Five things you need to know today
Sheriffhall roundabout update (spoiler not much to see here), and Winchburgh Station
Book now for a Bike Ride on Saturday
Detour movement by bike 9am to 2pm
Join Detour for a social bike ride and outdoor movement practice. They will meet at 9am at Tribe Porty, ride around 15 miles at a relaxed pace, and stop off at Dalkeith Country Park.
There will be a short break, followed by a 45 minute guided outdoor movement practice. A spokesperson said: "Our movement workshops include functional movement, sensory exploration and creative play. The route will take us back to Tribe, where there will be food and music to enjoy. Open to adults of all ages and experiences, our events aim to bring people together to be active and creative, while connecting to the outdoors. We ride and a relaxed pace, including plently of stops to hydrate and chat."
Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal
The papers for Friday's meeting of the City Region Deal to be held at Tweedbank are now online, including a status report on the Sheriffhall roundabout. The report makes it clear that any uplift in the cost of redesigning the only junction on the A720 which is not "grade-separated" and often experiences "significant queuing especially during peak hours". The report explains that any Changs would separate local traffic from "strategic traffic" and would improve journey times. It would also remove a barrier for those using public transport or active travel.
The report states: "Following the undertaking of a Public Local Inquiry (PLI) for the proposed Scheme in early 2023, the independent Reporter’s report was issued to the Scottish Government on 10 October 2023. The Scottish Government is considering the recommendations within the independent Reporter’s report to inform a decision. While Transport Scotland is keen to see the improvements delivered as soon as possible, the statutory right for individuals to have their say on proposals cannot be set aside."
The other update of note is the Winchburgh Railway Station - which was included in the initial deal document signed in 2018 in a pledge by the Scottish Government to spend at last £50 million on transport projects related to seven strategic housing sites. A planning application has been lodged with West Lothian Council this week for a new station. Network Rail has confirmed a cost estimate of the station of £20.5m - £22-5m (on a 2027 cost estimate) and work is on-going to confirm what part of this overall cost remains to be secured having regard to the funding contribution set out above.
Although a link onto the M9 motorway was built as part of the development the report sets out why the requirement to provide a railway station could not be dealt with in the same way: "When West Lothian Council identified Winchburgh as a Core Development Area to meet forecast population growth it did so on the back of a strategic site appraisal of competing sites. One of the key considerations was the ability to provide sustainable transport links.
The development sits on either side of the Edinburgh – Linlithgow – Glasgow/Stirling railway line and the approved masterplan for the site includes provision of a railway station.
"Although the masterplan identifies the railway station it wasn’t, unlike the other
infrastructure necessary to support the development, possible to condition delivery of that station as part of the planning consent. This was a consequence of a business case to demonstrate the need and viability of the station being required and timetabling work being carried out to ensure that an additional stop could be factored into timetabling on the main line. Both matters were subsequently addressed but not before planning consent for the
masterplan was granted. A requirement to fund the station from developer obligations could not be secured retrospectively."
Read all the papers and watch online here. (If the meeting has finished the webcast will be available as an archive.
Restless Natives are out and about
The cast of Restless Natives: The Musical posed on Calton Hill ahead of their run at Leith Theatre from 7 to 21 June, on the penultimate stop on its Scottish tour.
The notorious Clown and Wolfman from Restless Natives: The Musical pose atop the National Monument on Calton Hill ahead of the musical's arrival at the legendary Leith Theatre from 7-21 June.
https://www.restlessnativesthemusical.com
The Old Edinburgh Club collaboration with Edinburgh Libraries
There is a fascinating account on the Tales of One City website run by Edinburgh City Libraries about the ongoing work by The Old Edinburgh Club and the libraries who are highlighting gems in their collection and cataloguing the Edinburgh and Scottish manuscript collection. This latest article includes reference to a notebook compiled by a Mr J Scouller between 1936 and 1951.
This is a diary in which Mr Scouller tells us how he spends each day - but there are some gaps in the story still to be filled in - including some details about Mr Scouller himself.
One part of the narrative is: "As a member of the County of Edinburgh and Leith Rover Scouts, he attended and took part in dramatic and musical performances held at the Music Hall on George Street. We now refer to it as a venue within the Assembly Rooms. One of the programmes included in the journal is the Rovers' production of a play called ‘Oh! Mummy.’ It is not clear what involvement Mr Scouller had with the play, but upon seeing the show he comments that "it was a bit weak in parts". However, it was all for a good cause as proceeds from ticket sales were to go towards Scout Troops and Cub Packs working in unfortunate environments under great hardship."
Capella Edina Edinburgh 900 Concert
The Rt Hon Lord Provost has asked Capella Edina to perform a special concert to honour Edinburgh 900. This concert will benefit the Lord Provost's charity, the OneCity Trust which tackles inequality in the city.
The concert will take place on Thursday, 26th June, at 7.30 pm at the Usher Hall, Edinburgh and will be a free concert for the public to attend.
The evening, entitled “Celebrate Edinburgh 900”, will feature a varied programme of Scottish traditional music and celebratory pieces by the Strauss family. Entitled “Celebrate Edinburgh 900” will present a varied programme of waltzes and polkas by the infamous Strauss family alongside Scottish traditional music. Capella Edina will be joined on stage by the young folk pianist Amy Laurenson, who has been named BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year for 2023, and by some other exceptional guests.
The Rt Hon Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, Councillor Robert Aldrige, will invite different members of the Edinburgh community to showcase that we are all part of one city. Tickets are free, but donations in aid of the One City Trust, which is fighting inequality and exclusion in Edinburgh, are encouraged.
The Lord Provost said: “Edinburgh 900 is a year-long celebration of our city’s rich history, culture, and bright future. What better way to honour this milestone than a special musical celebration at the spectacular Usher Hall. Free to all and featuring a wide catalogue of music and special guests there is something for everyone.
”In 2024, it was 900 years since Edinburgh became a royal borough. To commemorate this milestone in the city’s vast history the festivities around Edinburgh 900 are continuing this year and, as the city’s new symphony orchestra, Capella Edina are proud to play host to the musical celebration of this momentous occasion."
Director of Music and Chairman of Capella Edina, Luis Schmidt, said: “Edinburgh is a unique city because of its diverse cultural life. Hence, there could not be a better way of honouring Scotland’s capital than through a special concert. Music is able to bring people together – we all are part of one city, one Edinburgh.”
More information on the concert and free tickets are available now via www.ce.lsmpublishing.com
