'But Time's stern tide, with cold Oblivion's wave
Shall soon dissolve each fair, each fading charm,
E'en Nature's self, so powerful, cannot save
Her own rich gifts from this o'erwhelming harm.'
No. 41 in an occasional photo series celebrating #Spurtleshire #streetnamesigns.
Reader Shaun Hodge has contacted us with a story of bureaucratic confusion and departmental inefficiency. It would be laughable if there weren't a real threat here to pedestrian safety. And, as the author concludes, it raises serious questions about accountability, inefficiency, and how public concerns are handled.
Hodge's admirable persistence is worth chronicling in full. His campaign unfolds below, told in his own words and images. Council officers' names have been obscured by us in line with Spurtle policy.
Peter Williamson, current Chair of the New Town & Broughton Community Council, has provided a short updated piece which may be of interest to many Spurtle readers. We reproduce it below unedited and in full.
The New Town & Broughton Community Council (NTBCC) is the local community representative body established by law.
Welcome to Edinburgh.
#Edinburgh
#hyperlocal
#news
#weather
#joy
Dear Spurtle,
In the Briefly section of Spurtle Issue 345 (November 2024) you note that 'Cllr Caldwell reports imminent works along Leith Walk will include: replacement of damaged paving slabs; a new reinforced concrete foundation at the Annandale St junction; removal of most "rusty-bucket" planters; and removal of superseded cycle-lane paint. At Elm Row, he notes work this autumn will: lay new paving where the muddy desire line now crosses grass; create a bi-directional cycleway and deeper bus stops; install bollards between Elm Row and Montgomery St; reopen Brunswick St for vehicles turning left onto Leith Walk and increase the "pedestrian plaza". Cycle parking may follow. The estimated cost of the Elm Row work is £856k (incl. interest payable over 20 years).'
I wonder if Cllr Caldwell knows why none of this work seems to have taken place?
Do you know of any elected councillor for the City Centre or Leith Walk wards who now actually believe anything the tram team tell them in terms of dates for work?
If the answer is no then that is a pretty shocking state of affairs as far as local democracy and accountability are concerned.
Keith Cowan
Cold but companionable.
#Edinburgh
#hyperlocal
#news
#Calton Hill
#Arthur's Seat
The high life. Photographed at lunchtime today.
#Edinburgh
#hyperlocal
#news
#pigeons
#winter
The Housing (Cladding Remediation) Scotland Act 2024 was passed in May last year and came into force on 6 Jan 2025. It allows Ministers to assess and fix buildings ‘within scope’, and to evacuate buildings if necessary. In some cases, they could use these powers without owners’ and residents’ agreement.