CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Infrastructure

W.O.L. path well and truly closed at Dean Village

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  1. chdot
    Admin

    Posted 4 years ago #
  2. ejstubbs
    Member

    The relevant planning application was 05/01247/FUL. Permission was granted in February 2006. This Streetview photo indicates that work was under way in August 2008. The movement of the bank above the WoL appears to significantly post-date that work.

    The drawings and map which form part of that planning application clearly mark the bank below the new house as "land belonging to CEC". The references in the WOL Conservation Trust updates about the path closure to "the appointed engineers of the home owner" and the involvement of the council's legal team do make it look as if CEC are trying to establish that the owners of the new property should be liable for the cost of stabilisation of the ground and repairing the path. As acsimpson remarked, in the aftermath of the compulsory repairs scandal - and in the current climate of severe budgetary constraints - CEC is probably reluctant to pay for the work up front and hope to be able to charge it back to the house owner.

    (On a side note, WRT the Ian Johnston piece: the words that he quotes come from the 2016 update on the WoL Conservation Trust web site. As I listed previously, there have been at least two updates posted on that web site since then. One might have expected him to have dug just a little further before launching in to print...)

    Posted 4 years ago #
  3. ejstubbs
    Member

    Perusing the WOL Trust's blog just now I noticed that they did post an update about the landslip back in January:

    Dean landslip

    • The Council (“CEC”) has raised legal proceedings against a number of parties in respect of the landslip at the Dean Path
    • Before steps can be taken to reopen the path, the causes of the slippage require to be identified and measures to prevent further slippage implemented
    • Public safety and future amenity of the area remain paramount
    • CEC have authorised the use of funds to jointly meet the cost of specialist engineers to design and provide costings for the retaining works
    Update:

    Technical experts appointed by CEC and other parties respectively have now identified potential engineering solutions
    Legal proceedings remain paused while parties explore resolution
    Discussions are on-going with a view to agreeing these between CEC and the neighbouring owner(s)

    Which sounds a little more promising than their last update in 2019.

    On the minus side, though, I note that the footbridge linking Hawthornbank Lane and Damside is now closed "due to safety concerns", with options for repairs not being investigated until "after the Covid-19 crisis" (however that will be determined).

    Add to that the two footbridges closed in Colinton Dell, and the path closure near Fords Road, and one could begin to get the impression that the WoL as both a recreational and a transport amenity for the city is being allowed to lapse in to a state of creeping decay...

    Posted 3 years ago #
  4. gembo
    Member

    Pretty strong repairs over time from baleerno down to the Dell

    Currently being slagged for fixing coltbridge

    Ooh ye can nae win

    Posted 3 years ago #
  5. CycleAlex
    Member

    Now, a solution has been reached and the City of Edinburgh Council will soon begin the restoration work needed to reopen the path.

    Culture and Communities Convener Councillor Donald Wilson said: “We are delighted to have been able to reach a solution for the reinstatement of this part of the Dean Path along the Water of Leith.

    “Its restoration will return a key section of our off-road paths network which I know will be welcomed by the many people who enjoy using it – including myself for running - particularly during this difficult time.

    “We are now progressing design and technical plans and will get to work as soon as possible, in line with national guidance on construction.”

    https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/people/work-begin-fix-dean-path-water-leith-after-over-four-years-closure-2903109

    Posted 3 years ago #
  6. ejstubbs
    Member

    I wonder whether the 'delight' is because the other party admitted liability?

    Posted 3 years ago #
  7. chdot
    Admin

    It is anticipated that the on-site time for the construction work will span approximately 26 weeks, starting in May, leading to a hopeful completion date around the end of October 2021.

    https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/lifestyle/outdoors/stunning-edinburgh-riverside-walkway-will-reopen-after-delays-over-repair-work-3192645

    Posted 3 years ago #
  8. chdot
    Admin

    No idea when work started, but it seems to have -

    Posted 2 years ago #

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