Blogs

Mapping the issues- a question of trust

Submitted by e2toe4
on Mon, 01/14/2013 - 12:45

There is a valid question asked from time to time as to exactly what it is  that the Residents want?

But the problem is that without confidence in the underlying sincerity of the Council any new initiative may just be (yet another) attempt the kick the issues into the long grass for another decade or so.

Where trust or confidence has been lost it can't be cajoled or hectored back into existence..

But, if so, then how to break the log jam and move forward?

Just admitting there are issues and valid concerns would be a start.

Stop treating Council actions in the past as if they originated in

Letter in the Herald highlights vital point about Trams not being admitted by Council

Submitted by e2toe4
on Fri, 01/11/2013 - 18:17

An interesting letter in the Herald exposing some of the still current mistaken assumptions that the Council continue to do nothing to correct.

Especially the part played by the geometry of track needed to accomodate the very long train sets at a junction that is just about the most complicated and crucial in the city.

The writer concentrates on the effect of effectively denying the roadway to almost all traffic where Shandwick Place meets Queensferry Street, Hope Street, Lothian Road and Princes Street.

We have asked repeatedly for the projections and predictions of traffic across

Let's get this delivered on time and on budget eh?!!

Submitted by e2toe4
on Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:05

This breaking news, of a new road project in Leith needs to be managed effectively and innovatively

Perhaps what is needed is for the Council to set up an arms length company to ensure it is delivered on time and on budget! 

Or perhaps.....er....maybe...not!?!

Perhaps what actually needs to be done is not just build a single routeway for a solitary purpose (Where's the 'integrated transport system fit for the 21st century in that?)---simply to get big lumps of steel shipped in, welded and shipped out as even bigger white tubes and blades ---  but planning all this as part of a 'Northern

Let us peer into the crystal ball

Submitted by e2toe4
on Sun, 12/30/2012 - 23:21

A twitter alert on the 30th December... a preview peek into what the instructions will be when the new lovely Charlotte Square Public Realm works are complete and the buses no longer allowed to squeeze down the much narrowed roadway and disturb the office workers and hotel guests???

 

Road closed due to a fire,Services eastbound diverted via Randolph Crescent,Queen Street,North Castle Street and George Street. Services northbound operating via Charlotte Square,randolph Crescent and back onto route at Queensferry Street.

 


12192631374147100

Festive Picture Quiz

Submitted by e2toe4
on Fri, 12/28/2012 - 16:52

A Festive picture quiz comparing the tram projects in our own Incr-Edinburgh and another European Historic City with a World Heritage centre; Reims, In France. (Thanks for people pointing out this typo in the original -- Reims NOT Reins!!)

1) Which Tram project started planning in 2003, i) Totally Incr-Edinburgh, ii) Reims or iii) Both?

2) Which Tram started running operationally in April 2011, i) Absolutely Incr-Edinburgh  ii) Reims?

3) Spot the Difference

Study the two pictures carefully

 

Edinburgh Tram runs on test track at top speed for first time

Submitted by e2toe4
on Sat, 12/22/2012 - 23:49

This newspaper story 'broke' this week in Edinburgh.

At the same time the newsdesk here received a leaked draft of a follow up News release seemingly from within the communications department:

From the office of Dear Leader, Sue-Kim Bruce ,

To: All staff in the Waverley Court Heavenly Palace of Contentment, (formerly The Old Town hall)

City of Incredinburgh,(Formerly Edinburgh)


Dated: This year of our Tram -2 (formerly Year of our Tram +2) 

Dear Loyal members of the Fellowship of the Tram!

Rejoice!!!

It is my happy duty to inform you all that I and my fellow colleagues on the 'Top Floor'

No ' i ' in TEam anymore

Submitted by e2toe4
on Sat, 11/24/2012 - 00:09

There's no 'i' in the TIE team anymore.

Maybe it was removed for a good reason, or maybe not...we don't know because we haven't been told.

But could it be a harbinger of more wide ranging changes that could see Edinburgh left with a unique committee overseeing it's unique tram project?????

Why don't we shut up and just leave it to the experts?

Submitted by e2toe4
on Sun, 11/18/2012 - 17:28

To some within Edinburgh Council we are just a bunch of troublemakers looking for any excuse to keep moaning about the tram project, which they wish to portray as  now well on track and heading for success; and we'd be better advised to just get in behind it and give it all our support.

The reason we don't do this is we believe the Council are NOT heading for success but to an ever more serious disaster.

The traffic congestion about which we complain is happening in our streets, but it isn't just about our streets, because it is also happening in more and more streets across the city,

Anyone know the answer to this question?

Submitted by e2toe4
on Mon, 11/12/2012 - 18:04

Given the enormous weight of scientific evidence, and even some mentions by Edinburgh Council recently, it is beyond argument that traffic created pollution causes illness in people (respiratory conditions like asthma) and even early deaths, often through cardiac attacks or strokes (some elements in pollution thicken the blood).

For some of the pollutants, like PM2.5/PM10s, there isn't really a safe level--they're zero tolerance pollutants. This applies to Nitrogen Dioxide as well, so the EU limit we are hearing a lot about isn't a 'safe limit' ,it is a statutory limit---not the same thing.

MONITORING FUMES WILL RAISE LIFE EXPECTANCY?

Submitted by e2toe4
on Tue, 10/30/2012 - 11:28

This article/comment piece in the Evening News is an example of why the recent UN Aarhus findings are important in helping people keep those in authority 'honest' and have facts at their fingertips and not PR spin chucked in their faces.

 

 

It's sort of obvious but I'll say it all the same: There is no possibility whatsoever that just monitoring fumes will raise life expectancy.... the only thing that may do that is the actions that re taken when the monitoring data is collated and understood properly.

As well as just being a smartass swipe at an underpressure headline writer the fact

Pages