October 2026 news from Councillor Neil Ross
Astley Ainslie Place Brief consultation
The Council’s Planning Committee recently approved a draft Place Brief for Astley Ainslie, which offers a vision for the site, prior to carrying out a public consultation. Consultation responses and further assessment will then be used to finalise the Place Brief for adoption.
While the NHS may retain part of the site, a significant part is likely to be sold for development. The site has been formally recognised in City Plan 2030 as having the potential to be re-developed into a residential-led mixed-use neighbourhood, with an indicative capacity of 500 homes.
A drop-in event is to be held from 16.30 to 19.00 on 5 October at Morningside Library. The deadline for feedback is 11 November and the consultation can be found here.
We understand that September’s visitor counts for Astley Ainslie Community Trust (AACT) were well supported, thanks to everyone who took part. AACT’s September newsletter is available here.
Road works at Polwarth Terrace/Gray’s Loan crossroads
The Council’s contractor has started improvement works at the junction of Polwarth Terrace with Ashley Terrace and Grays Loan. The project involves increasing the footway widths at each corner of the junction, renewal of the traffic signal equipment and resurfacing of the footways and carriageway. This work is likely to last for nine weeks from 22 September.
Morningside Road pavement and crossing works dates
Good news! The Council has announced that the long-awaited pavement and crossing works on Morningside Road will begin on 26 October, weather permitting -
Renewal of the raised crossing at Steel’s Place and installation of a new signalised pedestrian crossing – Monday 26 October to Friday 11 December;
Resurfacing of Falcon Road West and Falcon Road, between Falcon Road West and Falcon Avenue, – Sunday 6 December to Wednesday 23 December;
Upgrading of the widened pavement on Morningside Road, opposite Waitrose, and installation of a new signalised pedestrian crossing. (We assume this will include renewing the raised crossing at Falcon Avenue, but we will check.) - Monday 1 February to Wednesday 31 March.
Further details of road closures, diversions, parking changes and access arrangements will come later. Be warned – this will be disruptive but for a good cause.
Road Safety: St Peter’s and Canaan Lane Primary Schools
In response to requests for action on road safety by parents, Neil has been working with the Council’s Transport Convener, Transport officers and St Peter’s and Canaan Lane school communities. Among the measures discussed to address road safety concerns are proposals for widening the pavement on Canaan Lane, a zebra crossing at the north end of Woodburn Terrace, a ‘school street’ arrangement on Canaan Lane and Woodburn Terrace, plus pavement build-outs at the junctions of Braid Avenue with Nile Grove and Cluny Avenue. It was also agreed to look at the potential for a school crossing guide at the Canaan Lane zebra crossing and possible locations for short stay parking away from the schools.
Green investment in Edinburgh
The Council has launched a new investment programme that enables residents and businesses to invest in projects that contribute to a healthier, inclusive and thriving city. The Council will use the money raised to deliver nature-based projects including tree planting and flood prevention through sustainable drainage systems in key parts of the city. These projects can reduce emissions, offer cooler spaces during heatwaves and reduce flooding risk during heavy rainstorms. They will also boost biodiversity and improve access to nature and the benefits these bring. More information is available here.
Publicising road and pavement resurfacing
In April this year, the Council’s Transport and Environment Committee presented a report Neil requested on ‘Communicating road and pavement improvements’. It made commitments to publish information on the Council’s website.
A progress update was expected in September but failed to appear so, at September’s meeting of the full Council, Neil asked the Transport Convener when details of the annual programme of road and pavement resurfacing, along with explanatory information on the Roads Condition index, which is a measure of the overall condition of the city’s roads, will be published on the council’s website?
The answer: It is expected to be available on the council website before the end of 2026. We’ll be looking out for it. Information about road and pavement resurfacing is good news, but the Council is far too shy about it. The full question and answer are available at item 10.11 in the Question and Answer file here. The April report is at item 8.2 here.
Merchiston Leaf Clearing Project help needed
Leaf clearing is well underway once again with volunteers hard at work and an excellent job is being done for the local community in the Merchiston area. This autumn is the sixth year that leaves have been cleared from local roads and pavements. The project has been well co-ordinated by two members of Merchiston Districts Community Council (MDCC), Joan Houston and Helen Zealley, but more help is needed to lead this. If you could offer a hand to co-ordinate this project, please get in touch with MDCC here. More information about the project is available here.
Maths Circles starting at Edinburgh University
Maths Circles are free maths-loving sessions for secondary school pupils. They encourage and develop structured thinking and problem-solving skills, and are aimed at cultivating children’s abilities to articulate ideas and construct rigorous proofs. A new Maths Circle, run by the We Solve Problems charity, is starting at Edinburgh University’s Kings Buildings campus on Saturday 3 October. Find out more about this here. Information about We Solve Problems is available here.
Campaign for the Local Electricity Bill
Power for the People has drafted the Local Electricity Bill and has been campaigning for it to be made law. This would enable smaller renewable energy schemes – especially those owned and run by local community groups – to sell their power directly to local people. It seems like a good idea. More about this is available here.