Merchiston Districts Community Council — Minutes of Public Meeting
Date: 17 November 2025
Chaired by Ian Doig, Chair of Merchiston Districts Community Council (MDCC)
Started: 19:00. Ended: 21.00.
Present: MDCC Members: Ian Doig (ID, Chair), Vivien Kitteringham (VK, Vice-Chair), Mairianna Clyde (MC), Frances Hawarden (Treasurer), Joan Houston (JH), Helen Zealley (HZ), Roma Menlowe (RM, minutes), Gordon Cameron (GC).
Councillors: Cllr Cowdy, Ward 9
Residents: Alison Edelson, Margaret Montgomery, Marley Henderson, Clemens Kupke, Ann Buist, Becky Smith, Mark Smith, Annabelle MacInnes (Bruntsfield Primary School).
Apologies Received: John McKenna (JMK, Secretary), Vanessa Meadu, Klaus Glenk, Hilary Swanston, Bridget Stevens, Mary Breatnach, Linsey Houston, Craiglockhart Primary School. Apologies also received from Cllr Ben Parker, Cllr Kevin McKay, Cllr David Key, Cllr Mandy Watt and Cllr Marie-Claire Munro.
1. Introduction
Chair ID welcomed everyone to the meeting & noted apologies. There were no declarations of interest. He introduced Sgt Coull, community police officer for SW Edinburgh. Item 3 would be taken first.
3. Police Report
Sgt Coull spoke briefly on the following topics:
- Speed gun monitoring on Ashley Terrace, Polwarth Terrace, Gillsland Road. A resident suggested that Merchiston Grove be included in the list of streets to be monitored;
- Offroad bikes and damage to landscape and property;
- The ‘coffee with a cop’ initiative, offering residents an easy way to speak to an officer in confidence – venue and dates will be advertised online on police website;
- The covering of speed cameras where the accident rate had been reduced;
- The persistent problems of drug trafficking and spread of ‘county lines’ drugs suppliers; the abuse of vulnerable drug users by criminal gangs taking over the property of vulnerable people as a base for drugs activities.
Residents were advised to be vigilant about youths on bikes observing properties for possible later break-ins. Photos should be sent to community policing at EdinburghCPTSouthWest@scotland.pnn.police.uk
2. Residents’ Issues Forum
ID invited representatives from Harrison Road and from Merchiston Grove to update the meeting on local traffic issues.
Mark Smith, from Harrison Road Residents Group, made these points:
A WhatsApp group was being formed to keep neighbours updated and to gather evidence and data about traffic. Residents accepted that the road would be reopened after repairs to the bridges were complete, but felt strongly that a return to the status quo ante was unacceptable. Traffic along Harrison Road had been excessive, leading to severe congestion, noise, pollution, damage to residents’ cars at blind bends, and multiple near misses. The volume of heavy traffic (HGVs) before the Harrison Road was closed was intolerable. Residents recognised the need for an area-based solution, since other streets also suffered from north/south rat-running. The status of the earlier consultancy report commissioned by CEC on a one-way system in this area was unclear. The provision of zebra crossings on Ashley Terrace was welcome but had been largely driven by a serious accident involving a pedestrian being seriously injured in crossing the road. The Group did not want to wait for such an eventuality on Harrison Road. The Group would welcome representation on MDCC.
Marley Henderson spoke on behalf of residents on Merchiston Grove, referring to problems of traffic volume, speeding, noise (on cobbles), rat-running and road rage. He had conducted an informal survey over two weeks to get benchmark data on traffic volumes. This would be published on a website which he was constructing. He & neighbours had discussed the issue with ward councillors and with the police; they had made contact with the Community Speed Watch Programme, through which measurements go direct to the police.
ID commended residents on their various initiatives. It was hugely important that residents took the lead in identifying traffic-related issues and, so far as possible, gathering data to support their views. Photographic evidence as well as traffic & speed counts were important (and had been influential in the Polwarth project). MDCC had already invited Cllr Jenkinson, Chair of the Transport & Environment Committee CEC, to attend a future meeting of MDCC at which these issues could be aired). MDCC wanted CEC to initiate an area-wide review of north/south routes – a comprehensive assessment of their use (and abuse). There was little point in a street-by-street approach: this was divisive within communities and only displaced problems to neighbouring streets.
