Peffermill sports village plans

Edinburgh University plan to extend sporting facilities at the east end of Peffermill Road near to Cameron Toll.

The plans will be on display to the public as follows:

Wednesday 24 April, 5.30pm-8.00pm | Cameron House Community Education Centre, 34 Prestonfield Avenue, Edinburgh, EH16 5EU

Thursday 25 April, 4.00pm-8.00pm | Laurie Liddell Clubhouse, University of Edinburgh Playing Fields, 42 Peffermill Road, Edinburgh, EH16 5LL

You can also see the initial plans online at the Edinburgh Planning Portal here.  The application number you will need is 19/01249/PAN.

Forensic officers at scene in Hope Park

A man was taken to hospital this afternoon from the public toilets in Hope Park at the East end of the Meadows.  Forensic officers are conducting an examination of the scene.

2 Robberies in Southside in the early hours

Police have issued descriptions of suspects wanted in connection with reports of two robberies in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The incidents took place in Sciennes House Place - just off Causewayside soon after 1am on Sunday morning, and the second in  Drummond Street a short time later.  In both cases a knife was presented at the victims, who were unaccompanied women.

In the Sciennes incident, he suspects are described as white men, aged in their early thirties to forties. The suspect on the bike is described as 6ft tall, slim build, with greying black short hair, unkempt facial hair and was wearing a light coloured t-shirt.
The second man was shorter, around 5ft 5ins to 5ft 7ins tall, and of medium build. He had dark hair and was clean shaven, wearing a light green padded jacket and black trousers.

The descriptions for the second incident are

In the second robbery the suspects were described as white men, in their early 30s to 40s. The man on the bike was described as being 6ft tall, of slim build, with greying black short hair, unkempt facial hair and was wearing a light-coloured T-shirt.

The second man was shorter, about 5ft 5in to 5ft 7in tall. of medium build. He had dark hair, was clean shaven and was wearing a light green padded jacket and black trousers. 

The police media release is here .  Contact police if you have any suspicions at to who the culpris may be.

£257m tram extension voted through

The Greens and the SNP/Labour Administration voted this through at a Council meeting today. 

Over recent weeks I have spent a good while looking at some of the details of the business case. 

Now I appreciate there is a case for going ahead and completing this part of the line in view of the work already done.  But that is almost entirely a political case rather than based on an assessment of the  business case and benefits and disbenefits.

Here are 8 reasons why it is not a good decision:

• Cost per mile: £129m compared with the cost for the Airport to York Place section which, even after the overuns, disputes and delays, came in at £115m (per mile). this price includes a contingency allowance and projected borrowing costs.
• Lord Hardie Report:  The 'Lessons Learned' from the last tram project has not been published nor communicated to the Council
• The Contract:  which was a major issue last time leaves the bulk of the risk with the Council
• Current subsidy:  In the last year the taxpayers of Edinburgh contributed around £18m to keep the earlier project afloat.  That amounts to an average subsidy of approx £2.57 for every journey taken.
• Lothian Buses:  The business case estimates 87% of the new customers for the tram on the extension route will come from buses - presenting challenges for the viability of Lothian Buses.
• Spend to date:  The Council has already spent over £6m before the decision today in preparing for the decision.
• Transfer from cars:  We heard it is anticipated that the extension will lead to a 3% transfer from cars to public transport
• Displacement:  We heard evidence today that displacement of particulate emissions, noise and traffic could be expected onto surrounding routes which would undermine the assumed improvements in air quality

It is very expensive and will bring no benefit to South Edinburgh streets.

West Mains Road Patching

Pothole patching is due in West Mains Road from Monday 18th to Friday 22nd March.

Whistleblower legal case rumbles on

This local long-running case continues and there is an update in the Evening News today.  You can find the developments here.

Alasdair Forsyth was Clearburn murder victim

Police have now released the name of the 67 year old man who died with head injuries last week after events in Clearburn Road.  Alasdair Forsyth was a local resident.  Three teenagers have been charged and remanded in custody.

The police media release is here.