Merchiston Community Council — Minutes of Public Meeting (by Zoom)
Date: 18th March 2025
Chaired by Ian Doig, Chair of Merchiston Community Council (MCC)
Present:
MCC Members: Ian Doig (ID, Chair), Vivien Kitteringham (VK, Vice Chair, Zoom Host), Joan Houston (JH), Bridget Stevens (BS), Roma Menlowe (RM), John McKenna (JM), Vanessa Meadu (VM), Frances Hawarden (FH), Raphael Uddin (RU, Minute Taker)
Councillors: Cllr Val Walker (VW, Labour)
Residents: Mary Breatnach, Eleanor Stanley (ES), Blair
Guest Speaker: Ruridgh Ahluwalia-McMeddes (RA), Senior Project Manager – City of Edinburgh Council
- Introduction, Apologies & Declarations of Interest
Apologies had been received from Daniel Cairns, Klaus Glenk, Helen Zealley, Hilary Swanston and Cllr Key.
There were no declarations of interest.
- Dundee Street Fountainbridge Active Travel Project – Ruridgh Ahluwalia-McMeddes
RA, as a CEC staff member, outlined the phases of this project, which has completed internal consultations following design work, and is now seeking views of Tollcross and Merchiston Community Councils before the public consultation due to take place in the Summertime.
The proposed improvements span from Angle Park Terrace, along Dundee Street, finishing at Ponton Street.
RA displayed several maps online and discussed the background context of the project, stating that, due to the many developments on sites across Fountainbridge in recent years, the area requires greater infrastructure improvements to accommodate the increase in people living, working and studying there.
In terms of traffic modelling, the team working on this are incorporating proposed work on Dalry Road (and have been in touch with the Polwarth Roundabout team at CEC) to ensure their calculations are accurate and thorough.
It is hoped that the Dundee St Project complements other active travel projects across Edinburgh, including the recent Roseburn to Union Canal Project.
A pdf of the plans has been circulated to all members if anyone should wish to explore the changes in greater detail; RA highlighted particular issues that the project is seeking to remedy, including:
- An alternative path for cyclists to reroute their journeys, along quieter streets from the canal to the improvements on Dundee St. RA said that there were many issues involving cyclists along the canal, where at points of particularly limited space (such as under the bridges) there can be congestion and conflict between cyclists and pedestrians, and that this could help to address this.
- Making it impossible for vehicles to drive onto the West Approach road without slowing down to make a turn.
- Crossings installed at several locations, including at Grove Street and the bottom of Yeaman Place.
- A CYCLOPS junction at Gardner’s Crescent.
VM spoke to her comments on the proposals on behalf of MCC, which had been circulated to all members before being submitted to the CEC team. The proposed changes are broadly welcomed as this area is in need of safety improvements for those travelling in Fountainbridge.
Other members then had an opportunity to express their views. Thoughts and opinions between members varied regarding the provisions for cyclists and pedestrians, and how these groups are prioritised. Questions asked by MCC members include:
VM inquired about whether greenery can be integrated into the project as the area is currently devoid of much plant life. Street trees are difficult to fit in, but some may be possible around Fowler Terrace, and the team are also looking to fit in rain gardens into the design, to assist with drainage and bring nature into the area.
FH asked about improvements to pavements, RA said that they will coordinate with teams involved in resurfacing, and look to improve the quality of footways and carriageways. In some places the pavement will be widened and in other cases it may be shortened but overall, they would try to ensure that the space for all forms of travel would be sufficient.
RM asked about linking cycling routes from Fountainbridge up through Yeaman Place towards Bruntsfield via Merchiston. RA outlined possible changes that could be made but explained that these could cause pushback from residents, and that at the moment this was outwith their project boundaries. However, it is hoped that the crossing at Yeaman Place will discourage drivers using that route as a “rat-run”.
There are several proposed bypass bus stops, where the shelter is placed on an island with the cycle path passing behind it. JM raised concerns about this, stating that similar designs in Leith Walk have proved difficult to navigate for some. RA said that the islands should have greater space because there are no trams to consider in these plans. JM also questioned whether alternative routes would alleviate or aggravate conflict between cyclists and pedestrians, though RA felt that in several similar projects previously, such measures had made a positive difference.
