This is a shorter version of Spokes's submission:-
WATER OF LEITH – NEW BRIDGE POSSIBLE – PLEASE HELP BY 25 AUGUST
The consultation for proposals to redevelop the former 'Booker' site at Longstone, near the Union Canal aqueduct, close on 25 August. Spokes, the local community council, and local councillor Gavin Corbett (a Spokes member) are arguing for the development to include a bridge over the Water of Leith.
Due to covid, there is not the usual public drop-in. The proposals are online at inglisgreenroad.co.uk until Aug 25. This is short notice, but if you are affected do reply, supporting a new bridge.
Spokes supports the development in general because it is high-density and on a brownfield site, with good public transport and some connections to local cycling routes.
The developers have proposed a footpath between the housing and the Water of Leith but are missing a trick by not including a foot/cycling bridge over the river.
The benefits of a bridge would be:-
For residents of the new development and of Longstone:-
• quick and easy access to the Asda supermarket;
• easy access to the Water of Leith Path - excellent for recreation, for residents especially;
• WoL Path also connects to walking/cycle routes to the City and beyond;
• easy access to New Mart Leisure Complex, including the Corn Exchange;
• beyond the Leisure Complex, Edinburgh West Retail Park offers a variety of shops;
• access to a river bank, for fishing etc (the bank on the side of the development is steep, making the river itself hard to access)
• a pleasanter, less polluted journey for children in Longstone who attend St Cuthberts Catholic primary in Hutchison, also a quick walk/cycle to the Redhall Star winter football training behind the Corn Exchange
For residents of New Mart (the other side of the river)
• direct foot/cycle access to the Sainsbury's supermarket and to whatever new outlets/employment opportunities are built on the Inglis Green Road site. They could also access the canal towpath via Redhall Park; also children from the New Mart side could attend Longstone School, directly and via quiet roads.
As an alternative to the Canal Aqueduct crossing
• The aqueduct has a narrow, very uneven and tricky towpath as it crosses the Water of Leith, and alternatives to this busy route have long been sought. A footbridge at 'Inglis Green Road' could provide a solution. The crossing of Inglis Green Rd at Sainsbury's leads to Redhall Park, and from there to the canal, west-bound, and to the NCN75 old rail-path to Colinton, Juniper Green and Balerno.
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