PUBLIC MEETING of MERCHISTON DISTRICTS COMMUNITY COUNCIL (MDCC)
Tuesday 21st Oct 2025. 19.00 – 21:20 at Polwarth Tennis and Bowling Clubhouse
Chaired by Ian Doig, MDCC Chair
Attendees:
MDCC members: Ian Doig (ID) – Chair, Vivien Kitteringham (VK) – Vice-chair (minutes writer) John McKenna (JMcK) – Secretary, Mary Breatnach, Gordon Cameron, Mairianna Clyde (MC), Joan Houston (JH), Roma Menlowe (RM), Bridget Stevens (BS)
Jay Feeney (representative of Bruntsfield Primary School)
Lynsey Houston (Craiglockhart Primary PaCC)
City Councillors: Christopher Cowdy, Kevin McKay (Fountainbridge/Craiglockhart ward) Marie-Clair Munro (Morningside ward)
Police Representatives: PC Allardice, PC Galbraith (Oxgangs Community Policing Team)
Residents (27):
Merchiston Grove Traffic Group: Alison Edelsten, Marley Henderson, Rachel Post, Simon Brassey
Harrison Road and Harrison Gardens residents: Harry Careless, Amy Careless, Carmen Innes, Lesley Robertson, Emma Parker, Mark Smith, Becky Smith, Duncan Wallace, Sue Burns, Lara Isbel, Bill Grieve, M. Holmes, Anne Buist, Margaret Montgomery, Clemes Kupke, Fiona Rowley
Daniel Cairns, Ian Pattison, Brendan McGuckin, Dave Baskill, Ellie Gaston, Amber Lee Smith
Visitor: Nick Stewart, Chair of Craiglockhart Community Council
- Introduction and welcome by Chair.
Apologies for Absence: Frances Hawarden (Treasurer), Helen Zealley, Hilary Swanston, Vanessa Meadu (VM), Klaus Glenk, Nick Brett (Steiner School)
Declarations of Interest None - Police Report by members of the Community Policing Team at Oxgangs Police Station. (This was taken at the beginning of the meeting to allow the police officers to return to duty.)
Crime prevention measures are being taken in connection with Halloween and Bonfire night. Residents are asked to stay alert, and to contact CEC if they see piles of rubbish that could be set alight, to have them removed.
A Darker Nights police initiative aims to prevent crime, e.g. housebreaking, and an e-bike initiative is controlling bikes for legality and confiscating those that are illegal. These initiatives will ramp up following fireworks night.
Cllr Munro asked about the damage caused by e-bikes and quad-bikes and if confiscated bikes are destroyed. How are they pursued?
PC Galbraith: bikes are not destroyed but returned after a fine of over £250 paid and a warning. Police drones and helicopters can be used to trace riders, but police are not allowed to pursue them directly.
JMcK asked about cars being raced on local roads.
PC Galbraith: residents can ask for speed checks, but better are prevention measures by CEC.
To contact Community Policing Team at Oxgangs Police Station and to report any concerns, email: EdinburghCPTSouthWest@scotland.police.uk - Residents’ Issues Forum and 4. Harrison Road Closure (These two points were taken together as the main residents’ issue is local traffic).
Cllr Cowdy updated the meeting about the Harrison Road bridge closures: The bridge over the railway path is expected to be reopened by March 2026 and the canal bridge earlier (though no date given as yet) but with a 7.5ton weight limit. A lively discussion ensued, with contributions from residents of Harrison Road and nearby, who made the point that there was no appetite to return to the previous situation with rat-running, road rage unsuitable HGVs and scraped cars prevalent as Harrison Road had long proved too narrow for the traffic using it, particularly at peak times. This situation led to anxiety among residents and had made houses hard to sell.
Suggestions for solutions included making the road one way and monitoring speeding.
The closure of Harrison Road has also led to problems on Merchiston Grove. A spokesman for the Merchiston Grove Residents’ Group raised the issues of rat-running, speeding, noise from tyres of heavy vehicles on the cobbles and aggression and abuse by drivers.
