a quote chosen by the local community.
In the summer of 2023, the library hosted a community vote to select a quote from a selection of beloved children’s books. The winning quote, now proudly displayed above the children’s library section, is from Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. The quote celebrates the joy of reading and literature, making it a perfect fit for the new library’s vibrant atmosphere.
In addition to the winning quote, illustrations of Rowena frog and other characters from the book accompany the quote, further enhancing the library’s welcoming environment for young readers.
Each child who attends the early years centre adjacent to the new library will receive a copy of Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler to mark the official opening of the new library.
The winning quote is from Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book (2005) written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler. Macmillan Children’s Books (Pan Macmillan).
‘About Rowena Reddalot,
a very well-read frog,
Who jumped upon a lily pad
and jumped upon a log,
Then jumped into the library
which stood beside the brook,
And went, “Reddit! Reddit! Reddit!”
as she jumped upon a book…’
Julia Donaldson said: “I have long campaigned on the valuable role that public libraries play in communities and in developing a love of books. I am very pleased that this library is opening in Ratho; it isn’t news that you hear every day. I want to thank everyone who voted to see Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book featured on the walls in the children’s area and I hope this joyful space introduces a new generation of readers to stories they will treasure for life.”
Axel Scheffler said: “It is an honour to know that Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book was chosen by the local community in Ratho to feature in their new library. I would like to thank them all and also the librarian team who have worked so hard to make this happen. I am so pleased that Rowena frog and Charlie will welcome young readers into the children’s area and I hope they will inspire families to discover great new books together.”
Event at St Peter’s Lutton Place
On 17 March there will be a local history talk at St Peter’s Lutton Place at 2.30pm. The subject will be the lives of William Duncan and his wife Elizabeth Ezard. Mr Duncan established the Duncan School of Pharmacy dispensing to the poor in St Leonard’s. His “elegant wife” commissioned this window in his memory.
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