Three highly-topical issues are high on the agenda for the next meeting of the Balerno Community Council (BCC) in the Community Centre in Main Steeet at 7pm on Thursday, parking charges at Harlaw, the proposal to have a fireworks control zone over the whole of Balerno and also the opening of the Green Bridge.
Richard Henderson, BCC chairman said: “While there was a public consultation in 2020, so far as we are aware there has been no follow up consultation on any proposed charging scheme for parking at Harlaw. It is important to remember that, unlike other Pentland Hills Regional Park access car parks, neither Harlaw nor Threipmuir car parks are accessible by public transport, meaning that relatively short visits as in the case of dog walking or running are effectively discouraged if the only practicable access is by car. We need more information from City of Edinburgh Council (CEC) as to just what in particular they intend in developing a charging regime, and what steps they will take to ensure that the community can be fully involved. Apart from making that clear to CEC, BCC’s aim now should be to formulate some suggestions to CEC as to how the city might better engage with the community on this issue.”
Fireworks Control Zone: BCC recognises that fireworks control is a difficult and sensitive issue. BCC wrote to CEC in response to CEC’s disappointing consultation on this matter, setting out concerns especially about creating a restricted zone which effectively splits a community. Our comments were picked up in the September issue of the Currie & Balerno News, and the council will now be considering options for further response.
The Green Bridge: The Bridge is now open again but there are one or two points to be covered before completion, including options for the renewal of related paths in the vicinity, and also the connection from the bridge into the Malleny Estate.
Roundabout at the entrance to the Main Street: We listened to a proposal to make the roundabout a real entry to the Main Street, as has happened in towns around Britain, and we will be considering our options as regards this issue.
Local place plan:: this is a key issue moving forward and we will look to discuss that at our meeting.
Members of the public are welcome to attend.
.
Richard Henderson, BCC chairman said: “While there was a public consultation in 2020, so far as we are aware there has been no follow up consultation on any proposed charging scheme for parking at Harlaw. It is important to remember that, unlike other Pentland Hills Regional Park access car parks, neither Harlaw nor Threipmuir car parks are accessible by public transport, meaning that relatively short visits as in the case of dog walking or running are effectively discouraged if the only practicable access is by car. We need more information from City of Edinburgh Council (CEC) as to just what in particular they intend in developing a charging regime, and what steps they will take to ensure that the community can be fully involved. Apart from making that clear to CEC, BCC’s aim now should be to formulate some suggestions to CEC as to how the city might better engage with the community on this issue.”
Fireworks Control Zone: BCC recognises that fireworks control is a difficult and sensitive issue. BCC wrote to CEC in response to CEC’s disappointing consultation on this matter, setting out concerns especially about creating a restricted zone which effectively splits a community. Our comments were picked up in the September issue of the Currie & Balerno News, and the council will now be considering options for further response.
The Green Bridge: The Bridge is now open again but there are one or two points to be covered before completion, including options for the renewal of related paths in the vicinity, and also the connection from the bridge into the Malleny Estate.
Roundabout at the entrance to the Main Street: We listened to a proposal to make the roundabout a real entry to the Main Street, as has happened in towns around Britain, and we will be considering our options as regards this issue.
Local place plan:: this is a key issue moving forward and we will look to discuss that at our meeting.
Members of the public are welcome to attend.
.