RU asked about the delivery timeline – the team look to have the public consultation in the summer, with detailed designs to be formulated in 2026 and work to hopefully start on the site in 2027.
ES lives on West Bryson Road, where the alternative cycling route is proposed, and asked about whether they had considered adding infrastructure such as a pedestrian crossing to that area if there is to be an increased use of the road by cyclists. This had not been looked at previously and RA was happy to take on this feedback and either incorporate it in before the consultation or to possibly keep it in mind for after that point.
RA said that any further comments would be welcomed, ID thanked him for his time.
- Residents’ Issues Forum
ID had invited Leena Kumar of Bellbotom Eatery to log in to discuss recent break-ins that have affected Bell Bottom and other local businesses around the Polwarth roundabout, but, due to last minute pressure of business, she was unable to attend.
There were no other residents’ issues raised.
4. Minutes of Public Meeting of 18th February 2025; Matters Arising
The minutes of the previous meeting were approved, with no matters arising.
5. Chair’s Report
ID spoke to his report, which covered issues including:
- Community Council Elections 2025
- ID noted that MCC received 16 nominations to form membership of the successor “New MCC”, meeting the maximum number of members places exactly. It is the highest number of nominations received of all the 47 CCs across Edinburgh.
- ID had recently spoken to Cllr Ben Parker, who is the returning officer for MCC. Cllr Parker will call an in-person inaugural meeting to re-constitute the successor MCC on Tuesday 15th April at the Merchiston Tennis and Bowling Club.
- ID commented that some members who had considered stepping back from their elected roles had been encouraged to apply when it appeared that MCC would not be quorate and could not continue if it did not receive sufficient nominations. The 16 applications received and overall support for MCC was greatly appreciated and ensured that MCC will be re-constituted for the next term, which will commence on 28th March 2025.
- Associate membership (mainly senior pupils) from local schools has had mixed levels of participation in the past. However, in the current election round, there is the additional possibility to invite Local Interest Group Nominations, including senior representatives from local schools, who would each have full voting rights as members of MCC, and could therefore strengthen the breadth of community engagement.
Bruntsfield Primary School Parents’ Council and Edinburgh Steiner School have each submitted a Local Interest Group application, and both been confirmed as valid by CEC. It is hoped these 2 Local Interest Group applications for membership of the successor MCC will be confirmed at the inaugural meeting.
- A CEC induction session is being organised for Saturday 26th April at City Chambers, for 2 members per community council to attend as the new CC term commences; however, EACC has requested further events to increase the number of CC members who can be involved.
Since this was the final meeting of the CC term, RM wished to express the appreciation of all members for ID as Chair and other office bearers for their care, patience and hard work over the years.
- Crime and Policing
- ID discussed the recent break-ins into local businesses. He had written to the three businesses in Polwarth that were affected and also raised these issues at the SW Community Policing Forum meeting, who said that the police forensic team is making progress to find those responsible.
- ID had raised speeding complaints again at Police Forum meeting the previous evening. Police community team are receptive to complaints about speeding, but need specific locations mentioned to enable police to identify speeding “hot spots”.
- Community Grant Funds
– Applications are now invited for applications for community grants for 2025-26 CEC financial year. MCC’s area spans two funds (South West and Morningside).
Weblink: https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/community-planning/community-grants-fund
6. Planning and Licencing Report
MCC had discussed the playing fields at George Watson’s College at the previous meeting, however the proposed playing fields development turns out to be just outside the boundaries of MCC and is in Craiglockhart CC area.
ID had discussed with the school several of the issues raised previously in MCC, and received reassurances that the concerns around runoff from the astroturf ending up in the sewers will be avoided by storing and filtering the rainwater from the pitches onsite, rather than discharging into the public sewers system.
VW noted that she had heard concerns from residents about the pitches, as the prospect of greater income generation from these playing fields may result in an increase of traffic.
MCC’s planning lead, Mairianna, was unexpectedly absent, and so ID asked members if they had anything additional to report on planning.
BS said that she had received licencing notifications for two shops (Sainsbury’s Dundee St and Margiotta’s Ashley Terrace) applying for licences as they are becoming shop/cafés and had heard that they received planning permission, but noted that MCC had not been made aware of these by MC.
