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Scott Arthur Latest

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  • Started 2 years ago by chdot
  • Latest reply from bakky
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  1. MediumDave
    Member

    Oh, Edinburgh South West is Dan Heap.

    Problem solved.

    Though I'd miss him as a councillor.

    Posted 5 months ago #
  2. gembo
    Member

    Scott for prime minister

    Posted 5 months ago #
  3. Murun Buchstansangur
    Member

    I’m in a similar dilemma. While I’ve never voted for Cherry, she strikes me as a person with her own thoughts, views and the ability to articulate them, so a serious person for what should be a serious job.

    Then we come to the Twitter bantz edgelord

    I want rid of him for the sake of the future of active travel in Edinburgh, but I don’t want to see him utterly failing upwards and getting a five-year ticket on the gravy ingestion bus (best seat etc…)

    Perhaps there could be an unfortunate canvassing accident with a speeding rat running driver in somewhere that should have been LTNed long ago? That seems like karma

    Posted 5 months ago #
  4. chdot
    Admin

    Not wishing any accidents or deliberates (not even to…)

    But this one is enigmas and riddles.

    Views about JC, are shall we say, ‘mixed’.

    So too SA.

    Even with the notable change in popularity of Lab and SNP - but not in any binary/swap sense - it’s hard to understand why there is a belief that Lab could come from a bad third to a significant ’upset’.

    I know people who say he is ‘well liked’ in his ward - but that’s not the whole constituency.

    His Janus game of being ‘in favour’ of active travel, but not in my ward/constituency/where it will upset motorists, will win some votes.

    But that many??

    Of course he is STILL self-proclaimed “interim”.

    Would make sense to resign to concentrate on his planned parliamentary career.

    But this is SA.

    https://tactical.vote/edinburgh-south-west/

    Posted 5 months ago #
  5. chrisfl
    Member

    The Tactical.vote website uses quite a simple method. And just looking at who won last time, misses lots of subtleties.

    This website https://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/area_scot.html

    Puts LAB at 33.7% and SNP at 33.1%

    They then have:
    CON: 14.6%
    LIB: 7.0%
    REFORM: 3.6%
    GREEN: 5%
    OTHER: 2.9%

    In 2019 Conservatives were at 25%, Labour at 14% and Lib at 9.5%.

    If Conservative vote goes to Labour and Reform and as well as the drop in SNP vote then I can see a close run.

    Posted 5 months ago #
  6. chdot
    Admin

    Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Scott Arthur said:

    I’m proud that we’ve reached this important milestone in our journey to become a healthier, greener, and more sustainable city. For the past two years we’ve run a positive information campaign to give people time to get ready for the LEZ, and to make sure they avoid penalties once enforcement begins. We have ambitious plans to achieve net zero, accommodate sustainable growth, cut congestion, and improve air quality, amongst other commitments to create a safer and more people-friendly city; and the LEZ is a key component of these. Public attitudes towards LEZs are improving across Scotland, with a recent poll indicating that 60% of respondents were in favour of the zones, with just 21% opposed. This is clear evidence that people are seeing the many benefits of LEZs, and how they link in with our wider aims to make our city cleaner, greener and healthier for everyone. Alongside Aberdeen, Glasgow, and Dundee we’re sending a clear message that our major cities are united in pursuing a better future for all. And as Scotland’s capital city, we have a duty to lead on these key climate issues which will define our country for generations to come.”

    https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/news/article/13993/low-emission-zone-enforcement-begins-in-edinburgh

    Posted 4 months ago #
  7. chdot
    Admin

    The Edinburgh Reporter on my chances of taking the Edinburgh South West seat from the SNP, and thereby help establish a Labour Government.

    A vote for Labour isn’t a vote to send a message, it’s a vote to send a government to Westminster with Scottish Labour MPs at its heart, delivering the change Scotland needs.

    From: https://theedinburghreporter.co.uk/2024/05/election-2024-whos-standing-in-edinburgh-and-what-the-polls-say/

    https://x.com/cllrscottarthur/status/1796789807344984111?

    Posted 4 months ago #
  8. chdot
    Admin

    The SNP Government was underfunding Councils before austerity came along.

    https://x.com/cllrscottarthur/status/1797160513639424412

    Must be an election coming.

