We have received the attached newsletter from CCG(Scotland) which is the contractor undertaking the redevelopment of the Powderhall Bowling Greens site. This includes the latest information about the status of St Mark’s Path which has been closed following a Council inspection of the bridge over the Water of Leith. We are continuing to press the Council to provide further information about the plans for the bridge.
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St Mark’s Path Bridge – Immediate Closure
We have received a notification today of the immediate closure of the bridge over the Water of Leith used by the St Mark’s Path between St Mark’s Park and Powderhall. This closure is due to issues found during a recent inspection. The following is an extract from that notification.
Dear Stakeholder,
I am writing to advise that we have had to close the above bridge with
immediate effect in the interests of public safety. We received a report
following an inspection of the above bridge (along St Mark’s Path
between St Mark’s Park and Powderhall in Broughton) highlighting
issues with the bridge, which has resulted in it being condemned. We
have temporarily placed barriers and signs at the entrance and exit to
the bridge to advise of the closure.
We are currently reviewing the details of the report to understand
whether it is viable to repair the bridge. I am aware that the closure
of this popular route will cause disruption to pedestrian and cycle
access and that you may receive enquiries about it.
We have requested further information about the nature of the problems that have been found, the timescale for a decision on the possible repair and details of the diversion route. Any further information will be shared on this website. In the meantime, please use the Contact form if you have any questions or concerns.
NTBCC Submits Comments about Meadows to George Street Traffic Regulation Order
Earlier in the year, the Scottish Government’s Planning and Environmental Appeals Division advised us that a Reporter had been appointed to consider the objections (including ours) to the proposed traffic regulation order for the Council’s Meadows to George Street project. They also advised us that the Council had provided a Statement of Case in further support of their proposals. We have reviewed this document against our original objection and have now submitted some further comments.
These comments highlight continued concerns about the adverse impact on residents and businesses in our area of the project including the planned traffic restrictions on The Mound, failure to increase pavement widths, loss of disabled parking and further installation of floating bus stops as well as a lack of documentation used to justify the project.
The Reporter has announced that a public hearing of the matters raised by all the objections will be held between 17 and 24 June. NTBCC will be represented at this hearing.
If you have any comments or questions about our objection and additional comments, please let us know using the Contact form on our website.
Powderhall Development Newsletter
The NTBCC has been forwarded a copy of the latest newsletter regarding the Powderhall Development project which includes information about the arrangements for access to St Mark’s Path.
A copy of that newsletter is attached for your information. If you have any questions, please contact us.
City of Edinburgh Council Consults on Taxi Fares
The Council has recently commenced a consultation looking at taxi fares in Edinburgh. The closing date for comments is 20 February 2026. You can access this consultation on the Council’s website.
They have also written to Community Councils and other stakeholder groups looking for our input. Attached below is a copy of the letter we have received. If you have any views on this topic that you wish to share with NTBCC, please use the contact form on this website
NTBCC Submits Applications to Local Traffic Improvement Programme
The New Town and Broughton Community Council has submitted six applications for projects to be included in the Council’s Local Traffic Improvement Programme. This scheme was established by the Council to allow community groups to identify small improvement projects that would address local travel issues. The applications are primarily concerned with improving pedestrian safety but also seek repairs to road surfaces and better road signage.
Improved Crossings in Gayfield Square
Copies of all the applications are given below. If there are small projects which would make a difference in your area, do let us know and we will add them to the list for next year.
LTIP Application Form (Carlton Terrace Brae)
LTIP Application Form (Gayfield Square)
LTIP Application Form (Princes Street)
LTIP Application Form (Bellevue Crescent)
LTIP Application Form (New Town Junctions)
LTIP Application Form (Annandale Street)
NTBCC joins Living Streets and Edinburgh Access Panel in objecting to changes to Rose Street
The New Town and Broughton Community Council has joined Living Streets Edinburgh Group and the Edinburgh Access Panel in issuing a statement regarding the introduction of two-way cycling along Rose Street.
Earlier in the year, all three groups submitted objections to the Council’s plans to implement an exemption to allow contraflow cycling along Rose Street which is a one-way street and largely pedestrianised. The objections were focussed on pedestrian safety and the unsuitability of Rose Street as a cycling route in the city centre. We have reiterated these concerns in our joint statement and highlighted inconsistencies in the report that will be presented to the Traffic Regulation Orders Sub-Committee at their meeting next Tuesday. The full text of our statement which has been sent to all City of Edinburgh Councillors can be found below:
Joint Statement on One Way Streets Exemptions for Cyclists (Final)
As we note in our statement, Rose Street is the nearest we have to a pedestrianised area in Edinburgh with very limited vehicular access. It is identified as a Primary Place location and is one of the busiest pedestrian areas of the city centre. Increasing usage by cyclists of this already very congested shared space will increase the risks to pedestrians, especially those with impaired vision or mobility.
The cycling exemptions project states that its goal is that one-way streets will become two-way for cyclists where it is safe to do so (our emphasis). We do not have a problem with this overall goal but we strongly believe that it is not safe to do so on Rose Street.
If you have any comments on the proposed changes to Rose Street, please let us know.