Mayfield Road extension of 20mph

The church dominates the junction

I note there is a proposal to extend the 20mph zone from Ratcliffe Terrace south into Mayfield Road by 42 metres.  The reason given is to enable reduced signage at the Mayfield Road, East/West Mayfield and Ratcliffe Terrace junctions. 

Comments can be made during the consultation period up to 19th June.

• The consultation page (Traffic Regulation order TRO/12/08A)
• The map
• The reasons
• The parent order which this proposal amends

James Lynch - baker of this parish

James Lynch (Pic: Gareth Easton)

Here is more information about the post earlier this week which drew attention to awards to the Edinburgh Bakehouse in Newington Road. This is taken from Martin Hannan's column in the Evening News.

"Step forward James Lynch, baker of this parish, and the recipient of the national silver award and regional silver award at the Scottish Baker of the Year 2012 Awards, an astonishing achievement given he has only been in business for himself for ten months. I happen to know that 32-year-old James, originally from Craigmillar, hasn’t always had it easy in life, but with assistance at the start from the likes of that kenspeckle local businessman Edgar Ramsay, he has made a success of the Edinburgh Bakehouse in Newington.  James runs the business alongside his uncle John and has been receiving compliments from many customers who travel from all across the Lothians not just to enjoy his award-winning rolls and bread, but also his delicious savoury pies and sweet cakes.
James said: “Considering it’s still our first year of business, it really is a dream to get these awards and tells us we are doing the right thing for our customers.”

Sick Kids to stay put?

There is a 'complex game of chess' under way, and it is not clear if the endgame will result in the Sick Kids staying in Sciennes - or eventually moving to Little France.  

What is clear is that the move from Sciennes to Little France has been delayed for almost five years (it was originally supposed to be opened in early 2013,  and the current earliest date by which it could be built appears to be 2017).  NHS Lothian is now considering the option of keeping the children's hospital in Sciennes.

More details

• BBC report of First Minister's Questions
• Evening News
• Report from NHS Lothian meeting 2.5.12

Have you seen Laura?

Police want to trace Laura Dobbie who is a 30 year old resident in the city's High Street who has been missing since she was last seen leaving her home at 10:00am on Tuesday (22nd).

It is thought she may have been making her way to the Cameron Toll Centre.  Laura has learning difficulties.  Details here in the Police press release.

Local route for Olympic torch

With the Olympic torch on its way round Britain, above is the local route on Thursday 14th June.  It sets off from Lothian Road at 7:00am.

More information from the London Olympic website here and details of the full two days in Edinburgh, including the Evening Celebration at the Usher Hall on 13th can be found here.  You can see the previous post on this blog here with more details of the route.

Newington Road bakery wins prizes

The Edinburgh Bakehouse has been on the receiving end of two awards for rolls.

James Lynch won a silver regional award and a silver national award.  See here for more information of last week's award.

City wide water burst update

Isolated problems have continued in the ward from the water bursts earlier in the week.

I understand a leak was reported in the East Crosscauseway area yesterday morning and there were a few minor airlocks in the Prestonfield and Priestfield areas.

It should be all sorted locally by now, though there is still some work going on at the North Bridge. I understand the problem was a faulty valve causing a build up of pressure.

Olympic rowing hopeful

Polly Swann, left

Polly Swann of Edinburgh's Blackford area is a member of the British rowing squad competing for selection for the Olympics.

Polly is in 3rd year studying medicine at Edinburgh University and you can find more about her here,  here and here.  Rowing is one of Britain's most successful Olympic sports.

Prestonfield Avenue bus lane

A word of warning that the Prestonfield Avenue bus lane leading to Peffermill Road is one of the locations where the bus lane cameras is being sited.  There are ten sites - with the cameras being cycled round the sites.

There has been considerable attention to the recent introduction of the Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras such as here and here.

Previous post here.

Water mains bursts

Bursts of water mains at 11 points in the city network have caused problems as Scottish Water struggles to cope with the repairs.

North Bridge, Grassmarket and Leith Street seem to be worst affected.  I have no direct indication of problems within the Southside & Newington ward. 

The cause is described as a 'technical problem'  - which, presumably means too much pressure.  Here is one report from earlier today.

Southsider pub barmaid dies aged 22

Gael Mackinnon, who was doing a sports science degree at Edinburgh University course at Telford, died on Sunday morning.

She had worked for four years at the Southsider in West Richmond Street.  She died suddenly after what may have been a heart  attack.

More here.

Amended and update 170512.  She had also been doing work experience at Cluny Lodge in Morningside

Sciennes taking the tablets

The use of iPads by pupils at Sciennes Primary was given a publicity boost last week when Education Minister Mike Russell visited and highlighted consideration of the use of technology in schools.

More details here.

Cameron Toll temporary restrictions

A March 2011 incident at the bridge

For four nights from next Monday (21st May) there will be closures and delays at the Cameron Toll roundabout.

These will operate from 7pm to 5am and, to faciltate the consequent diversions, the Prestonefield Bus Lane will be suspended at appropriate times.

The closures and diversions will vary according to the progress of the work being done - which is to allow signing works on the bridge parapets.

What is Jason Auld doing now?

Unicyclist extraordinary Jason Auld, who resides in the Southside, is expanding his reach with Voodoo Unicycles.  Here is the video of the Unicycles Academy held recently at Stewart's Melville College.

This blog has followed Jason's progress with interest:

• Extreme Unicyclist needs help
• World record attempt
• Extreme unicycling display marathon

Moncrieff Terrace: new parking place

An additional parking place for permit holders is being created in Moncrieff Terrace.

The proposal is currently subject to consultation.  Details here under TRO/48/11D.  Any comments required by 5th June.