At the last Portobello Community Council meeting we had representatives along from City of Edinburgh Council and Lothian Buses to update on the plans for Brighton Place.
Lothian Buses have agreed that points raised by the community regarding buses would be considered further and alternative solutions to temporary routes and bus stops would be explored. Due to the Barratts development at Baileyfield South, Baileyfield Crescent is in the process of being stopped up (removed as a road). As such it wouldn’t be practical to form a pedestrian route to the existing stop on Sir Harry Lauder Road. The community council have suggested an alternative temporary stop location, access and crossings. Lothian Buses aim to update us before the next community council meeting (25 June). Also the route 69 would run along Portobello High St, turning at Morton St.
The Council shared detailed construction plans, which we have placed in Portobello Library. In summary:
- Existing road surface is to be excavated to depth of 535mm and reconstructed with
- 150mm thick of Type 1 sub-base
- 200mm thick of AC32 Dense Base asphalt
- Relay existing setts using propriety rigid paving system to BS7533, with existing pattern
- 1.5m strip on either side is to be relaid with flat-topped setts, to aid active travel.
- All side streets will have asphalt junction onto Brighton Place
- The start date of the works have still to be confirmed – end of summer was likely, however due to possible conflicts with other works at Craigentinny, the start of 2019 is a possibility.
- Due to standard framework contracts, the proposed cost of the works is anticipated to be nearer to £700,000 and not towards the £1.3 million suggested back in 2014. Relaying with tarmac has not been costed but previously was around £400,000.
- Note: construction cost estimates in the Council setted streets policy would give costs for setts at: £685k – £960k; asphalt: £140k – £190k.
Portobello Community Council will continue to work with the City of Edinburgh Council and Lothian Buses to mitigate the impact of this programme of work, to help inform locals. However, this cannot be looked at as a road project in isolation, it needs to include accessibility and the impact to businesses as part of the plans.
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