ID had previously stated that he hoped that in the new community council term a planning subgroup of several MCC members could be formed to spread planning workload and to ensure situations such as this are avoided.
BS stressed the need to ensure that all comments made in the name of MCC are not just by individuals, but involve consultation of members to ensure the comments are true representations of the views of MCC.
RM asked for confirmation that no response has been made yet regarding 8A Napier Road, ID said he suspects not, but is unsure, having not heard back from MC.
RU asked about the MCC noticeboard outside Margiotta’s on Ashley Terrace, and whether MCC knows if it will stay once the proposed outdoor seating is added. VK said that the noticeboard was damaged in the recent storm and is currently down. It was originally created because Margiotta did not want to have the responsibility of maintaining a noticeboard, and MCC were partly responsible for funding this noticeboard outside the premises. VK hopes the noticeboard can be kept in same location, especially since outdoor seating will attract more attention, and she is looking to ask Margiotta if they will help fund a replacement board.
7. Engagement Report – Raphael Uddin
RU gave an abbreviated version of his report (circulated afterwards to all members), about the need to continue to engage with the community following the “profile-raising” activities carried out successfully during the elections. He proposed an online community information event in addition to any induction for CCs by CEC and EACC, that would allow new members and local residents to find out more about the community council and ways that they can get involved.
MCC members are to decide upon a date for this to be held in about a month’s time. He also suggested Spring Cleaning as a possible expansion to the Leaf Clearing Project in Autumn, with many other community councils taking part in Keep Scotland Beautiful’s annual nationwide litter pick.
8. Polwarth Project – Roma Menlowe
RM said that the release of designs is likely to be a few weeks away, at which point this will be circulated to subscribers to the Polwarth Project Mailing List. The team have a landscape architect lined up to help translate the designs once they’re ready. RM also reported that a Pasta Evangelists business is coming to the Polwarth Roundabout (where the South China Inn was previously). It will be a “ghost kitchen” solely for takeaways/deliveries. It is positive news that a vacant space is being put to use, however RM noted that a business so heavily reliant on various modes of transport for delivery will likely increase traffic problems in the roundabout area.
9. Treasurer’s Report and Local History Project – Frances Hawarden
FH said that due to the CC elections, everything has been put on hold with regards to the Local History event. In the meantime, FH is working on the text for the website’s history section.
FH is ensuring that MCC’s account will be audited in time for AGM of MCC. ID said that the date of the AGM is to be decided once the new CC term begins. AGM is normally in June each year.
10. City Councillors’ Reports
VW discussed the Harrison Road Bridge closure, saying that following inspections, three serious fissures have been found in the steel, meaning that it will remain closed for some time. The canal bridge has been checked and is not as serious, although at some point they may need to carry out further work and put a weight restriction in place for this bridge.
VW explained that Scottish Water have had to do emergency work around Shandon, which, combined with the bridge closures, has caused much congestion. The work on the bridges may mean that works that are not emergencies may have to be put on hold to avoid further traffic issues. ID reported that CEC road closure posters in the area state that Harrison Road closures may be ongoing until 31st October.
VW has also recently discussed widening the towpath and resurfacing with Scottish Canals, and alerted MCC members to a consultation on rules around parks, green spaces and beaches. She has had correspondence about this particularly relating to Harrison Park, though views vary widely, so MCC members are encouraged to look at this.
11. Other Reports & Correspondence
VK has talked to Bruntsfield Pharmacy about the Blister Pack Recycling box – they are now interested in hosting it but would like some financial contribution towards it. The Eric Liddell Centre may want to help with this but as VK reported at the previous meeting, Boots are now facilitating recycling and therefore the recycling box would still be helpful, but it is not as essential as it once was.
Several MCC members have signed up to attend the TEDx Fountainbridge event: Voices of Change, at Boroughmuir High School, on Friday 21st March.
ID reported that he recently attended an online meeting with Craiglockhart Primary School Parents, where road safety concerns were discussed and signalised crossings on Ashley Terrace by CEC are being sought.
ID closed the meeting, and reminded members that the next meeting would be the inaugural meeting for new MCC term, to be held in-person at the Tennis and Bowling Club on the 15th of April.
12. Future Meetings:
2025 – 20th May, 17th June, 16th Sept, 21st Oct, 18th Nov