Locals and members of The Causey campaign group hold a “sit oot” at the junction of West Crosscauseway and Buccleuch Street most weekends, but recently had more reason than ever to celebrate.
The area has been the focus of two decades of campaigning to turn it into a space for the community rather than a traffic thoroughfare, and recent changes have now been put in place by The City of Edinburgh Council. Black and white bollards cordon off one side of the traffic island, stopping it up, and the other side has been made one way from Nicolson Street to Buccleuch Street (and two way for bikes).
This may not look much (particularly as the island has become one of the Fringe advertising sites using Heras fencing which makes it look a bit like a building site), but the campaigners are delighted at what will be the first moves in a longer term project.
This could be one of several projects funded from the Visitor Levy which became payable in Edinburgh for overnight accommodation since 24 July. The new “tourist tax” is expected to eventually raise around £50 million each year for the city. All Scottish local authorities now have the power to charge a visitor levy on overnight stays in certain accommodation types, but Edinburgh is the first to put it in place. The charge is 5% on the cost of overnight accommodation capped at five consecutive nights.
It is Visitor Levy funding which may eventually make the dreams of the Causey Development Trust come true when the council discusses awarding funding for the larger project next month.
Sarah Drummond, Chair of the Causey Development Trust said: “It’s been a long time coming. It’s been 19 years now since we started campaigning to transform this space into a place that prioritises people, and yes now it has been closed off in one direction to traffic, become two way for cycling in the other direction. The Traffic Regulation Order that was granted in 2022 is now in place so the first phase of the Causey project is off the ground and we can’t wait to see what happens moving forward.”
This is only phase one – but phase two may follow quite quickly behind as the Culture and Communities Committee meets in September to consider assigning funding for the capital works from the Visitor Levy.
Sarah explained that the trust has fully architect designed plans for the space that include seating, trees and “even a police box”. She said: “Those plans are ready to go when we find funding. We have had some very positive feedback through the Tourism Levy funding process so we are confident that hopefully in the future we will be awarded some of that to make the full vision a reality.”
The plans for the next phase show a smoother, more accessible surface which anyone – including wheelchair users or people with other accessibility needs – would be able to use more easily.
The traffic diversions have been in place for a couple of weeks and vehicle drivers are still getting used to the new arrangements but the trust believes even these small changes will enhance the space for all road users.
Historic campaign
In 2007 the campaigners under the leadership of Edinburgh architect, the late Alison Blamire, turned the triangle into a tropical island, which many people still remember. Sarah said: “The aspiration has always been for this to be a space for events, and for community. We have also had dance events and multiple projection events. Once this space is all redesigned and not just a redundant traffic island, with lights in the centre of it, I am sure there will be capacity for even more.”
On why the campaign has taken so long, Sarah believes that the one thing which has held everything back is not having one direct point of contact whether it is in the council, or the funding bodies, to help direct where the project was headed. She said however that the project has had a “huge amount of support from the council”, but not having the impetus to make the change, as well as the pandemic which intervened, did not help.
But now she and the trust are “delighted” that the council have moved so quickly to put this in place, particularly ahead of the festival.
She agreed that the planning process in Scotland is “laborious” but hopes that the Causey’s success shows people that having a good campaign group behind a project makes this kind of thing possible.
She also said that she believes the Visitor Levy is a “huge boost” for the city”, and from what she has seen it is a way of getting projects such as this one off the ground.
She offered thanks to the council and all the volunteers and supporters, and hopes to see people enjoying the space during the festival and beyond. The voluntary group maintain the planters on the triangle and hold sit outs most weekends when they meet and enjoy coffee.
Isobel Leckie, the Secretary of the Causey Development Trust, was one of the founders along with the late Alison Blamire.
She is delighted that Phase One has been achieved, and is also hopeful about the future Visitor Levy funding.
She said: “We hope to hear this autumn and that would mean we could start capital works in the spring. There are still some things to think about. For example we have some magnificent trees in a nursery outside York which we bought in 2008. These are very tall trees now and we have to think about how and when we get them back to Edinburgh during the capital works.
“We also bought a police box a long time ago when Edinburgh World Heritage gave us some money. It wa the only thing we could do at the time – buy a police box – which is still on Leamington Terrace. So we have to think about how much money it will take to transport the box up here and have it restored to good condition.
“But this is immensely better and it feels like a big achievement to have the council – after so much lobbying – to give this priority. But we are also looking forward to having more room for events. I know one of our members has an idea to hold a Festival of Light in Edinburgh, and it would be fantastic to hold that here at The Causey.”
Another similar project which has been on the go for a couple of decades is the Drem to Gullane Path, and there are many similarities between the two voluntary groups who simply want to make an area in their neighbourhood better for everyone.
Councillors agreed that 35% of the funds raised from the Visitor Levy will be invested in Culture, Heritage and Events with 55% on City Operations and Infrastructure and 10% on Destination and Visitor Management. In January 2025 when the levy was approved by the council, Council Leader, Jane Meagher, said: “What an historic moment for Edinburgh. Introducing this ground-breaking visitor levy means realising a once in a lifetime opportunity to invest tens of millions of pounds towards enhancing and sustaining the things that make our city such a great place to visit – and live in – all year round.
“The scheme has been many years in the making and I’m grateful to Council officers, businesses and residents who have helped shape it, every step of the way. Its introduction is declared today with a huge amount of backing, not least from local residents.
“At all stages we’ve listened to and taken account of the views of industry and other stakeholders. It’s in this spirit that we’ve also extended the amount of time hoteliers and small businesses will have to prepare for the changes that are coming in.
“It’s vital that we continue to work closely as we get ready to launch this scheme and deliver the many benefits it is going to bring. We’ve always said this is a city fund and spending decisions need to be taken with a whole city mindset, and we’ll soon be establishing a Visitor Levy Forum with an independent Chair. We’ll also be reporting next steps to executive Council committees.”
The Visitor Levy Advisory Forum has now held several meetings to discuss projects and offer recommendations to the council. Other projects in the offing include the Portobello Kilns, the Tron Kirk and Leith Customs House which are recommended for approval at Thursday’s Culture and Communities committee meeting.
