Useful Community Information

East Craigs, Low Traffic neighbourhood – community engagement now live

The City of Edinburgh Council are developing a project to create a safer and more comfortable street environment for walking, cycling, wheeling and spending time in the local streets and outdoor spaces of East Craigs. To achieve this, we are looking to develop a Low Traffic Neighbourhood in the area.  This new project is separate from the recent Spaces for People temporary measures programme and not in relation to the pandemic response.

As a stakeholder for the project, would like to make you aware that a community engagement with residents is now live from 8th – 28th February 2021 to gather information and inform the scope of the project.

Residents, businesses and locals will have the opportunity to respond by post, email and an online survey, with all materials available online at https://westedinburghlink.info/consultation/.

A leaflet with these details has been posted to all residents and businesses in the project area. Please get in touch with the project team if you require further information or have any issues with access.  Please feel free to share this email with anyone who may be interested.

Next steps

Following the above period of engagement, which we will summarise and share with you in March/April, and a scope will be agreed and concept designs developed for further community engagement during May 2021. Any final designs will be subject to Traffic Orders consultation and Council committee approval.

 The initial implementation of the scheme will be in the form of an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order, expected late 2021. This has the benefit of offering a trial of the solutions which can be adjusted depending on success

We will be in touch with more information as we progress.  In the meantime, if you have any queries about the survey, please contact anna.mcrobbie@aecom.com. For project related queries, please contact Martyn.Lings@edinburgh.gov.uk or Kevin.Gauld@edinburgh.gov.uk.

Free Meals on Wheels from LifeCare

LifeCare’s Meals on Wheels service launched in September last year in direct response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The service is:

  • Delivering fresh, nutritious meals, hot and ready to eat
  • To over 65s in North Edinburgh, twice a week
  • Free of charge– this project is currently fully funded thanks to Barclays 100×100 UK Covid-19 Community Relief Programme.

We have found that the service has been of benefit to

  • Older carers in need of some respite
  • Those who cannot currently attend day or lunch clubs
  • Those who are recovering after a period of illness, a fall or a stay in hospital
  • Those who are struggling with their mobility
  • Those who have become more isolated due to the pandemic
  • Those at risk of food deprivation

We hope that the service will not only benefit people now but protect them from the longer term impacts of the pandemic and help then to maintain their strength, health and abilities so they can re-entre the community when the pandemic is over.

Following the service’s success so far and in light of a new ‘stay at home’ orders we are now extending the support to provide 400 meals every week.

“It’s first-class and could not be better…I look forward to Monday and Wednesday knowing I am going to get a lovely cooked hot meal. Many, many thanks to all”

“the whole day is a little bit lighter for not having to worry, or even think, about preparing a main meal”

“We get properly fresh cooked meals twice a week and very tasty too! … Don’t know how we managed before this help- thank you”

“A huge difference. I find it more and more difficult to motivate myself to prepare and cook food … it is also difficult for me to stand for any period of time in the kitchen…Deliverers(!) are always cheerful which helps a lot- especially in this difficult time”

If you know of anyone who would benefit from the service please get in touch

0131 343 0940

www.lifecare-edinburgh.org.uk/services/meals-on-wheels

Free transport to vaccine appointments

HcL (https://www.hcltransport.org.uk/) are offering FREE transport for people with mobility challenges to get their vaccine. Please note:

– Any person who has challenges with getting out and about due to age, disability, heath issues, additional support needs or geographic remoteness is eligible to use the service.

– You do not need to be registered with HcL already.

Bookings are subject to availability so we recommend passengers call as soon as they have their vaccine appointment. We will do our very best to help transport a many people as we can, under current guidelines.

Call 0131 447 9949 to book for transport in Edinburgh, East Lothian or Midlothian.

Drum Brae South Bus Lane Camera

The Council is introducing five new bus lane enforcement cameras around Edinburgh. One of these locations is on Drum Brae South, monitoring southbound traffic and is located in advance of the junction with Corstorphine Bank Terrace, within your Community Council boundary.

The camera will go live and begin to issue warning notices from Monday 2 November 2020 for two weeks to motorists who incorrectly drive within the bus lane during operational hours. An extra week will allow additional time for notices to be delivered, before charge notices are expected to be issued from Monday 23 November 2020.

There are no changes to the layout or operational times of the bus lane as a result of this project. However, additional yellow warning signs are in place on approach to the camera to inform motorists and further promotional activities are planned, such as on the Council’s website and social media channels.

Safer Communities, Safer Scotland

Useful information on keeping you, your family and your community safe can be found here.

Free benefit and debt advice for Edinburgh residents

As the coronavirus pandemic hits the economy harder, more people are now dependent on benefits due to job loss and reduced income. Many people aren’t able to pay for essential things like rent and mortgage costs while others struggle with fuel and food costs.

Four of the city’s advice services are still busy working to support residents to maximise their income and support through these difficult times – whether it is helping people to get the benefits they are entitled to, helping manage debt or rent arrears, giving advice on housing problems or budgeting or help with food and bills. All services are currently providing assistance remotely though some are starting to offer limited face to face appointments.

Contact us if you or any of your clients/residents/community/members need help through these difficult times:

Doorstep Crime – Shut out Scammers – 

A video with key tips can be viewed and shared here: https://youtu.be/esLVTNy3afg

Cyber Resilience

Latest Cyber Resilience bulletin which details information on the latest scams and also advice on how to protect ourselves and businesses.

PETAL (People Experiencing Trauma and Loss)

Offering time limited bereavement support to anyone bereaved by Covid-19, as well as their usual services for those bereaved through murder and suicide. See PETAL leaflet.

HcL Transport – Service Update

Alcoholics Anonymous

Volunteering in the Community

Edinburgh City Council NW Area – News, Information and Event roundup

Edinburgh Health & Social Care Partnership

Details of the Flue Vaccination Programme in Edinburgh can be found here.

Ss John the Baptist and Kentigern is a Parish of the Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh, registered charity No. SCO08540