March 2024 news from Councillor Neil Ross

Options for the Greenbank/Meadows Quiet Route

The Council has published its report on the results of the Greenbank/Meadows Quiet Route survey for consideration at the next meeting of the Transport Committee on 7 March.  Option 3 for the Braid Estate gained majority support whereas there was no clear preference on the options for Clinton Road/Whitehouse Loan.  Officers have put forward revised proposals that address some of the concerns expressed by residents on the options but it will be up to councillors on the committee to decide the way forward.  The report can be accessed at item 7.3 on the committee agenda here.  A further six-month consultation will follow to gather the views of residents on whatever changes are agreed.

Council Budget set for 2024/25

Having listened to residents, we focused our budget not just on preventing cuts to schools, social care and leisure activities but on investment. Investment in our schools, health, environment and infrastructure.  The Council approved a cross-party budget for 2024/25 supported by Lib Dem, Labour and Conservative councillors.  This achieved -

• School budgets increased by £2m, to be spent by teachers in every primary and secondary school.
• Spending on road and pavement repairs up by £12.5m, exceeding the record £11m added in last year’s Lib Dem budget.
• £1m for planting trees and tree care, extra to support bus services and new investment in energy efficiency.
• Extra money focused on supporting vulnerable families to maximise their income and reduce child poverty.

Full details of the budget proposals are available here.

More buses for Morningside

More frequent daytime services during the week for route numbers 23 , 27 and 36 have been announced by Lothian Buses.  From 24 March services 23 and 27 will run every 15 minutes Monday to Friday and, at peak times, the 36 will run every 20 minutes.  The 36 will also run later evening journeys.  More information is available here.

Local Improvement Projects

Both Morningside and Merchiston Community Councils have been working on local improvement projects.  Morningside CC wants to see improvements to the area outside M&S and Superdrug while Merchiston CC has been focused on the roundabout at Polwarth Gardens/Crescent.  Both projects seek improvements to pedestrian safety and public amenity in line with feedback from public surveys.

The Morningside CC proposals are still being refined.  Their Street Life Survey is available here.

Merchiston CC has recently finalised its proposals and submitted them to the Council.  They are available here.

Plans approved for the Canny Man’s Hotel

The Council has approved plans to expand the Canny Man’s Hotel into the customer car park with a three-story addition to contain two studio flats and 12 ensuite bedrooms.  The planning report can be viewed here at item 4.5.

Braidburn Terrace/Braid Road/Comiston Road

Works are nearing completion on the Braidburn Terrace project following the re-surfacing of the Comiston Road/Greenbank Crescent junction last week.  The plans can be viewed here.