An Update From Councillor Max Mitchell

from The Stockbridge Spotlight Issue 112 February/March 2023 Issue

SIMPLE WELLBEING STRATEGIES

Deanhaugh Street & Leslie Place Junction

Improvements to the junction of Leslie Place and Deanhaugh Street with Haugh Street have been scheduled for several years. These include dropped kerbs and crossing/signal upgrades, plus a raised crossing installed at Haugh Street. Resourcing pressures and, unfortunately, politics have caused delays. However, positive steps and some changes have been achieved in this time.

Residents from Veitch’s Square raised concerns about a safe pedestrian route onto the main road. The pend, next to Hector’s, with its broken setts is not adopted by the Council so I pursued an adaptation of the existing project which wouldn’t cause further delay. Now as part of the design, the narrow section of footway on Haugh Street will also be extended by around half a metre to support pedestrian movements including those using a mobility aid.

I will keep pushing for this scheme to be delivered. Seemingly small changes, like a dropped kerb or a footway extension, can make a big difference for residents with a mobility aid, a visual impairment or a buggy.

The Blue Bridge, Water of Leith

Once again, the route along the Water of Leith between the galleries and Stockbridge has been cut off. The blue bridge at the bottom of Bell’s Mills has been closed as the decking has completely collapsed making it entirely unsafe to pass. Residents have been, and continue, getting in touch with me about this.

Whilst the landslip at Dean Path and the wooden walkway by Britannia Hotel were outwith the Council’s control due to the ownership, the blue bridge is owned by the Council. At the time of writing, the Council is awaiting quotes for the repair. I know this route is important, both for leisure and active travel, and I’m glad the wheels are in motion to repair the bridge.

Spaces for People aka ‘Travelling Safely’

Residents may be aware that in September 2022, the Council agreed to create an ‘Experimental Traffic Regulation Order’ to legally allow an extension of timescales for the Spaces for People schemes installed during the pandemic. This means they’ll be in place for an extra 18 months.

I am conscious that specific sections are still causing issues whilst others are now felt to be working better. There is a consultation (yes, another one!) on retaining schemes as they are now. If you would like to comment, please visit www.edinburgh.gov.uk/travellingsafely.

Please don’t hesitate to contact Inverleith Ward councillor Max Mitchell by email, max.mitchell@edinburgh.gov.uk, or by phone, 0131 529 4409, with any local issues or questions.

Follow Max on Facebook at max4inverleith and Twitter with @maxmitchell91.