City Councillors will take these issues to City of Edinburgh Council (CEC) but pointed out that opinions among residents more widely are sharply divided, that many of the suggested solutions have already been considered, that monitoring speeding stretches limited police resources and that all changes need traffic modelling and may have knock-on effects. Even trial road signs can take 18+ months to implement.
ACTION: Ward 9 Councillors Cowdy and McKay agreed to find out: if the 7.5-ton weight limit on the canal bridge is certain, whether a one-way system Harrison Road / Ashley Terrace is feasible and whether anything can be done to reduce numbers of HGVs and SUVs in the area. They will also address the issue of North-South traffic flows in our area with council officers. - Minutes of MDCC Meeting on 16th Sept 2025 (for approval). The minutes were approved.
Matters Arising: Residents’ Issues mentioned a lack of pedestrian (zebra) crossings around Harrison Park, but RM pointed out that the plans for the Fountainbridge/Dundee Street Active Travel Project include crossings on Harrison Road, Harrison Gardens and at the Ashley Terrace canal bridge, plus other improvements for pedestrians. Consultation on this project is open until January 12th 2026 and the link is here and on MDCC’s home page. - Chair’s Report – Ian Doig, MDCC Chair
The report has been circulated to members prior to the meeting and can be found here.
Main points include:
Future meetings: the next meeting will be held in person but on Monday 17th November rather than the normal Tuesday due to the Tennis Clubhouse not being available. The format of future meetings – online or in-person – is yet to be decided. In-person meetings have been very successful in attracting large numbers of residents and in facilitating wider exchange of views
The suggestion at the last meeting of a North-South traffic review was well received by all local councillors. However, given the potential scope of such a review it would be well beyond the limited resources of MDCC to lead it. ID suggests limiting MDCC’s role to consultation, advice, options appraisal and that of a “critical friend” to CEC, with their far more extensive resources, in managing this project.
– CEC’s consultation on the proposed North-south extension of the tramlines ends on 17th November. The link is here and on our website home page.
ACTION: JMcK (MDCC Secretary) agreed to prepare comments to submit on behalf of MDCC.
MC may be able to assist, since JMcK will be away.
– Introduction of Tram-trains on the South Suburban rail line: Following a successful public meeting a petition has been launched to support the reopening of this line to passengers using light trains that can also run on tram tracks. ID pointed out the many advantages he sees in this project including a better cost-benefit ratio than the CEC North-south tram extension, as it would use the existing “heavy railway” tracks. ID represents MDCC on the organising committee.
– Edinburgh Association of Community Councils (EACC): ID thanked RM and VM for their excellent presentation to an EACC online meeting about the Polwarth Junction Project.
– On 11th October ID and JMcK attended an EACC in-person meeting with many other CCs and city councillors at City Chambers, where after presentations by councillors and officers responsible for liaising with community councillors CC representatives were able to express “robust views and frustrations” calling for greater support, respect and attention from CEC, particularly re planning decisions. Criticisms included lack of genuine community engagement and lack of action in response to what were seen as “token consultations.”
CCs requested a dedicated liaison officer and support with liability insurance, registration with the ICO, websites, a corporate email system, training and finance.
ID represents MDCC at EACC and requested that MDCC agrees to his nomination for re-election to the EACC Members Advisory Board. This was proposed by RM, seconded by BS and agreed by MDCC.
- Planning Report – Mairianna Clyde, Planning Lead
The major live application is the installation of 2 artificial sports pitches at George Watsons playing fields on Myreside Road. Concerns voiced refer to parking, drainage, lighting and in particular flooding. Public comments are generally supportive (286) with 50 objections that are being addressed. Flooding is also seen as the major problem by Craiglockhart CC.
There has been an application for a short term let licence for the previous car parts shop on Yeaman Place, now with planning permission for a dwelling. MC is minded to object on behalf of MDCC in order to increase the housing supply.
MDCC has been asked to sign an open letter by Living Rent Campaign to CEC asking CEC to protect the tenants of Edinburgh from homelessness, insecurity and the dangers imposed by rogue landlords, calling upon CEC to carry out their statutory responsibilities and use their existing powers fully to support their constituents and the city’s communities.
