October's news from Councillor Neil Ross

Here is my latest email newsletter issued today. 

It covers

• Midmar Paddock
• Warrender Baths
• Plans to Pedestrianise George Street
• 101/102 Bus Survey results
• Merchiston Gardens, Mid Gillsland Road & Marchmont Crescent
• Local community events
• Another 5G mast for Whitehouse Loan?
• HMO Consultation
• What I’ve been up to at the Council

Midmar Paddock – outline plans shared

Morningside Community Council has shared outline plans of the proposed development here but no news yet on the public consultation.  Keep an eye on the Friends of Midmar Paddock FB page here.

Warrender Baths – when will it re-open?

Although no date has been announced, speculation is mounting that Warrender Baths will re-open soon as Edinburgh Leisure is recruiting new staff for the pool.  For the latest news, check out Warrender Pool.

Plans to Pedestrianise George Street

The Council has published final designs for the pedestrianisation of George Street, which will be considered at the Council’s Transport Committee meeting on Thursday.  Subject to further approvals, construction is expected to start in 2024.  More information is available here.

101/102 Bus Survey results

The Stand up for our buses campaign has published the results of their survey on the 101/102 bus service Edinburgh to/from Dumfries.  The results will be fed into discussions between local councillors and council managers with Strathclyde Passenger Transport on Thursday 3 November.  The results can be accessed here.

Merchiston Gardens, Mid Gillsland Road & Marchmont Crescent

To facilitate CityFibre ducting, Merchiston Gardens and Mid Gillsland Road will be closed at some point between today and 8 January 2023. I understand CityFibre will notify residents about a week in advance of any restrictions.  Parking and loading/unloading restrictions will also be in place at various times in these streets and on Myreside Road, South Gillsland Road, Gray’s Loan, Spylaw Road, Gillsland Road, Polwarth Terrace and part of Colinton Road. More information is available under reference TEMP/22/188 here.

The northern part of Marchmont Crescent will be closed for a few months to allow Scottish Water to install larger sewer pipes as part of their flood prevention scheme – more details here.

Local Community events coming soon -

The Union Canal Society Flotilla of Lights is at 6pm on Saturday 5 November plus a Cake & Information stall (3.30 to 7.30pm) – more details here.

The Eric Liddell Christmas Craft Fair is on Saturday 26 November (10.30am to 3.30pm) – more details here.

Another 5G mast for Whitehouse Loan?

A planning application has been submitted for another 5G mast (20m high) on Whitehouse Loan, this time opposite the junction with Bruntsfield Crescent.  Plans went in last month for a 16m mast next to the JGHS playing field opposite number 108.  The plans are available to view on the Council’s planning portal under reference number 22/05042/FUL.  The deadline for comments is Friday 18 November.

Do you live near to an HMO student house or flat?

Have you ever had a problem with a student let and struggled to contact the HMO landlord or agent?  You might be surprised to know that the landlord is required to provide all immediate neighbours with his name, or the name of his agent, a contact address, a daytime telephone number and an emergency contact number.  This is one of the conditions of the HMO licence.  Another condition is the provision of an emergency number to the Council.  Because contact details sometimes change and new neighbours may move in, I asked the Council to change these conditions so that landlords would be required to give contact details once a year.  What do you think?  Have your say in the Council’s consultation here

What I’ve been up to recently at the Council

At last Thursday’s meeting of the full Council, I persuaded the Council Leader to write to the Scottish Government to enhance the Capital City supplement, which the Council receives for hosting major national events like Operation Unicorn following the Queen’s death (page 4 of Motions & Amendments).  I also asked questions about possible pedestrian improvements to Bruntsfield Place and Morningside Road and new parking schemes for carers (pages 17 & 44 of Questions)

If you know anyone else who might be interested to read this, please feel free to forward it.  If you have received this via a friend, and would like to receive it direct, please contact me on neil@edinburghlibdems.org and ask to be added to my circulation list.

If you would like my help on a Council matter, please contact me either by email at cllr.neil.ross@edinburgh.gov.uk or by telephone on 07738 116055.

For more regular updates on my work, please like or follow my Facebook page

www.facebook.com/NeilforMorningside

Best wishes

Councillor Neil Ross
Liberal Democrat Councillor for Morningside Ward

Surgeries

Contact me to arrange a meeting at a time and place that suits you.

Published and promoted by Neil Ross (Scottish Liberal Democrats) at 4 Grange Road, Edinburgh EH9 1UH.