Merchiston Districts Community Council

Final week to share views on mobile phones in schools with pupils, families and school staff encouraged to take part Final week to share views on mobile phones in schools with pupils, families and school staff encouraged to take part and more. We support the business community in Edinburgh to grow success.

We are in the final week of the cities consultation on mobile phones in schools. Tell us what you think.

www.edinburghchamber.co.uk/final-week-t...

A bridge with boarding over it

Bridge over the old railway on Harrison road is now completely closed (including footpath), took a few of us by surprise today cc @edi.bike!

A map with the route for the February Critical Mass ride marked on it

Here is the planned route for February's ride. Meed at 2pm on Saturday 28th at the compass in Middle Meadow Walk for a 2.10pm start.

I built “Cycle-Scope” - a weekly-updated active-travel roadworks map using Scottish road works data. It features, Quick filters with (cycle hangers, shared paths, signals/crossings) + extra map layers. Have a look: city-scope.co.uk/cycle-scope

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It's tomorrow! All residents welcome to join.

Sunny weather, a church at a canal, the water covered with a thin layer of ice.

Thin layer of ice on the canal in #Edinburgh

We're training with Living Memory Association soon on capturing local people's 'living memories'. A new project this year made possible with a small community grant. Great podcast made from the living memories of Akbal Singh and Jagdish Kaur who ran a well known newsagent's shop in Longstone.

I inhaled traffic fumes to find out where air pollution goes in my body BBC health correspondent James Gallagher gets his blood analysed to understand how air pollution is killing us.

This is why the regular engine idling from drivers at school pick up and drop off should not be happening. You might be keeping warm, but at what cost to all the other children who get the pleasure of breathing it in as they walk to school. Especially bad for young lungs. Please don't do it. 🙏

Is that road due for resurfacing anytime soon? It's possible that pavement widening and other improvements would be designed into routine resurfacing, as per CEC policy.

This is such an important upgrade! Wider (and smoother) pavements make a huge difference for people walking and wheeling to school, work, shopping and also for bus users!

#GilmorePlace

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Disappointed to see ongoing delays to active travel improvements in Edinburgh, including secure on-street cycle storage.

Our residents have already been waiting years for spaces in on-street cycle hangars.

Thanks to @harryjwilliams.bsky.social for highlighting this!

cc: @cllrbenparker.bsky.social

New active travel project delay tracker live. - not sure how maintainable this will be but I will try!

www.city-scope.co.uk/active-travel

@spokes.org.uk @edi.bike

Not all heroes wear capes...

Want to know more about Local Place Plans and how you can positively impact your area? Our first webinar of the year will be on Mon 23 Feb at 3pm! We have two fantastic speakers: Anna Grant from the council, and architect Joanna McClelland. Sign up here: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

Save the date for our next in person public meeting

17 February 7-9pm at Merchiston Tennis & Bowling Club EH11 1NA.

All residents are welcome to join and raise issues about the local area, meet ward councillors, and also find out about ongoing initiatives for road safety, planning and more!

Our Neighborhood in 2040 1st People's Assembly 1-4pm Sat 31 Jan Bruntsfield Have your say on the future of Bruntsfield, Merchiston, Marchmont and Sciennes - free lunch at Pianodrome then a meetup to explore ideas.

Have your say on the future planning of south and southwest central Edinburgh. @banzaiedinburgh.bsky.social want your views to develop a Local Place Plan.

First People's Assembly is Sat 31 Jan, 1-4pm, St Oswald's Centre (pianodrome), 41 Montpelier Pk, Edinburgh EH10 4NB.

A parking attendant on an Edinburgh street, with cars parked on the pavement visible.

Today marks two years since Edinburgh became the first local authority in Scotland to enforce the ban pavement parking.

Guide Dogs Scotland and Living Streets Edinburgh have praised the positive impacts the ban has had for pedestrians.

👀 You can download our full synthesis of resident survey responses (PDF) regarding safety improvements at the Merchiston Ave - Merchiston Place - Rochester Terrace Junction

A mixed-use development is proposed at Fountainbridge, featuring a hotel, student accommodation, co-working spaces, a gym, and a rooftop bar. https://city-scope.co.uk/26/00299/SCR

The consultation survey on smartphones in Edinburgh schools is now open. 📲🏫👧

Parents/carers and pupils are invited to share their views before 2nd March.

A four way junction with people standing at all arms of the junction. One person is partway through crossing as a taxi turns left behind them.

An image of a four-way junction. A parent and a child on a small bicycle wait at the corner as a blue vehicle passes directly in front of them.

A night time image of a vehicle passing through a junction while a person with a dog waits at a stop sign. The road surface is degraded with significant potholes and ridges.

A large heavy goods vehicle waits to pass through a residential four-way junction. People are already in process of crossing at two different arms of the junciton.

More than 100 residents shared views about safety at Merchiston Ave / Rochster Place / Merchiston Cresc junction! We've submitted your concerns to @edinburghcouncil.bsky.social under the Local Traffic Improvement Programme. Proposal goes to committee in April.

What were the key issues? Read on! 🧵

@livingstreetsedi.bsky.social @cllrbenparker.bsky.social @davidfkey.bsky.social @edi.bike @blackfordsaferoutes.co.uk

Key #RoadSafety issues you raised:
🚸 No pedestrian crossings on main school route
🚗 50+ collisions/near-misses reported (vs much lower official figures)
👁️ Poor sightlines from parked cars & junction geometry
🏃 Many avoid crossing here due to safety concerns

Full story below.

A four way junction with people standing at all arms of the junction. One person is partway through crossing as a taxi turns left behind them.

An image of a four-way junction. A parent and a child on a small bicycle wait at the corner as a blue vehicle passes directly in front of them.

A night time image of a vehicle passing through a junction while a person with a dog waits at a stop sign. The road surface is degraded with significant potholes and ridges.

A large heavy goods vehicle waits to pass through a residential four-way junction. People are already in process of crossing at two different arms of the junciton.

More than 100 residents shared views about safety at Merchiston Ave / Rochster Place / Merchiston Cresc junction! We've submitted your concerns to @edinburghcouncil.bsky.social under the Local Traffic Improvement Programme. Proposal goes to committee in April.

What were the key issues? Read on! 🧵

This weekend is RSPB's #biggardenbirdwatch
All you need is one hour. Connect with nature & count the birds you see.
Take part in a garden, a local park, or from a cozy spot by your window.
Sign up now and download a free digital guide.
www.rspb.org.uk/whats-happen...

The final 6 days of this!! Pianodrome Bruntsfield Community Hub www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/pianodrome...

Adult and three children walking along a residential street, with houses in the background.

The school run is the #1 source of school carbon emissions, outweighing heating and electricity, according to a new report from Eco Schools and @keepbritaintidy.bsky.social 💨🌿

Walking and wheeling to school reduces pollution and cuts down on chaos at the school gates - it's a win-win!

Why do people support or oppose bike lanes? Our research sheds light on public opinion Research suggests that more consultation about cycle lanes would bring more support for them.

Why do people support or oppose bike lanes? Research sheds light on public opinion
theconversation.com/why-do-peopl...