David Key

EBUG suggestions for 2026 Holyrood election manifestos Elections for Holyrood (7 May 2026) are on the horizon. EBUG has sent a list of key bus-related ‘calls for action’ to every political party with an identifiable manifesto contact.

Calling all politicos on Bluesky...

Still wondering what to get bus users for Christmas?

The perfect present would be your party putting this in its 2026 manifesto.
edinburghbususers.group/ebug-suggest...

(Even if it's 'delayed in the post' till the New Year)

If you know any other community groups fundraising in our local area please tag them here and we will help spread the word!

#bruntsfield #polwarth #merchiston #shandon #greenhill #fountainbridge #viewforth

@edinburghminute.bsky.social @cllrbenparker.bsky.social @davidfkey.bsky.social

#VOIBikes expands: #Merchiston #Grange #Southside

So far: 75000 trips; 200000km

@edinreporter.bsky.social--> bsky.app/profile/edin...

@edi.bike @stephenjenkinson.bsky.social @edtiss.bsky.social @merchistoncc.bsky.social @laidbackbikes.bsky.social @davidfkey.bsky.social @steveamburgess.bsky.social

Picture of the omnium cargobike loaded up, and with Spokes sticker

Another picture of the omnium cargobike loaded up, and with Spokes sticker

Picture of ACE couriers cargobikes collecting boxes of mushrooms for delivery in Edinburgh

Info on spokes grants... Spokes Cargobike support grants for organisations Thanks to generous donations from our members we are pleased to offer grants to local community organisations (and very small businesses) based in Edinburgh/Lothian to assist with the cost of buying a cargo bike. We also received support for this initiative from the Galashan Trust for a limited period of time, which enabled us to increase grant levels – support from other sources would be welcome!

👍 "It's made so many aspects of my work easier or even possible. I really appreciate it!"

😍 We helped #AceCouriers get an #Omnium #cargobike

☝️ See our #cargobike grants to local microbusinesses

@edi.bike @laidbackbikes.bsky.social @davidfkey.bsky.social @fairless.xyz @sw20.info @edfoc.bsky.social

💥UPDATE💥
Developments within the Kingsknowe & Longstone area called 'Kingsknowe Connected'.
@edinburghcouncil.bsky.social have appointed AtkinsRéalis to develop this landscape-led initiative, focused on improving the public spaces around Kingsknowe Court, Kingsknowe Pl, & Longstone St.

David Key - London Marathon 2026 Seven years ago our son, Alexander, was diagnosed with Niemann-Pick Type C disease. This very rare genetic disorder is commonly known as

This week I’ve reached State Pension age.
In celebration of this, I’m running the London Marathon next year for my son, Alexander. He was 15 last week, another huge milestone given his rare disease.
Please donate if you can. Thanks. ❤️

2026tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/david-key

#Football & 🚲 - #HectorBellerin on how to connect them!

--> www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...

@edi.bike @cyclesam.bsky.social @rorykoehler.bsky.social @brionylatter.bsky.social @williambovingdon.substack.com @welshracer.bsky.social @davidfkey.bsky.social @gedboy58.bsky.social @cameroncoull.bsky.social

This map shows demand for secure cycle hangars in Edinburgh, with plenty of bubbles over #Bruntsfield, #Merchiston, #Polwarth & #Shandon. We've long encouraged residents to request cycle hangars and signal demand to @edinburghcouncil.bsky.social - we hope they will soon get the message!

Alexander Dennis bus maker jobs rescued in £4m furlough deal Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL), which has eight sites across the UK including Falkirk and Larbert, announced in June that up to 400 jobs could be axed.

With their limited powers and finance the @snp.org Scottish Government step in to save jobs in Falkirk 👏 news.stv.tv/scotland/ale...

Tram Granton to Bioquarter – initial Spokes thoughts With the consultation underway, we are publishing some initial thoughts from Spokes and welcome any feedback. You may also wish to consider our points in your own consultation response. Basically, Spokes supports the principle of the tram, but we have identified some problems and some missed opportunities on the integration of cycling. We urge a fuller treatment of cycling in the forthcoming stage of more detailed planning, and we urge that complete details on cycling provision are included in the next round of consultation.