It was agreed that MDCC should support the Living Rent Campaign and sign the letter. Proposed by MC, Seconded VK.
ACTION: ID to write to confirm support of MDCC.
- Licensing Report – Bridget Stevens, Licensing Lead
3 live applications:
– Application for a Market Trading Licence at McLarens (Holy Corner) on a monthly basis,
– Biryani Boys restaurant, 159 Dundee St. request extension to opening hours (not alcohol) to 1am Sunday-Thursday and 2 am Friday and Saturday,
– Alcohol Licence for the Townhouse Nail Salon, 66 Morningside Road to serve alcohol during treatments.
BS recommends that MDCC does not object to any of these but monitors them for complaints from residents.
- Polwarth Junction Redesign – Roma Menlowe
The consultation on the redesign proposals has now closed but results are not yet available.
Of 67 responses copied to MDCC, which were all very detailed and thoughtful, 65 were supportive of Option 1, with a pedestrian refuge. Comments included that the design for the North end of Merchiston Avenue is not sufficiently safe, that more greenery was needed, that too little had been done to restrain speeding and deter rat-running, that not enough provision was envisaged for bike parking and that the volume of traffic is unlikely to be reduced.
A meeting with CEC council officers has been arranged and that implementation is expected in the financial year 2026-7. CEC is supportive but needs pushing further.
- North-South Traffic Review – John McKenna and Roma Menlowe
(See also points 2 and 3 above)
Cllr McKay: suggests an MDCC action group to move this forward.
Cllr Cowdy agrees that pressure from residents can achieve change, e.g. several zebra crossings around Harrison Park. In response to a resident’s question about the effect of closing Holyrood Park to traffic Cllr Munro warned that this and other city centre road closures would result in increased diverted traffic in our area.
It was agreed to invite Cllr Jenkinson as Convenor of CEC Transport and Environment Committee, along with relevant CEC officers, to a future meeting of MDCC to discuss this and possible solutions for our area.
ACTION: ID to write to Cllr Jenkinson to invite him to a special MDCC meeting in early 2026
- CEC Trams North- South Extension: Granton to ERI, BioQuarter and beyond – John McKenna
JMcK outlined some of the information and some possible problems associated with the proposed tram extension, which is estimated to cost between £2 billion and £2.9 billion, depending on the route chosen (a difference of almost 100%). Heavier battery trams – effectively a light railway on the streets – would be needed as overhead lines are not possible along the whole route, the North Bridge would be closed and there would be considerable disruption due to roadworks.
Cllr Munro added that the Scottish Government will not finance the project, and that the South Suburban Railway line (see Chair’s Report) could be a better option.
The consultation on the proposals is open until 17th November at https://consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/sfc/tram-north-south/
ACTION: JMcK and MC
- Leaf Clearing Project 2025 – Joan Houston, Helen Zealley – Update and invitation to volunteers
We are now into our 4th year for the Merchiston Leaf Clearing Project.
Over the years we have refined the procedures – administration and procedures for the actual leaf clearing itself:
HZ is responsible for:
- Compiling the information on the Merchiston Leaf Clearing Initiative 2025 for the MDCC Website
- Recording names of Volunteers, past and new, with contact details in line with Data Protection Legislation
- Setting up the rota for manning the Garden Shed for distributing collection bags and tools on weekdays and weekends – Mary Breatnach, Hilary Swanston, JH and HZ
- Liaising with Joan as required
JH is responsible for liaison with the CEC recycling personnel Scot Gorman, (Team Leader), William Gavin and Gary Lawicki for equipment – brushes (small and large), gloves, black bags (2 sizes) etc. to be delivered to the Garden Shed, at Abbotsford Court, for storage and with respect to collection of filled black bags etc.
In Early September, JH had great help from Cllrs Neil Ross, Ben Parker and CEC Recycling Personnel, as the staff who are Team Leaders have changed most years. She is very impressed with the support which has been given by the Team Leaders – Scot Gorman and Liam Bain (previously) over the years.
