March 2026 news from Councillor Neil Ross

9 Mar 2026

Council sets its 2026/27 budget

Last month, the Council decided how to spend the tourist tax (details available here). Last week the Council set its 2026/27 budget with substantial sums earmarked for building social housing, providing temporary accommodation and social care, as well as continued extra investment in repairing roads and pavements. All this was achieved with the lowest council tax increase in Scotland at 4%.

In addition, the Liberal Democrat Council Group secured extra funding for our communities with £500k to support the city's Voluntary Sector, £500k for new park lighting and over £500k to improve school playgrounds. What’s more, we also secured

£331,000 more for more chemical-free street weeding operators and equipment.
£400,000 for more Pothole Pro repairs to roads and pavements.
£178,000 to refresh worn out white markings on main roads.
£100k to promote shared heat networks for cleaner heating.
£100k to put more solar panels on council roofs with external funding.
£200k to plant more urban street trees.

Lib Dem Council Budget negotiations also led to the first increase in adoption allowances for adoptive parents since 2017!

Proposals from all political groups can be viewed here.

Harrison Road & Canal Bridges Update

Council engineers have provided the following update on progress with the bridge works.

Harrison Road Canal Bridge

For the Canal Bridge, we have now completed the required investigations and assessment and are progressing with strengthening to facilitate the reopening of this bridge with a 7.5t weight limit. The strengthening works involve installing additional tie bars to the underside of the bridge. Subject to engagement with Scottish Canals, we should have the underside strengthened by the end of March. It’s likely that towpath closures will be required, but we will advise on this further once construction planning is underway.

It’s likely that the Canal Bridge will be complete before the Road Bridge, but due to the impact of congestion along Harrison Gardens/Shandon Place, we have been advised to open both to traffic simultaneously.

Harrison Road Bridge

For Harrison Road Bridge, we are moving forward with key milestones. The new precast concrete beams which form the new superstructure, are currently in the production line, with an estimated delivery around the end of March. The footpath above and below the bridge has been closed in preparation for demolition works in mid-March. Deck reconstruction activities will follow from April until August, when we are aiming to have the bridge reopened to traffic and pedestrians.

Summary of Key Dates:

Closure of footpath above and below Road Bridge – 16th February – August 2026

Delivery of new precast concrete beams – Expected end of March 2026

Canal Bridge underside strengthening works – End of March 2026

Canal Bridge topside works – TBC but will likely have to reopen alongside the Road Bridge.

Project completion date – August 2026.

What are the risks of local flooding?

With climate change, more extreme events are predicted from floods to droughts. The Environmental Agency (SEPA) has issued information with the headline ‘One in eight properties across Scotland at medium risk of flooding’ which is quite a worrying statement. Read the report here.

You can check the flood map to see if you are at risk here.

You can also get advice to help prepare against floods and to sign up for alerts here.

SEPA has launched a consultation to understand local flood risks and support the development of flood risk management planning.

The consultation is part of a two-stage process. A second, more detailed consultation will begin from December 2026, when further information on flood risk, objectives and proposed actions will be published in partnership with local authorities. The final Flood Risk Management Plans are due to be published in December 2027.

The consultation closes on 22 April. Find out more and take part here.

Plans for Scottish Water’s Fairmilehead site

A pre-planning application has been submitted for Scottish Water’s site at Fairmilehead. The plan is to demolish the offices and create a residential-led mixed-use development. More information is available here and at two drop-in events at Fairmilehead Parish Church on 11 and 25 March, 3-7pm.

Where to find out about current roadworks

I often hear the comment “There’s roadworks everywhere!” To find out exactly where there are roadworks and when they might be happening, the Council publishes real-time updates on its Edintravel X account and also a weekly list showing planned roadworks. More information is available here.

Eric Liddell Open Day

The Eric Liddell Community’s Open Day is on Saturday, 7th March, 11am to 2pm. More information is available here.