Decision criteria In all decisions on the tram project, Spokes considers that the following criteria are crucial.. Traffic reduction. Traffic reduction is a major factor in positive cycling, wheeling, walking and living conditions throughout the city, and a major contributor to desirable outcomes on congestion, public health and climate. Thus decisions, such as in the Bridges corridor, must have traffic reduction as a top objective. Improving cycling conditions. Every opportunity should be taken to improve cycling conditions – for example, if the Council selects the Roseburn route the project should incorporate a new active travel bridge over the mainline railway Not worsening cycling conditions. Our biggest concern from the tram project is dangers from onroad tramlines where the layout neglects proper consideration for cycling safety. This is a major concern in the Bridges and also in the sections at Orchard Brae and from Granton to Crewe Toll. General points relevant to the scheme as a whole, or all areas Bike carriage on the trams – Edinburgh was (and, we think, still is) a pioneer in the UK in catering for, albeit this is fairly common in many European and US tram systems. With the planned tram extensions, including eventually over long distances into the Lothians, it is vital that the policy continues and, in particular, that the design of further tram vehicles continues to enable this.

City Centre to Bioquarter Top issues The section through North and South Bridges is of extreme concern, with no cycle provision, new tramlines and continued through traffic on a road where width is at a premium. The project should include a bus gate (as was planned, though never implemented, as part of the Covid proposals) potentially single track sections and fully segregated cycle provision. & Photo showing... Netherlands single-track tram shopping street section, allowing safe space for walking, wheeling and cycling

Crewe Toll to City Centre, via Roseburn corridor Top issues The Council is to be congratulated on modifying the project north of Roseburn bridge to single track, and with battery running, enabling a 3m+ active travel path (with one pinch point). This follows the instruction to the tram team by councillors at the 1.2.24 Transport Committee, for which we again thank all members and others who contacted councillors at that time. However, south of Roseburn Bridge, to Russell Road, there is a lack of clarity, and indeed contradictions, in the consultation materials – see these clarifications from the tram team, the Roseburn bridge cross section, the path cross section, the artist impression and the map view. Further investigation is essential, with a firm intention to continue the 3m offroad path through this section. The tram project should incorporate a 3m active travel bridge over the mainline railway, thus providing a level offroad path from Leith right through Roseburn to Dalry and Fountainbridge. This bridge is included in the Council’s Mobility Plan, Active Travel Delivery [page 43]. To forget it now, with major earthworks likely for the tram project, would make a mockery of these intentions. Whilst costly, the cost would be lost in the overall tram project. Crewe Toll to City Centre, via Orchard Brae Top issues The onroad tramlines, combined with traffic pressures, including at several junctions and narrow sections, present a major hazard to cyclists, given the absence of segregated provision. Indeed, the current proposals actually remove existing segregation, presenting a situation similar to the first tramline. The Council needs to provide detailed plans of how these dangers will be averted if this route option is chosen. CEC should give consideration to single-tracking on Dean Bridge rather than stating “cross-section prohibits segregated cycle provision”.

#Tram #Granton-#Bioquarter

🙋Early Spokes thoughts
-> www.spokes.org.uk/2025/09/tram...

@edi.bike @edinreporter.bsky.social @edinburghminute.bsky.social @thecockburn.bsky.social @ssc-edinburgh.bsky.social @stephenjenkinson.bsky.social @alastairdalton.bsky.social @transform.scot @edinburghlive.co.uk

A birds-eye view illustration of the redesigned Polwarth junction showing how the area will be transformed from a roundabout to a T-junction. There are two options for the Merchiston ave crossings. Option 1 has a pedestrian refuge Island whole option 2 has a third loading bay and dropped kerb crossing point.

Polwarth Gardens looking east - artist's impression of the upgraded zebra crossing which is wider and located closer to the junction. Pavements are widened and there are planters and the edge of a designated loading bay.

Reminder! You can still review the designs for a new Polwarth junction and share your views by 21 September .

Let the council know if you support the overall changes, which design option you prefer and why, and if you have any other thoughts or concerns.

merchistoncc.org.uk/projects/the...

🥇First Junior #ParkRun completed at Hailes Quarry Park!

83 kids (and many supporting adults) took part in #Edinburgh’s newest park run.

Huge thanks to our volunteers and partners @longstonecc.bsky.social!

Come along: every Sunday at 9:30am.

Sign up here: www.parkrun.org.uk/hailesquarry...

😂

As did you and your children
#hypocrite

I've just come from a parents meeting at Boroughmuir. They have a very sensible mobile policy there and every parent seemed fine with it. As do the children.

1. I hope I don't catch you using your IT inappropriately during meetings/HoC sessions.
2. Whatever happened to "don't don't do it to us, do it with us".
3. I thought it was the Tories who didn't want a nanny state.