ACTION: HZ and JH would be happy to let other areas take on-board the Leaf Clearing Initiative in future. Also, invitation to more residents to participate in leaf clearing project, including helping to manage the workload
Potential leaf-clearing volunteers can find information on our website or contact merchistonleafclearing@gmail.com
- Treasurer’s Report – Frances Hawarden (FH), Treasurer
Frances was unfortunately not able to attend. ID reported on her behalf. MDCC still maintain a healthy bank balance but await our annual grant from CEC which is delayed.
ACTION: FH will follow this delay up with CEC Governance Team.
- City Councillors’ Reports (in addition to contributions mentioned above)
Cllr Cowdy: – Cllr Cowdy is still pursuing double yellow lines at Ashley Terrace bridge, as residents have requested, so far with only the assurance that this is on CEC’s to-do list.
– Despite requests from residents in nearby Greenbank it has not been made a firework-free zone.
– Blackhall CC have bought a pop-up police person to reduce speeding in their area and this could be an idea MDCC might emulate.
Cllr Munro: – some improvements have been made to mitigate the parking nightmare at Bruntsfield Primary with bike racks, and planters moved to deter obstructive parking.
– Gangs have been targeting shop owners in Bruntsfield and neighbourhood,
– Bike theft has increased, including from sheds.
– Housebreaking in tenements: thieves enter the stair and kick in doors that are not securely locked. Residents should ensure their doors are always locked with a mortice lock.
- Other Reports and Correspondence – none
- Any Other Business: Cllr McKay drew attention to the current consultation on the Airspace over Scotland (all households should have received a leaflet)
- Meeting ended at 21:20 followed by a Private Session of MDCC members until 21:45
Next Meeting: Monday 17th November – rescheduled from 18th November. (No public meeting in December).
Minute of Private Session of MDCC Members on 21stst October 2025.
After the end of the public meeting, MDCC held a private session to note 2 membership changes.
1. Background – MDCC Office Bearers have been reviewing workload and discussing how to maximise deployment of MDCC’s scarce membership resources. In considering resources available to MDCC, all members are expected to attend meetings as often as possible, and, in addition, are expected to carry a share of workload, including active participation in meetings, participating in MDCC correspondence, and projects.
2. Attendance Issues – Minutes of MDCC meetings show that 2 members – Daniel Cairns and Aala Elwadie – who were appointed in March 2025 have not attended ANY meeting of MDCC whatsoever since they were appointed – seven months ago.
Therefore, both were in breach of CEC’s minimum attendance threshold (see below). Despite both being sent full documentation for every meeting, plus all correspondence sent to members, neither had shown any participation whatsoever in MDCC activities since they were appointed to MDCC in March 2025.
3. CEC Scheme for Community Councils – All CCs in Edinburgh governed by this CEC Scheme. Each CC is operationally autonomous but must operate in accordance with this CEC Scheme.
CEC’s Scheme for CCs is clear that disqualification from CC membership is AUTOMATIC in 2 defined circumstances:
“Para 8.1 Disqualification of membership is automatic under the following circumstances:
8.1.1 Relocation which renders invalid the residency qualification for membership.
8.1.2 Failure to attend any community council meeting, with or without submitting apologies, throughout a period of six months”.
4. Actions – Disqualification under CEC’s Scheme is automatic; not discretionary, nor subject to a MDCC vote.
Chair has therefore notified both that they have been automatically disqualified from membership.
The private session therefore noted with regret that the 2 members had automatically disqualified themselves from membership because of their non-attendance, in accordance with CEC’s Scheme.
Chair will report the 2 automatic disqualifications to CEC Governance Team.
5. Vacancies and Co-options – MDCC will therefore have 2 vacancies within its permitted maximum of 16 members.
MDCC can consider coopting suitable residents as new members. However, this is not something MDCC should rush into because the CC prefers residents who have a wide commitment to MDCC’s objectives and range of activities, in preference to merely “single cause” or “vested interest” people.
6. If the former members wish to attend future MDCC meetings, they are welcome to attend in a personal capacity as residents. However, as they are no longer members of MDCC, they should be deleted from circulation lists for future information circulated to members.
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