July 2024 News from Councillor Neil Ross
Road Resurfacing summer programme
Preparations are being made for this summer’s programme of road surface treatments, which starts with patch repairs and is then followed by a stone chip surface treatment. The programme includes local roads: Balcarres Street, Hermitage Gardens and the part of Colinton Road between Polwarth Terrace and Tipperlinn Road. I have asked the Council to get the contractor to complete unfinished works from last summer, such as parts of Morningside Drive.
Public Bike Parking
After a constituent told me about the theft of a second bike, I asked the Council what is being done to discourage bike theft and to provide safe places for bike parking in the city. I was reminded of the Council’s city-wide public bike parking project, which has an annual budget of circa £29,000, and encouraged to promote it. If you know any specific locations in the city that might benefit from public bike parking, please contact activetravel@edinburgh.gov.uk and copy me in. I see the Police offer advice on preventing bike theft here and recommend registering your bike on the national cycle database here.
Action on the Pavement opposite Waitrose
At the end of the ‘Spaces for People’ project in Morningside Road, the Council decided to retain the widened footway on the west side, opposite Waitrose supermarket but has done nothing to improve it or make it permanent. Residents have told me that the split level and the dark bollards can be trip hazards and the extended pavement is sometimes mis-used by cyclists. I have asked Council officers about this a few times, most recently last month. I was also glad to see Morningside Community Council’s application for a grant to get the job done. It shouldn’t need repeated requests or extra funds but maybe we’ll see some action soon.
Morningside Park grounds maintenance
In response to concerns from local residents about a lack of upkeep, I asked the Council’s Parks team for an update on Morningside Park. I’m told that recent staffing and access issues have now been overcome and normal grounds maintenance works should resume shortly. The park holds a Green Flag award, which is expected to be re-assessed later this year, so here’s hoping for continued success.
Do you want to clean up your neighbourhood?
The Council is offering graffiti cleaning kits and litter picking kits to residents who would like to clean up their neighbourhood. To obtain a graffiti kit, use the graffiti removal online report here as though you were reporting graffiti. When you reach the ‘Comments’ box, say you would like a graffiti cleaning kit and write your name and contact details. For a litter picking kit, complete the form here or write to Waste@edinburgh.gov.uk or phone 0131 608 1100 and ask for one. Thanks in advance to anyone willing to do this.
How to report Smelly Street Bins
Communal street bins, especially food waste bins, often smell bad in warm weather. Residents often ask me if the Council has a bin cleaning programme. It does not. Instead, to report a smelly bin of any type, contact Waste@edinburgh.gov.uk or phone 0131 608 1100. Give the location and the type of bin. The Council should remove it for cleaning at the depot and replace it with a clean bin.
Help shape the Council’s Budget for next year
The Council is starting to develop its budget proposals for next year and has to find savings from essential services because of repeated Scottish Government cuts to funding. Help councillors to understand your needs and priorities when they make budget decisions for 2025/26 by giving your feedback here. The consultation ends on 28 July.
Marchmont Flood Alleviation project update
Good news - the sewer pipe replacement works on Marchmont Road have been completed and the road re-opened to two-way traffic. The next phase to install larger sewer pipes in Marchmont Crescent begins tomorrow. More information is available here.