Getting ready for the offical Hailes Quarry Junior Parkrun launch next Sunday. We met with all the volunteer marshals, run directors and a small group of young folks for a practice to make sure we’ve got everything covered & ready for the inaugural event. www.parkrun.org.uk/hailesquarry...

Here are the two options for the junction with Merchiston Ave - the Community Council believes Option 1 best meets our primary goal of improved safety. What do you think? Have your say by 21 September!
bsky.app/profile/merc...

cc: @cllrbenparker.bsky.social @davidfkey.bsky.social @spokes.org.uk

Interested in the process for determining electoral boundaries in Scotland?
Have your say here:

consult.gov.scot/elections/el...

Please spread the word and encourage your neighbours to sign up for our newsletter, to get vital updates and hear about opportunities to engage. Every voice matters!

merchistoncc.org.uk/projects/the...

📐🚗🚶‍♀️🚴🏾‍♀️👩🏼‍🦼We have seen draft plans for the new Polwarth junction design, and they look good! We believe these improvements address our community's safety concerns.

🗓️Public consultation starts later in the summer.

🗣️Your voice will be crucial at this stage – we need to show support for these changes!

Political campaigning in general & by-elections in particular are a great way of seeing bits of Edinburgh (& elsewhere) that you wouldn't otherwise.

Tonight, the Rosemount Buildings - what a gem!

I assume that someone knows stuff about them - @threadinburgh.scot or @stevenrobb.bsky.social?

Our name may have changed but we continue to work on our various projects to represent and serve residents in the local area, and we hope that this change will encourage a wide range of people from across our area to get involved in our meetings and activities.

#edinburgh #CommunityCouncil

👋We have (slightly) changed our name to better reflect the wide area our community council covers.

We are now the Merchiston Districts Community council serving over 19,000 people living in Bruntsfield, Church Hill, Fountainbridge, Greenhill, Polwarth, Shandon, Viewforth... and Merchiston! 🏘️🏘️

#SpokesMaps #history

--> www.spokes.org.uk/spokes-maps/...
[needs updated from 2019]

@edi.bike @edinreporter.bsky.social @threadinburgh.scot @secretedinburgh.bsky.social @hcaatedinburgh.bsky.social #maps @edfoc.bsky.social @thecockburn.bsky.social @davidfkey.bsky.social @kennybrown131.bsky.social

picture of extract from 2025 Spokes Edinburgh map

Meadows Festival layout map, with Spokes stall V169 circled

🙋 Get your new 🚲🚶 #SpokesMap at our #MeadowsFestival stall

🙋 Sunday 8 June, 11-5

@edi.bike @edinreporter.bsky.social @turvill.bsky.social @edfoc.bsky.social @sw20.info @bjpaddy.bsky.social @davidfkey.bsky.social @simitakumar.bsky.social @cllrbenparker.bsky.social @drscottarthurmp.bsky.social

☝️ #SpokesComp

@edtiss.bsky.social @edcriticalmass.bsky.social @bikes4refugees.bsky.social @bridgend-farmhouse.bsky.social @carfreeholyrood.bsky.social @jarlathflynn.bsky.social @d4cae.bsky.social @reizkultur.bsky.social @davidfkey.bsky.social @infrasisters.bsky.social @leithfeederride.bsky.social

Small extract from the 2025 Spokes Edinburgh map, including new CCWEL and Roseburn/Dalry routes Spokes Edinburgh Map 2025 The 12th edition of the Spokes Edinburgh Map is here! It shows all known new development that has taken place over the last four years, since our 2021 map, in terms of paths, tram, significant housing developments, and more.

🤩 2025 #Edinburgh #SpokesMap !!

Info--> www.spokes.org.uk/2025/05/spok...

@edi.bike @edinburghminute.bsky.social @edinreporter.bsky.social @chdot.bsky.social @edcriticalmass.bsky.social @bjpaddy.bsky.social @davidfkey.bsky.social @threadinburgh.scot @secretedinburgh.bsky.social @edfoc.bsky.social

👆

#SpokesCount - May traffic count

@stephenjenkinson.bsky.social @chasbooth.bsky.social @ehyslop.bsky.social @kayleighoneill.bsky.social @davidfkey.bsky.social @edinburghbug.bsky.social @drscottarthurmp.bsky.social @ianmurraymp.bsky.social @keithirving.bsky.social @spurtle.bsky.social @sw20.info