    Posted 4 months ago #
  9. chdot
    Admin

    “We’ve also learned key lessons on walking and cycling, particularly from the Trams to Newhaven project, and will continue to use this learning to inform our future work. I’m sure we can arrive at a positive solution on this next phase of the tram network expansion."

    https://www.scotsman.com/news/transport/roseburn-path-cycling-edinburgh-city-council-spokes-tram-lesley-hinds-4655592

    Posted 4 months ago #
  10. chdot
    Admin

    Getting Stuff Done - We are expecting delivery of temporary public toilets in parks as follows:

    1 The Meadows - Tuesday - 11th June 2024
    2 Straiton Place Park - Thursday - 13th June 2024
    3 Inverleith Park - Monday - 17th June 2024
    4 Leith Links-Thursday-20th June 2024

    These are the dates the units will be on site. The Council have the contractors working on utility connections, so hopefully we will be able to get the units operational as quickly as possible from these dates. We are also working on signage, too.

    The temporary toilets will be in place until 25 October 2024 initially. With proposals for more permanent facilities planned for the Meadows, Inverleith Park, and Leith Links for later in the year, we may seek to extend the temporary provision until the new facilities are available.

    We will update you with more information on the permanent provision as work progresses.

    Opening times are planned to be the same as last year - 10am to 8pm daily.

    The toilets will be regularly checked and maintained by our Public Conveniences team.

    https://x.com/cllrscottarthur/status/1799133180978511971

    Posted 4 months ago #
  11. chdot
    Admin

    “We have to listen to local businesses and residents. I think the points being made both about loading provision and the safety of people at those bus stops are absolutely spot on, and we have a duty to act to deal with them.”

    https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/edinburgh-roads-changes-at-top-of-leith-walk-as-elm-row-cycle-lanes-relocated-away-from-bus-stop-4669413

    https://x.com/cllrscottarthur/status/1803491703296299414

    Posted 4 months ago #
  12. chdot
    Admin

    This is me arriving back in Edinburgh with 4 of the 5 awards Edinburgh won at #stas24 yesterday evening:

    1 Excellence in Transport Design for the City Centre West to East Link (CCWEL) - CEC & partners

    2 Excellence in Transport Planning for the City Mobility Plan - CEC & partners

    3 Outstanding contribution to the Scottish transport sector - Hannah Ross.

    4 Outstanding contribution to the Scottish transport sector - Daisy Naryanan

    5 Transport Team/Partnership of the Year - @EdinburghTrams

    I am hugely proud of all concerned.

    https://x.com/cllrscottarthur/status/1804063225043927297

    Posted 4 months ago #
  13. Morningsider
    Member

    No city that installed a large gyratory in it centre during the 2020s should even be considered for an "Excellence in transport planning" award. The fact that it won such an award, for a plan the Council has neither the cash nor political will to implement, is doubly bizarre.

    Posted 4 months ago #
  14. LaidBack
    Member

    @morningsider - agreed. Add in the Polwarth Roundabout fiasco for measure. Mind you that faithful reproduction of how residential streets were handled in the past is ideal for Netflix 80s dramas. They will of course happily close a road for filming!

    Posted 4 months ago #
  15. Dave
    Member

    With the government already telling the council that they don't have £40m for a tram business case, yet the city mobility plan requires conservative £1.2bn - £2bn to implement, and on top of that the council is already rowing back on policy implementation that impacts private car use.. seems like the perfect time to give them an award for excellence

    #thisisedinburgh

    Posted 4 months ago #
  16. Dave
    Member

    Who even awards these things, can we appeal?

    Posted 4 months ago #
  17. gembo
    Member

    Just read his leaflet, he describes himself as a Cyborg. This is true,

    Posted 4 months ago #
  18. Murun Buchstansangur
    Member

    Quite often industry awards are based on self-nomination and graded on a well-sounding written submission, without any of it being checked to see if it’s true. The chances of success may be related (whisper it) to how many tables of attendees the nominee buys…

    I’d be quite interested to know if any of the active travel budget was spaffed on the submission or ligging at the ceremony

    Posted 4 months ago #
  19. chdot
    Admin

    But Arthur assures him the council is "trying our best to get the city back on track . . . that's why we have put more money into roads and footpaths."

    He adds: "The stuff about reducing non-essential through traffic in the city centre, that's going to help you guys because more people will be using taxis."
    The two part ways amicably and we turn onto another street as I ask if he will stand down as a councillor if elected.

    "I think I would have to," he says. "I know it's not socially acceptable to say it but I really like being a councillor. Actually if I get elected to stop being a councillor would be a really difficult thing."