RM suggested that, following the discussion with Cllr Jenkinson, MDCC work up with affected residents an application to the Local Traffic Improvement Programme, proposing a strategic review of north/south routes in the area. The earlier study commissioned by CEC which had looked at the option of a one-way system was now out of date and in any case had not drawn firm conclusions.
Cllr Cowdy confirmed that a weight limit of 7.5T would be applied to the canal bridge on Harrison Road on completion of the repairs to both bridges (canal and rail) and the reopening of the road. He was still awaiting replied to questions relating to Council policy on SUVs and the earlier consultancy study on a one-way system near Boroughmuir School. The Walker Bridge on Yeaman Place had been assessed and was found to be sound and capable of bearing the full load of traffic.
4. Minutes
The minutes of the 21 October meeting were approved. No matters arising.
5. Harrison Road Closure
This had already been dealt with under Item 2.
6. Chair’s Report
ID spoke to his report, which had been circulated to MDCC members. He emphasised the following points:
- The discussion with Cllr Jenkinson should be constructive and respectful. Probably 17th Feb 2026 scheduled MDCC meeting. Securing his attendance at a MDCC meeting was an excellent opportunity to advocate for improvements and to persuade him of residents’ serious concerns and desire to contribute positively to viable solutions.
- ID had submitted a forthright response to the CEC consultation on the north/south trams extension, calling into question the scope of the exercise, the glaring absence of consultation on the principle of the extension, the shocking lack of financial data, and the worrying absence of risk assessment.
- ID confirmed there were now two vacancies within MDCC. He would welcome expressions of interest and nominations, which should be made to him with supporting personal details.
7. Planning Report
MC mentioned the application for a short-term let at Yeaman Place (former car parts shop); the refusal of such a let in relation to the property at 112 Polwarth Gardens; further housing development (including student accommodation and a hotel) on the site to the east of Boroughmuir School; and the opening of the Pianodrom Bruntsfield Community Hub at St Oswald’s Centre. There was no news on the development of the former Dalton scrapyard into student housing.
8. Licensing Report
GC had no applications to report; and no complaints.
9. Polwarth project
RM updated the meeting on the outcomes of the public consultation. A paper had been circulated. There was overwhelming support for Option 1 which would retain a pedestrian refuge at the eastern end of the junction. Other key issues concerned the safety of crossing at the north end of Merchiston Avenue; the need to further manage down vehicle speeds along Polwarth Gardens and Granville Terrace; and rat-running along Polwarth Crescent and Merchiston Avenue – all of which would be discussed further with CEC officers. The latest estimated date for construction and delivery, allowing for the necessary Traffic Orders, a road safety audit and contractor tendering, was the end of 2026/27 financial year.
10. North/south traffic review
This had already been discussed under item 2.
11. Trams extension
This had already been discussed under item 6.
12. Leaf Clearing Project
JH & HZ invited suggestions for a location where volunteers could collect bags. A shop with long opening hours would be ideal. A co-ordinator for this project would be needed soon, since JH & HZ were keen to hand the project on to others, now that they had developed it into a largely volunteer-managed initiative.
13. Treasurer’s Report
MDCC had a current balance of some £2100, having just received its annual CEC grant. Progress had been made with the transition to digital banking. The meeting authorised spending of up to £150 for the printing of leaflets relating to the leaf-clearing project.
14. City Councillors’ Reports
Most of what Cllr Cowdy wished to report had already been discussed under earlier items. He referred to the current consultation on Fountainbridge/ Dundee Street Active Travel, on which MDCC will make a response (action lies with VM & JMK to bring forward a draft response).
15. Other Reports
None.
16. AOB
VK reported on Banzai’s proposals to create a climate-aware Local Place Plan for south-west Edinburgh. This was in its early stages. The geographical coverage of the plan and its priorities were not yet clear. It was agreed that MDCC’s stance should be broadly supportive but without specific commitment.
ID repeated his request for members to come forward as volunteers for minute-writing. This task at present fell to a very few members; the rota should be enlarged. A modest fee could be paid to a competent minute writer external to MDCC, if anyone would like to offer a service.