Merchiston Districts Community Council — Minutes of Public Meeting
Date: 16 September 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), Bridget Stevens
(BS), Roma Menlowe (RM), Gordon Cameron (GC), Jay Feeney (JF, Bruntsfield Primary School Parent
Council), Mary Breatnach
Residents: Margaret Montgomery, Ian Pattison, Christian Couijmans, Laura Cooijmans-Keizer,
Duncan Wallace, Ross Milner, Hannah Cuthbertson, Emma Parker, Alastair Webb (Chair,
Morningside CC), Susannah Collins, Becky Smith, Mark Smith, Lorna Vickers, Irene O’Hara, Anna
Buint, Alex Peden, Jane Leitch, Robert Leitch, Suzanne Burns, Clemens Kupke, Tessa Wingfield.
Councillors: Cllr Neil Ross (Ward 10 Morningside)
Apologies Received: John McKenna (JMK, Secretary), Vanessa Meadu, Frances Hawarden
(Treasurer), Joan Houston, Klaus Glenk, Mairianna Clyde, Hilary Swanston, Helen Zealley, Daniel
Cairns. Apologies also received from Cllr Ben Parker, Cllr Kevin McKay, Cllr David Key.
- Introduction – Chair ID welcomed everyone to the meeting. Pleased to note that 22 residents attended. Apologies noted. There were no declarations of interest.
- Residents’ Issues Forum
The majority of the residents present were from Harrison Road and several sought updates on the bridge repairs now underway – affecting both the former railway bridge and the canal bridge. Cllr Ross explained that his Ward 10 did not include either of the bridges in question (Harrison Road lies in Ward 9 and none of the three councillors for Ward 10 were present) but he offered the latest information available to him, dating from early August.
The former railway bridge, a Grade 3 listed structure, would have to be rebuilt, rather than previous plan to demolish and replace. Reinforced concrete beams were awaited. No similar problems seemed to afflict the canal bridge. Assessments had been carried out; and some repairs would be required, though not nearly as extensive as on the railway bridge. Public footpaths would remain open meantime. Cllr Kevin McKay’s blog offered the latest on the situation. Residents who had been enjoying the traffic-free calm asked what would happen when the road reopened. Would weight restrictions be applied to the canal bridge, as earlier mooted? Traffic volumes and vehicle weights before the closure were very heavy and were causing dismay in the neighbourhood. The number of HGVs seemed to have increased substantially, bringing congestion and pollution problems as well as noise and disruption to residential streets. With double-sided parking, and increasingly wide vehicles moving along relatively narrow roads, congestion issues were sometimes severe. Recent changes to parking zones created additional problems for residents; in addition, there were no zebra crossings anywhere around Harrison Park, which adversely affected pedestrian movements, including school children; and sightlines for pedestrians were poor.
Residents were keen for CEC to take a strategic look at ALL the north-south routes across Shandon and Polwarth because traffic volumes and vehicle speeds were a serious problem.
Cllr Ross encouraged residents to engage with their ward councillors and to build their case by gathering relevant road safety data as evidence of problems. Whilst a traffic modelling exercise some years ago had not come to firm conclusions about the cost/benefit of one-way systems in this area, it would be open to CEC – if persuaded there were road safety issues – to mount a further exercise. - Polwarth Junction: Consultations on remodelling the junction
An updated report had been circulated. RM spoke to it and to the current consultation exercise, encouraging residents to contribute their response by the deadline of 21 September. The CEC proposals offered major improvements for pedestrians and cyclists and should make the intersection safer and more attractive. MDCC had worked hard at local engagement, using a wide range of print materials, social media, TV interview, direct posting through letterboxes and street events. Not all respondents had copied their responses to MDCC so it was difficult to gauge the ‘strike rate’ of our promotions. Many had responded at length, perceptively and appreciatively. MDCC’s 2023 report on the Polwarth corridor had recommended restrictions on HGV traffic through Yeaman Place and Polwarth Crescent, together with measures to reduce the vehicle rat-run between Dalry and Colinton. CEC was not at this stage minded to apply any such restrictions on HGV movements, citing the need for lorries to resupply the pubs along Yeaman Place. The Polwarth ‘corridor’ would need to be included in any locality-wide review of traffic patterns, volumes, composition and speed along north/south routes in the north west of MDCC’s area. - Minutes of previous meeting for approval
The minutes of the previous meeting on 13 June had been circulated and were accepted without further modification. No matters arising. - Police Report
No police officer was available to attend the meeting. Residents’ chief concern was the increase in electric bikes/ scooters on the canal towpath. These moved at speed and often without warning bells or other warning and posed a real danger to pedestrians.
BS suggested that MDCC approach Scottish Canals to ask for the re-erection of speed limit signs, to encourage more moderate behaviour by cyclists.
Action – Bridget Stevens
One resident suggested that, since the speed limit on the Western Approach Road was now 30mph, that road could reasonably be adapted to include a cycle lane, which would appeal to commuting cyclists wanting a fast route. Suggestion noted. - Chair’s Report
ID had circulated a written report to members prior to the meeting and spoke to his report.
