An Update By Coucillor Jim Campbell

Since the publication of the last Trinity Spotlight one topic has dominated my mailbag like no other since my election in May 2017: the proposed Priority Parking Controls in Trinity. Spotlight readers may remember I strongly supported the informal consultation of local residents in Trinity and South Newhaven on these proposal. The consultation has now closed and we await the results. As a local Councillor, I will be attaching very high importance to the views expressed by local residents, and will not support the introduction of Priority Parking without evidence that that was what a clear majority want. This may seem an uncontroversial position. But such views have been described pejoratively as “populist” in recent Council meetings: I don’t think that serves our local democracy well at all. I regret that other City Councillors would think that representing what local people want for the neighbourhoods they live in is a bad thing, just because they don’t agree with it. It is not how Council has approached Resident Parking Controls in the past either: for as long as anyone can remember, such controls have been gradually extended outwards from the City Centre as areas have come to see them as necessary. All Groups in the Council until very recently supported the concept of introducing controls with consent. Not only did this serve local democracy, it also minimised the risk of protracted challenges to Traffic Regulation Orders as individual residents were less inclined to fight restrictions street by street in the knowledge the restrictions had the support of their neighbours. My group has not and will not change our approach – we will be “populist” in a good way even if that makes us unpopular! But it’s not just parking controls where the Council seems to be having a tough time responding to what Edinburgh citizens are asking for. The whole Space for People programme has alienated many. I fear the City Mobility Plan, with the concept of journeys “to, not through” the City Centre, will be another source of growing dissatisfaction. It seems that our transport gurus want to reimagine our centre not as the node through which we can pass to reach other parts, but as a playground for visitors. These plans ignore the vision of previous generations, with all the bridges and mounds they built to bring our City together, and conjure up theoretical ideals like “traffic evaporation” and “LTNs” or “LEZs” and “modal shift”. To be clear, none of these outcomes would be undesirable. The question is the extent to which citizens will retain any choice or face a fait accompli imposed by a knowbest Council. If, for example, local buses are subject to the “to not through” concept (as has been mooted), a trip from Trinity to Morningside won’t be a single direct journey on a 23, but would involve bus changes or detours as yet unknown. The recent closure of Starbank Road will have confirmed locals’ worst fears about all the east west traffic that traverses north Edinburgh. East Trinity Road, Craighall Road and Ferry Road were all overwhelmed at times. Quite what the impact of closing the City Centre to through traffic, with the potential displacement onto orbital routes including the east west roads already at capacity in our area, remains unaddressed. Beyond transport, many report the cleanliness of Edinburgh comparers unfavourably with other major Cities. There has been much comment on poor performance of litter / waste collection services; lack of control of weeds and other overgrowing greenery; the unloved state of our pavements with dog dirt, chewing gum and graffiti all add to the apparent lack of pride. So, perhaps no shortage of day to day service improvement the Council could be focusing on, looking for incremental improvement, if it could overcome its aversion to populism.

Although the City Chambers remains closed, I can still be contacted on 0131 529 4235, or better still, by email: jim.campbell@edinburgh.gov.uk.

Jamie Primrose Contemporary Scottish Artist

Eco Chic at Home By Katherine ellCaptivating Skyscapes By The Acclaimed Painter

Jamie Primrose ‘Luminous skies over Fidra’ 40cm x 40cm, Oil on canvas

The transient nature of light onto water and land continually fascinates and inspires Jamie Primrose to create luminosity and atmosphere in his stunning original artworks. As one of Scotland’s most prominent soughtafter painters, with past sell-out collections to his name, he presents his latest gorgeous solo exhibition of over 50 magical skyscape oil paintings from Friday 5th – Saturday 13th November at The Dundas Street Gallery, which is not to be missed.

‘Evocative Skies’ Exhibition

Firstly, Primrose encapsulates the dreamlike quality of passing, ephemeral clouds and glorious streams of light reflecting onto the sea and iridescent sands, in a gorgeous suite of glistening East Lothian beaches, evoking blissful childhood memories. From Yellowcraig (see pic above), Seacliff, Longniddry, North Berwick and Tyninghame (see pic to the right), including Bass Rock – these uplifting, sweeping cloudscapes draw the viewer in and delightfully depict the ever-changing drama and play of light above sparkling, tranquil shores. Next, continuing with captivating clouds and water closer to his home in Edinburgh, (but still overlooking East Lothian beyond), the highly collectable artist beautifully showcases ethereal skies and the sculptural landscape of Arthur’s Seat. Offering breathtaking vistas from nearby Blackford Hill and the ancient crag’s own hill-top vantage points, the stillness and serenity of its gleaming lochs – Duddingston, Dunsapie and St. Margaret’s (see pic to the right) are also skilfully highlighted with glimpses of the city below.

Jamie Primrose ‘Winter clouds over Tyninghame Beach’ 30cm x 40cm, Oil on linen

Jamie Primrose ‘Evocative Skies’

Friday 5th – Saturday 13th November The Dundas Street Gallery 6a Dundas Street, Edinburgh EH3 6HZ Preview Day By Booked Appointment: Friday 5th November, 11am – 8pm Open For Walk-ins thereafter: Saturday & Sunday, 11am – 5pm Monday – Friday, 11am – 6pm For painting enquiries or further details please contact: Mari Primrose t: 0131 446 9510 m: 07947 243 418 e: mari@jamieprimrose.com View paintings online from 13th Oct at www.jamieprimrose.com

Jamie Primrose ‘Last light over St. Margaret’s Loch, Edinburgh’ 80cm x 80cm, Oil on canvas

Probably best-known for his vibrant, colourful sunset city skylines from Calton Hill in an expressionistic palette, the talented painter also pleasingly revisits these motifs, with a striking series looking towards Fife, East Lothian and over the majestic capital’s architectural silhouette. The iconic Edinburgh Castle Esplanade is Primrose’s final muse on high, as he then winds his way from Castlehill down the Royal Mile – with St. Giles Cathedral and nearby Victoria Street, the Grassmarket and Edinburgh University in an atmospheric range of characterful, magical twilight nocturnes – his wintry midnight blue blanket above enveloping the historic streets beneath. A master at expertly capturing spectacular, impressive skies in his work, this recurring theme and skill ensures his investment oils and exclusive limited edition prints evoke a luminous quality, a soothing ambiance and an uplifting mood for the viewer.

Best-selling Painter

A highly collectable artist with over 40 new solo art collections in Edinburgh and London since 2003, Jamie Primrose has an evergrowing UK and international clientele, his work continually in demand. Brought up and schooled in Edinburgh, he gained a fine art degree at Newcastle University (1990-94), then for a decade travelled the world and worked in London. Since returning to the Scottish capital to become a professional painter, he has achieved huge success and critical acclaim: “Jamie Primrose has an incredible feel for the light of his native Edinburgh and in East Lothian”

The Sunday Times

“Primrose’s paintings exude a heaven-sent sense of calm”

The Herald

“Jamie has had an astonishing degree of success with his atmospheric paintings”

Galleries

“Jamie Primrose’s paintings display an atmospheric, ethereal quality that makes his work so sought-after” Scottish Field “Primrose has an ever-expanding band of collectors snapping up his work” The Herald

Book Your Preview Day Appointment:

(half an hour) Friday 5th November, 11am – 8pm Please email Mari Primrose with your preferred time & numbers: e: mari@jamieprimrose.com quoting ‘Trinity Spotlight’