June 2025 news from Councillor Neil Ross

After school childcare in Morningside

The recent decision by Sight Scotland to close the Kidscene childcare facility at the Royal Blind School in Canaan Lane on 26 June 2025 is a major concern for parents. I have been pushing for action from the Council to address the immediate pressures arising on after-school and holiday childcare provision and I’ve been told that officers have explored options to increase provision in the Morningside area. I understand that a provider is in the process of registering a new after-school care club at Greenbank Church, which might start in August, and there are also negotiations for a new provider of Kidscene. However, the Council has confirmed there is no space in either SMPS or CLPS to expand the current provision and it seems a lack of community space is a significant barrier to new providers.

Progress on Polwarth Roundabout Redesign

Following excellent research and engagement by Merchiston Community Council, the Council has announced further funding for the redesign of Polwarth Roundabout. Design work on a new road layout to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety is progressing after the approval of additional funds. Once designs have been completed, the Council intends to consult with local residents and businesses. More information is available here.

Do you have a problem Bin Hub?

In light of the revised bin hub location policy, that takes account of resident amenity issues, the Council has agreed to a final review of problem bin hubs over the summer. A recent report on bin hubs contains two lists as appendices – the first is of hubs where a change of location is being progressed and the second is where complaints have been received. If you have noise, odour, outlook or privacy concerns about a bin hub near you and you have a suggestion for an alternative location that meets the Council’s revised location policy, and it is not on either of these lists, then please contact me by 2 June via cllr.neil.ross@edinburgh.gov.uk and I will ask Council officers to add it to a list for review over the summer. The report is at item 8.3 on the agenda here https://democracy.edinburgh.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=136&MId=7245&Ver=4

Greenbank/Meadows Quiet Connection delay

At a presentation given to Morningside Community Council recently, the Council project officer for the Greenbank/Meadows Quiet Connection outlined details of revised Option 3 and announced a further delay on implementation, now expected in the autumn. The scheme design is available here.

Morningside Masons & Medieval Stones

Morningside Heritage Association is conducting a research project on old ecclesiastical stones, possibly originating from the 15th century Trinity Collegiate Church, which was demolished in 1848 for the construction of Waverley Station. The stones may have been brought to Morningside by a local stone mason. If you would like to see the stones, hear more about the project and become involved in it, contact morningsidestones78@gmail.com. There is more information on Morningside Heritage Association here.

Neighbourhood Alert

Neighbourhood Alert is a secure community messaging system which allows key information providers, such as the Police and Neighbourhood Watch Scotland, to email registered users with reliable, localised, targeted and timely Alerts on issues of crime, safety and resilience. These Alerts aim to keep local people informed about issues affecting their area in a timely manner. More information is available here.