He drew attention in particular to CEC’s current consultation on the north/south tram extension
(Granton to BioQuarter and ERI). (see para 7 below).
Discussions on the feasibility of using the south suburban rail line for Tram Trains had also reached an interesting stage and residents should stay tuned for consultations once a business case had been prepared. A campaign launch public meeting is being arranged for 7 th October at City Chambers, to which all MDCC members and a wide range of other stakeholders will be invited. - Planning Report
MC had given apologies for this meeting. The main points discussed in her absence were:
– A formal application for development of all-weather playing fields at Watsons School had been submitted. MDCC would need to consider its position, especially if there were persistent concerns over microplastic contamination and over an increase in coach traffic arising from the greater playability of the all-weather pitches.
Action – Mairianna Clyde, Planning Lead
– The application by the Christian Community for a new church and ancillary buildings at 12 Napier Road had been approved by CEC during August, subject to conditions. Those conditions would be the focus of a meeting to be held between Cllr Ross and nearby residents on 18 September.
– The Chair noted that MDCC had lost sight of the Napier Road application, on which the community council might well have offered comments (MDCC had commented on previous iterations of plans for a church development). That was regrettable. Going forward, it was vital that MDCC seize opportunities to comment on significant local planning applications and that its comments, once approved by members, be recorded on the MDCC website.
Post-meeting note: In order to increase MDCC’s resources available to monitor planning applications, Gordon Cameron helpfully agreed to the Chair’s invitation to assist in reviewing planning applications, in light of pressures on Mairianna Clyde as Planning Lead.
Action – Mairianna Clyde and Gordon Cameron to coordinate on planning applications. - Licensing Report
BS reported that Signature Pubs, who operate McLaren’s at Holy Corner, had obtained from CEC, on a temporary basis, a ‘market operator licence’ – presumably to enable goods to be sold by third parties on their premises. It was not clear at present what kinds of goods were to be sold. BS would monitor the situation.
[Items 8 & 9 on agenda were dealt with earlier in the meeting and reported above] - North/South Trams Extension Proposals – CEC consultation
Information had been given in the Chair’s report, circulated previously.
Action: It was agreed that a task team of MDCC members led by John McKenna as MDCC Secretary, should review CEC’s consultation information and draft comments on behalf of MDCC for submission to CEC. Volunteers invited to assist JMcK. - Leaf Clearing Project 2025
In the absence of both MDCC’s lead members on this item, ID reported that Helen Zealley had been hand-delivering update information to residents about 2025 leaf clearing and filled bags collection arrangements. ID stressed the need to recruit more volunteers to help with this well-appreciated annual exercise. Arrangements were in place and uplifts of filled bags of leaves by CEC would commence soon. Information on MDCC’s website offered information on bag collection and materials for volunteers.
https://merchistoncc.org.uk/leaf-clearing-volunteers-welcome/ - Treasurer’s Report
FH had provided a report showing a modest credit balance of around £1,460; and CEC’s annual grant payment for running expenses of around £1,000 was expected soon. There were no other issues. - CEC Councillor’s Report
The main points from Cllr Ross’ report were:
– On Bruntsfield Place, Scottish Power were taking a very long time to replace the road plates with proper resurfacing; he would keep at them;
– A public meeting on the redevelopment of the Astley Ainslie site would be held at the Eric Liddell centre on 27 September. All were welcome.
– Morningside Community Council at their next meeting would take a presentation from two CEC officers who would explain the Council’s approach to road and pavement repairs and consider suggestions for improved coordination and advance notification to residents
– Litter bins (e.g. at bus stops and in parks) were being removed under a new CEC policy to reduce the number of collection points. This was leading to concerns about an increased accumulation of rubbish at some sites. Cllr Ross had successfully lobbied for the reinstatement of bins in certain locations.
Post- meeting note – The removed litter bin at Polwarth Church bus stop has subsequently been replaced with a new and larger bin.
– In response to a resident query about the formation of ‘dog-free zones’ in public parks, Cllr Ross explained there would be a consultation on park management rules; but since CEC no longer employed park officers there would be hard questions about the enforcement of any new rules that were adopted. - Any Other Business
– ID reported that, to comply with advice from CEC and EACC, MDCC would be required to register with the Information Commissioner Office (ICO) and ensure that MDCC is GDPR compliant. BS said the previous MCC may have registered in the past; however, even if
correct, that previous registration may have lapsed.
Action – John McKenna as Secretary of MDCC, please investigate registration and compliance.
– VK had been undertaking a ‘tune-up’ of MDCC’s website with a consultant, as approved as a previous meeting. ID sought members’ agreement to investigate the scope for further, more significant changes to allow for proper archiving of materials and presentation of information. Authority to investigate further improvements to MDCC website was given.
– BS again raised the issue of introducing an archive section on MDCC website as a reference library of local planning applications, together with MDCC comments submitted to CEC.
Action – BS agreed to assist in introducing an archive facility, in conjunction with VK as Website Manager and MC as Planning Lead. - Next meetings:
- Tuesday 21 October (in-person).
- Tuesday 18 November (probably online, but to be clarified nearer the time)