Original PDF: NTBCC Engagement Report 2022-06-11
This is our first in-person meeting for over 2 years. Members of the public are very welcome to attend this meeting either in-person or via Zoom – there are two Eventbrite links:
In order to know numbers, we’re asking everyone including community councillors to register. Registration via either link covers both the AGM and the ordinary meeting that will immediately follow it.
CEC has now responded to NTBCC’s submission on the latest plans for George Street, as follows:
New Town and Broughton Community Council
c/o Simon Holledge
By email
31st May 2022
Dear Simon
George Street and First New Town (GNT) Public Realm Proposals
The Council note and welcome the recent comments received from the New Town and Broughton Community Council (NTBCC) regarding the public realm plans for George Street and the First New Town (GNT).
NTBCC has been one of the key stakeholders over the years through the development of the proposals for George Street. The Council recognises that the views and comments raised by NTBCC are critical in shaping final proposals for the area and ensuring that the project is a success in terms of enhancing George Street and the First New Town as a place to live, work and visit. As the Council has stated, collaboration is key to the success of the GNT project and we will continue to work with NTBCC as final project proposals are developed.
The Council’s response to the main items raised by the NTBCC are detailed below.
Equality Impact Assessment
An initial Integrated Impact Assessment (IIA), which allows the Council to meet its legal obligations in relation to equality, socio-economic disadvantage, climate change, sustainability, the environment and human rights for the GNT project, was produced in May 2019 and was updated in March 2020. During this current design stage of the project the IIA will be reviewed once more to reflect current designs but more importantly operational plans for the area which are due to be finalised by autumn this year. Working in partnership with key stakeholders, especially those representing disabled and mobility impaired groups, we will continue to review the project IIA as the delivery of the project moves forward.
Continuous engagement and consultation have taken place on the GNT project from the outset and the Council will continue to adopt a collaborative approach in developing final proposals. Groups including Edinburgh Access Panel have been closely involved and a specific session was recently organised with them relating to the current Stage 3 proposals.
Travel
In line with the Council’s City Mobility Plan, City Centre Transformation Plan (CCT) and Climate Emergency, a key objective of the George Street project is to make it easier for people to walk, wheel and cycle as well as provide better access to public transportation. With regards to people with mobility issues or disabilities, we will remove as much street clutter as possible, improve junctions, introduce seating areas, and significantly widen footpaths. This will all help to enhance the experience for everyone who wants to access and enjoy the street.
Local media as well as national media has recently covered the introduction of Low Emission Zones (LEZ) in major Scottish cities – Edinburgh along with Aberdeen, Dundee and Glasgow.
The following is adapted from an email sent to the New Town & Broughton Community Council (NTBCC) on 2 June stating that final approval by Scottish Ministers for the proposed LEZ in Edinburgh was given on 19 May. The email confirms that the proposal, as agreed at the Council’s 31 March 2022 Transport & Environment Committee, has now been approved by Scottish Ministers and came into force on 31 May 2022 – with enforcement from 1 June 2024.
NTBCC had again raised several concerns with the proposal during the final Council consultation e.g. the limited scope of the LEZ in Edinburgh, its adverse impact on residents living outside the area covered by the LEZ and the lack of effective enforcement plans. However, despite these concerns, shared by many other groups, the proposed scheme was approved at the 31 March Transport & Environment Committee without any changes from the initial proposal.
We are also unclear how this proposal will contribute to reductions in emissions to ensure compliance with the Scottish Government’s climate change objectives, specifically for carbon dioxide (CO2) – as stated below.
The specific detail of the approved Low Emission Zone can be viewed on the Council’s website here .
Actions and decisions are red italic. ‘TT’ means ‘Trams Team’. Names are mostly abbreviated to initials. Continue reading
Adapted from an email sent to several community councils by the Edinburgh Bus Users Group (EBUG) highlighting the recently-introduced Young Persons’ (under 22’s) Free Bus Travel passes. Although the scheme experienced some initial problems, steps have now been taken to make the application process easier and more widely available.
Dear Community Council members
Hopefully applications are now easier with the launch of this website: https://freebus.scot/
AND libraries can now deal with paper applications https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/public-transport/get-replace-nec/1
Let’s get take-up close to 100%.
Secretary, Edinburgh Bus Users Group
Actions and decisions are red italic. ND (‘no dissent’) means that no-one spoke or voted against a decision.
Edinburgh Council has stated that ‘CCs can approve minutes, and take other decisions, remotely’, as so long as they ensure that ‘remote meetings are as accessible to members of the public and (as) well-advertised as possible’. Continue reading