Consultation and draft park plan

We are consulting on how to improve the park after the floodworks.

There is a draft plan based on initial discussions with Council
officers. We need to find out what park users think of those ideas and to pick up any new ideas.

We hope you can express your view in one or more of these ways:

There is a quick online survey here: http://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/HK6B2JG

View more detail information and the draft plan here ParkPlanSurvey [2Mb pdf]

There is a dropーin session at Roseburn Primary School on Wednesday
13th April anytime between 5pm and 8.30pm (64 Roseburn Street).

There will be an update at the Murrayfield Community Council meeting
on Tuesday 19th April at 7.30pm (Murrayfield Parish Church Centre, 2b
Ormidale Terrace.

Pile testing works

The following public notice has been released by Eleana Caldow | PR Liaison (Civils) | McLaughlin & Harvey Ltd, the flood defence works contractor:
Public Notice
Re: Water of Leith Flood Prevention – Pile Testing Works
We will be carrying out Pile Testing works in individual areas along the river within the next 2 weeks.
This is to enable us to plan the main construction works which are due to commence in the summer.
All works will be carried out in accordance with our strict approved procedures.
Should you have any queries please call:
028 9034 1420
Or via email at
Enquiries.waterofleith@mclh.co.uk

Trees and flood defence works

You may have noticed the decorated trees.

Concerned residents have raised a petition against the removal of trees as part of the upcoming flood works, and especially two of the oldest at the NE entrance (with ovals on the map below).

The petition is here: https://www.change.org/p/edinburgh-council-save-two-oldest-trees-in-roseburn-park-edinburgh

Friends of Roseburn Park have requested a walk through with the project manager to assess the necessity of removing the designated trees.  There is some suggestion that some of the removals were needed for the scheme before it was revised and might no longer be required.

Whilst we are extremely saddened at the prospect of losing any trees we recognise that local residents have waited some considerable time for action to be taken to improve flood defences. We understand that the designated trees are either in the direct line of building works or are likely to have root damage during the works thus creating a hazard or potential flood risk. Removing trees simply for convenience sake is clearly unacceptable and we will argue strongly against this.

We have also been arguing for some of the felled trunks to be retained in the park and incorporated into it to allow children to play on the logs as part of ongoing efforts to work on a new play scheme.  This has been thus far opposed by the Council for various reasons.

On the plus side the plans include planting more trees than are due to be felled (mature specimens, though obviously not of the age and size of some due to go).

All comments are welcome and will be passed to the council.

TreesAtRisk [5483267]

City looking at replacing glyphosates (Round-up)

Friends of Roseburn Park recently brought up with City Council our concerns about the use of glyphosates in controlling weeds and borders in the park, particularly around the play area.  Glyphosates are the active ingredient in the popular herbicide, Round-up.  Recently the World Health Organisation has upgraded glyphosates to “probable carcinogen”, which is the second highest risk category for chemicals in relation to cancer.

The Council has since announced that they are exploring alternative ways of controlling weeds in order to phase out the use of this weed-killer:

http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/glyphosate-weedkiller-to-be-ditched-over-cancer-fears-1-3986630

 

Cycling and flood defences in the park

Cycling types interested in what’s happening in the park next year as a result of flood defences, and proposed re-routing of some paths, please get in touch!  Friends of Roseburn Park is taking the view that the Council should be considering improvements to the park following the works.

What to do about the old toilet block?

Your views needed before 24 November!
After some consideration, we think that the limited purposes to which the building might be used will make it difficult to access the funding necessary to refurbish it.
But what to do?
Suggest the City Council make it available for commercial lease?
Suggest the City Council demolish it?
Do you have ideas for uses?
Would you prefer demolition?
Do you want to become involved in this issue?
Let us know by 24 November by commenting here or visiting us on Facebook.
EDWARDIAN PHOTOGRAPH FROM OLD MURRAYFIELD AND CORSTORPHINE – ROBIN SHERMAN: PP7

EDWARDIAN PHOTOGRAPH FROM OLD MURRAYFIELD AND CORSTORPHINE – ROBIN SHERMAN: PP7