Extract from email received from Scottish Water.
I am writing to let you know about works on Princes Street in Edinburgh following an issue with a manhole at its junction with Frederick Street.
We are now about to begin our repair, with work expected to start on Monday 16 September 2024 for up to five days.
In the meantime, Princes Street has been reduced to one lane and Frederick Street closed from Princes Street to Rose Street.
Diversions are in place for buses and taxis while tram services are unaffected.
We would like to thank everyone affected for their patience and understanding.
Author: Mike Birch
Supported Bus Services
Over the last year, there has been discussion at the Council’s Transport and Environment Committee about continuing subsidies for supported bus services in and around the City. These are services that are deemed to provide an insufficient commercial return for the bus operator and therefore the Council partially funds the cost of these services.
Within our area, we have the number 13 bus service which is operated by Edinburgh Coachlines and runs six days a week between Craigleith Shopping Centre and Lochend with local stops in Princes Street, Hanover Street, Queen Street Gardens East, Dundas Street, Great King Street, Drummond Place,
London Street, Bellevue, Rodney Street, Broughton Road and McDonald Road.
The Council does not have much information about who is using this service, how frequently people are doing so and why this service is used. We have therefore agreed to publish this post to gather some additional data. If you are a user of the number 13 bus service, even on an infrequent basis or know someone that does, please let us know why and how frequently by completing the contact form.
LEZ – Deputation to City of Edinburgh Council
The New Town and Broughton Community Council has submitted a deputation to today’s meeting of the City of Edinburgh Council to highlight a number of continuing issues with the operation of the new Low Emission Zone. In particular, we are concerned at the lack of adequate monitoring of displaced traffic and atmospheric pollution on residential streets on the periphery of the LEZ boundary. The full deputation can be found here.
NTBCC Objects to City Centre Traffic Regulation Order
The NTBCC has reiterated its concerns about the continued restrictions to buses and taxis using Waverley Bridge resulting in their relocation to other streets in the City Centre. The decision to relocate buses and taxis from Waverley Bridge was taken as part of the Spaces for People measures introduced over four years ago during the pandemic. The Council has published an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order in order to retain these changes. Today is the last date for comments to be submitted to TRO.Consultations@edinburgh.gov.uk.
The principal concerns we have raised in our objection are the adverse impact on disabled and other passengers with mobility issues, the additional congestion along Waterloo Place and the western end of Regent Road caused by the out of town and tour buses now using these streets and the problems for pedestrians and wheelers as a result of so many buses using so few bus stops along with the narrow pavements.
We recognise that any plans for Waverley Bridge do need to provide a safe means for pedestrians (including passengers) to access the station and move from Princes Street to the Old Town. This, we believe, can be achieved without closing the road to all buses and taxis.
NTBCC’s objection is in this PDF.
Industrial Action Suspended
As you will no doubt be aware the industrial action planned to start today affecting waste and cleaning services in Edinburgh has been suspended pending the outcome of a nation-wide vote by union members. All waste collection and cleaning services will therefore continue to run as normal including recycling centres. Further information can be found on the Council’s website.
Industrial action
Adapted from an email received from City of Edinburgh Council.
“You may already be aware that members of Unite and GMB trades unions are planning strike action in Edinburgh from 5am on 14 August until 4.59am on 22 August. If the strike goes ahead, we are expecting this to cause significant disruption to bin collections, street cleansing services, recycling centres and public toilets during this time.
We’ve created dedicated web pages with information and advice for residents, businesses and visitors about the strike, how it will affect people and how to manage waste safely and responsibly during this time.
During the strike we are anticipating that there will be no bin collections or street cleaning services recycling centres will be closed. Our fly-tipping and special uplift services will be suspended. Public toilets will be closed.
Trade waste collections will not be affected as this is not a service the Council provides for businesses.”
Community Grants Funding
Post adapted from email received from City of Edinburgh Council.
Two weeks to apply for this round of Community Grants Funding
The Community Grants Funds across the city have a deadline for applications coming up. Get your applications to communitygrantsfund@edinburgh.gov.uk by 20th May to be in with a chance of securing up to £5000 for your project.
We cannot support core, ongoing costs but can consider applications from not for profit constituted groups for equipment, new activities and more. You can get all the info here.(simply choose the area where the majority benefit of your proposed activity will be).
Projects can take place from 12 months from award, so this gives you time to plan for festival activity, October or Easter breaks or an event you have coming up during this time.
Please email communitygrantsfund@edinburgh.gov.uk if you have any queries.