    While likely to hold onto Arthur's council seat in Colinton/Fairmilehead - getting the highest number of first preference votes in 2022 - Edinburgh's Labour group would be under pressure to stand someone capable of running the transport committee.

    https://www.edinburghlive.co.uk/news/edinburgh-news/campaign-trail-edinburghs-transport-chief-29459059

    Posted 3 months ago #
  20. chdot
    Admin

    Scott Arthur is elected as MP and is now expected to step down as Edinburgh city councillor (and transport convener). He pays tribute to outgoing MP Joanna Cherry, says her staff have always been “utterly professional”

    He adds: “it is truly humbling to have won”

    Scott Arthur is elected as MP and is now expected to step down as Edinburgh city councillor (and transport convener). He pays tribute to outgoing MP Joanna Cherry, says her staff have always been “utterly professional”

    He adds: “it is truly humbling to have won

    https://x.com/donturvLDR/status/1809073095245709620

    Posted 3 months ago #
  21. toomanybikes
    Member

    Surely his replacement can only be an upgrade. He's an awful troll who has no strategic vision or courage whatsoever.

    Posted 3 months ago #
  22. chdot
    Admin

    Spokes usually tries positive spin…

    Congrats @CllrScottArthur on #GE2024  success!

    And thanks..

    Bold Scotland lead on #PavementParking ban

    Support to #BikeBus & #CargoBikes

    ETRO legalities towards permanentising almost all #SpacesForPeople cycle routes

    #BusLane driving penalties up

    Collegiate Transport Cttee chairing

    https://x.com/spokeslothian/status/1809890295263187255

    Posted 3 months ago #
  23. Dave
    Member

    If we ignore relentlessly lobbying against and revisiting the city's only quiet neighbourhood until it was destroyed at great expense, voting for the destruction of the Silverknowes car-free connection, campaigning and voting against WPL, ensuring that the policy of upgrading streets with pedestrian and cycle infrastructure when they are resurfaced is dropped so £10m a year can be shovelled into car-centric resurfacing work, halfing the effective width of pavements on Viewforth to add extra car parking, delivering huge projects on supposedly strategic active travel routes without any active travel infrastructure whatsoever, putting parking spaces where once bollards protected cyclists on London Rd then claiming it is a big improvement for cyclists, stalling almost all delivery in a quagmire of consultations, etc etc

    Then possibly, maybe, you could find one or two areas where you could mention something he did that wasn't fully awful.

    Posted 3 months ago #
  24. Dave
    Member

    How far back would you have to go to find a worse transport convener, objectively?

    Hinds and Macinnes a huge level above Scott Arthur in terms of delivery, and Mackenzie brought in the funding escalator? I don't remember who was before

    Posted 3 months ago #
  25. jdanielp
    Member

    "Best seat on the @LumoTravel Train to London, to represent the people of Edinburgh South West."

    https://x.com/CllrScottArthur/status/1810016808541302979

    Any signs of him standing down from council/transport convening?

    Posted 3 months ago #
  26. Arellcat
    Moderator

    Hinds and Macinnes a huge level above Scott Arthur in terms of delivery, and Mackenzie brought in the funding escalator? I don't remember who was before

    Phil Wheeler preceded Gordon Mackenzie, for 2007-2009.

    I remember Andrew Burns being the main proponent of the congestion charging debate in about 2005, but I can't remember if he was leader of CEC at that time or Convener of the TEIC/TEC.

    Posted 3 months ago #
  27. Frenchy
    Member

    Burns was leader 2012-2017. Donald Anderson was leader in 2005, but I don't know who was Transport convener then.

    Posted 3 months ago #
  28. chdot
    Admin

    LibDem years had McKenzie who was generally ‘progressive’, think he started 5% for cycling and Wheeler who was probably the worst ever.

    Lazarowicz was in post briefly before becoming an MP…

    Not forgetting Jim Orr. ‘Complicated’. Fell out with his party (SNP).

    Was adamant that (then) plans for cycling on Leith Walk couldn’t be improved. Yes, really could have been worse!!

    Posted 3 months ago #
  29. chdot
    Admin

    "I get a lot of grief for stuff in terms of transport but most of the stuff I get grief for is things agreed before I was convener," cllr Arthur said, "so I'm a wee bit disappointed I'm leaving it before much of what we've agreed or progressed since I've been convener has been delivered."

    https://www.edinburghlive.co.uk/news/edinburgh-news/new-edinburgh-mp-step-down-29499377

    Define “most”…

    Posted 3 months ago #
  30. chdot
    Admin

    It's like the first day at high school: you know some people, the rules aren't clear and you can't help getting lost

    ….

    I also need to focus on perhaps the most important issue – setting up my constituency hub in Edinburgh South West. This is key to supporting local residents and businesses, but it is likely to take several weeks.

    https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/its-like-the-first-day-at-high-school-you-know-some-people-the-rules-arent-clear-and-you-cant-help-getting-lost-4701415

    Posted 3 months ago #

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