Queensferry & District Community Council

QDCC’s monthly meetings are held on the evening of the fourth Monday of every month except December; meetings are open to the public and are currently conducted using MS Teams video conferencing or occasional local venues. Anyone wishing to join the meeting or to raise any points should email us through our website: www.queensferrycommunitycouncil.co.uk or scan the QR code. Further details on our current work can be read there also, in our monthly newsletters.

Planning

Four major housing developments are in construction in Queensferry, details of those and other planning developments are available in our monthly newsletters on our website. The Builyeon Rd development will be built to accommodate retail units, a care home and a new primary school.

Transport

Plans for Phase 2 of the High St refurbishment are being developed further whilst the additional funding required is being sought. Plans for the Hawes Promenade (Phase 3) will be put out to public consultation.

There are 34 cruise ships scheduled for Queensferry in 2023, commencing 27th April. This year a new coach management system will be employed, now fully freeing the promenade car park for public use from 10:30am. This has been a longstanding issue for the town which detracts from the positives visitors can bring to the local economy. After 10:30am coaches will arrive and stack on Bankhead Rd up until 1pm, Lothian bus service will be maintained as normal, other traffic will be diverted 10:30am-1pm only.

Education & Recreation

The public consultation over the High School provision for Kirkliston pupils closed on 16th Jan ‘23. A Kirkliston High, a QHS extension or a new West Edinburgh High are the options being considered at time of print.

Open All Hours and the other youth clubs are being well attended and of great value. OAH runs 6-8pm Fridays at Queensferry High School for s1-s6.

Environment

Funding has now been secured through the Almond Community Grants Fund for repairs to the Guardian of The Bridges statue on Newhalls Rd.

Health & Wellbeing

A directory of support services for all ages and needs can be viewed on the ‘Links’ page of QDCC’s website. The ‘Ukrainians in Queensferry’ private Facebook group helps connect those who need. Please check out our monthly newsletters on our website for much more local information.

Community Groups

There are many voluntary organisations in Queensferry, making things happen that otherwise would not – elderly care, planting, fairs & events, litter picks, young people, community council, environmental, befriending, supporting…to name but a few. All require various skills to bring or learn ’on the job’ and all openly welcome anyone wishing to join in whatever capacity. Please contact QDCC if you would like help seeking a suitable and mutually beneficial local group to join.

Forth Bridges Trail Launch

A new visitor trail highlighting Scotland’s iconic Forth Bridges and the distinctive historic communities of Queensferry and North Queensferry was launched in November 2022. The Forth Bridges Trail, a five-mile circular route brings together 16 points of interest in Queensferry and North Queensferry and along the Forth Road Bridge, offers historical facts, local tales and folklore, and panoramic views of the three crossings and the Firth of Forth.

Developed by the Forth Bridges Tourism Group, the Trail has been designed to encourage visitors to explore the area around the bridges further, on both sides of the Forth, and support the area’s year-round tourism businesses. Supporting Scotland’s ambitions to be a world-leading responsible destination, the trail is accessible by foot, bike, and public transport, including train stations at North Queensferry and Dalmeny.

Visitor signs marking points of interest along the trail have been designed to reflect the famous red steelwork of the original Forth Bridge, awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 2015. The panels feature illustrated maps, images and stories on the history of the Bridges, the Firth of Forth, and the local communities of Queensferry and North Queensferry. Collaboration with local history and heritage groups and Community Councils was key in developing the material for the signs and each panel has a QR code linking to further information on the Forth Bridges website. Thanks also go to residents and businesses for their assistance in some of the photography on the website.

In Queensferry, you can find the new or refurbished signs at Dalmeny Station, Hawes, Seals Craig, High Street, Bellstane, The Harbour, The Binks and Port Edgar. It is hoped to add further locations later in 2023.

To support the launch of the Forth Bridges Trail, the Forth Bridges website has been redeveloped by Transport Scotland with new pages focussed on helping plan and enjoy a visit to the area. This includes the best places to view the Bridges, opportunities for cycling and walking across the Forth Road Bridge, and recommendations of things to do in North and South Queensferry and the wider area. A new visitor video has also been created and there is dedicated activity on the Forth Bridges social media channels. Further details on the Forth Bridges and the new Trail can be found at www.theforthbridges.org.

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