BEAR Scotland, on behalf of Transport Scotland, is committed to maintaining and improving the trunk road network in your area. As such, we will be undertaking landscape management works including the removal of dangerous and diseased trees and other vegetation.
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Slip road closures will be in place at Gilmerton Junction on the nights of 31 August to 11 September, and then at Straiton Junction on the nights of 21 September to 1 October.

Dates, locations and diversion routes for closures are listed here: 
31/08/2026 to 07/09/2026 (22:00-06:00) (6 nights) Gilmerton eastbound off-slip Slip road closure Diversion routes Traffic diverted via Lasswade Junction, then along Gilmerton Station Road to Gilmerton Road.
08/09/2026 – 11/09/2026 (22:00-06:00) (4 nights) Gilmerton westbound on-slip Slip road closure Traffic diverted via Gilmerton Road, then along Gilmerton Station Road to Lasswade Junction.
21/09/2026 – 24/09/2026 (22:00-06:00) (4 nights) Straiton eastbound off-slip Slip road closure Traffic diverted to Lasswade Junction, returning via Lasswade Road, then along Lang Loan to Straiton Junction..

The Community Council are aware of the damage to a planter and to the litter bin in the Main Street which is understood to have happened over the weekend.
We have alerted City of Edinburgh Council to the incident and hope for a quick repair as the planter contains the holder for the Christmas Tree.
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Balerno Community Council has unanimously agreed to adopt the Local Place Plan (LPP) and to notify local City Councillors and neighbouring Community Councils as statutory stakeholders, as required, via a statutory Information Notice. 

​The move followed a presentation at their August meeting from the Council’s LPP Working Group who have been discussing the issue for several months.
 
At the meeting in the Community Centre, the Council heard comments from the members of the public who were present along with Westminster MP, Dr Scott Athur, and, after further discussion and agreement on a minor adjustment, the plan was agreed.
 
The LPP will be published on-line and reference only copies are to be placed in the Balerno Library for public information.
 
Thereafter, the LPP will be submitted to the City of Edinburgh Council (CEC) for Registration. Submission for registration is not less than 28 days after issue of the Information Notice and any comments received by the Community Council in response to that statement will be forwarded to the City of Edinburgh Council.  
 
Meanwhile, other key issues affecting the village were discussed. They included the weed problem across the village and, in particular, on roads and pavements.
 
Balerno Community Council agreed  to pursue the matter further with relevant city councillors and officials and, in particular, they will request resources for the manual removal of weeds. 
 
Council members expressed real concern at reports of threatening behaviour at car parks at Harlaw and Threipmuir reservoirs and agreed to pursue the matter through city councillors and Police Scotland. 
 
The 13 members present agreed to accept an offer by the Currie & Balerno News to provide a bench for the community and to look at options for placement with a site overlooking the Bavelaw Burn beside the Bavelaw Green Bridge being mentioned. 
 
Balerno Community Council anticipates hearing from contractors on the provision of a replacement for the village gateway sign on the boundary with Currie which is not in good repair.  
 
Other items discussed included the siting of a village Christmas Tree in Main Street and Balerno Community Council is in discussions with other stakeholders as to how that might be achieved in 2026. 
 
Under the heading of resilience, the Community Council discussed what level of planning there might be in relation to a possible wildfire in the Pentland Hills. More information is required. 
 
Member agreed to respond positively to an invitation to be involved in talks concerning Community Wealth Investment and noted talks involving Balerno Pathways Limited on the engineer sign-off on the Bavelaw Green Bridge are continuing slowly. 
 
Preparation of a Good Neighbour Agreement between the Balerno Community Council and Ravelrig Quarry operators, Tarmac, is awaiting response from Tarmac’s lawyers. 
 
Finally, the meeting agreed that the 2025/26 Annual General Meeting should be held immediately before the November monthly meeting as it had been in 2025 for the 2024/25 annual report and accounts. 




​Richard Henderson, chairman Balerno Community Council

I am writing to make you aware that we are reviewing our policy with regard to Second-hand Dealers. At its meeting on 1 December 2025, the Council’s Regulatory Committee approved a consultation on the Second-hand Dealers’ Resolution (which sets out the types of business which require a Second-hand Dealers’ Licence in Edinburgh) and licence conditions. This consultation is now open, and we invite you to respond by 22 August 2026.
 
Similarly, please feel welcome to mention this consultation on your Community Council webpage or social media – we are hoping to hear from anyone with a view on Second-hand Dealer licensing and all responses will be carefully considered.
 
The consultation can be accessed at:
Second Hand Dealer Resolution and Licence Conditions - 2026 - City of Edinburgh Council - Citizen Space
 
The supporting documents for the consultation are provided below:
 
Report to Regulatory Committee on 1 December 2025
 
Current Second-hand Dealer Licence conditions
 
Should you require further information please feel welcome to email me.
 
Kind regards,
 
Anna Darocha| Regulatory Officer | Licensing Service |Directorate of Place | City of Edinburgh Council | Level 10, City Chambers, 249 High Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1YJ  | Tel 0131 529 4208 | [email protected] | Follow us on X @Edin_Licensing