Morningsider
@morningsider.bsky.social
Transport, planning, and built environment - mainly Edinburgh and Scotland.
Also, these over-specified schemes are never well maintained. Just look at Rose Street or the High Street - pock marked with the cheapest black-top patches after utility company repairs.
November 11, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Also, these over-specified schemes are never well maintained. Just look at Rose Street or the High Street - pock marked with the cheapest black-top patches after utility company repairs.
I've been ranting about the gold-plating of active travel schemes in Edinburgh for years. How much smaller is our network due to the cost of granite paviours and hand laid setts? Places like Copenhagen use robust, cheap materials almost everywhere, which can be installed by machine.
November 11, 2025 at 7:37 PM
I've been ranting about the gold-plating of active travel schemes in Edinburgh for years. How much smaller is our network due to the cost of granite paviours and hand laid setts? Places like Copenhagen use robust, cheap materials almost everywhere, which can be installed by machine.
Sorry, been busy. I don't have a contact at Forth Ports - I suppose you would just have to start with the contact web form: www.forthports.co.uk/our-ports/le...
Leith (Edinburgh) | Forth Ports
Forth Ports Leith is Scotland's largest enclosed deep-water port with a capability of handling vessels up to 50,000DWT. With direct access to Edinburgh.
www.forthports.co.uk
November 6, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Sorry, been busy. I don't have a contact at Forth Ports - I suppose you would just have to start with the contact web form: www.forthports.co.uk/our-ports/le...
I mean, I suspect they will do hee-haw if you report it but they are the right people to contact.
November 6, 2025 at 2:01 PM
I mean, I suspect they will do hee-haw if you report it but they are the right people to contact.
Forth Ports are the responsible authority. This would be a "Tier 1" incident that requires a local response, as set out in their "Clearwater Forth Oil Spill Contingency Plan". See www.forthports.co.uk/wp-content/u...
www.forthports.co.uk
November 6, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Forth Ports are the responsible authority. This would be a "Tier 1" incident that requires a local response, as set out in their "Clearwater Forth Oil Spill Contingency Plan". See www.forthports.co.uk/wp-content/u...
This is a few years old now, but probably worth four minutes of your time: spice-spotlight.scot/2020/02/18/t...
The A9 dualling project – crucial for Scotland?
An overview of the economic and road safety impact of the project to dual the single carriageway sections of the A9 trunk road between Perth and Inverness.
spice-spotlight.scot
September 16, 2025 at 5:26 PM
This is a few years old now, but probably worth four minutes of your time: spice-spotlight.scot/2020/02/18/t...
The problem is that all those BPF projects cost far more than £20m to build. I suspect several individual projects will cost far more than that each. All Councils can afford to do is upgrade bus shelters, tweak traffic lights, and add to their project wish lists.
September 11, 2025 at 1:09 PM
The problem is that all those BPF projects cost far more than £20m to build. I suspect several individual projects will cost far more than that each. All Councils can afford to do is upgrade bus shelters, tweak traffic lights, and add to their project wish lists.
£10m has been split between 32 Councils, with Councils having to bid for some of the other £10m. Wonder how much of the first £10m will be spent preparing bids to get a bit of the other £10m, in the hope of having enough cash to do something useful?
September 11, 2025 at 8:00 AM
£10m has been split between 32 Councils, with Councils having to bid for some of the other £10m. Wonder how much of the first £10m will be spent preparing bids to get a bit of the other £10m, in the hope of having enough cash to do something useful?
Permitted development rights were changed in 2024 to allow for window replacement in conservation areas without the need for planning permission (subject to a few conditions). The real issue in Edinburgh is that this exemption does not apply in a World Heritage Site-see www.gov.scot/publications...
Planning circular 2/2024: non-domestic permitted development rights
Scottish Government guidance on non-domestic permitted development rights (PDR). It explains what works people can carry out without an application for planning permission.
www.gov.scot
September 10, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Permitted development rights were changed in 2024 to allow for window replacement in conservation areas without the need for planning permission (subject to a few conditions). The real issue in Edinburgh is that this exemption does not apply in a World Heritage Site-see www.gov.scot/publications...
Perhaps the Councillor could read this post on what it really takes to reduce driving: spice-spotlight.scot/2025/08/26/d...
September 3, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Perhaps the Councillor could read this post on what it really takes to reduce driving: spice-spotlight.scot/2025/08/26/d...
Scottish Road Works Register has this listed as works by SP Energy Networks. Due to last 25 days.
August 19, 2025 at 9:59 AM
Scottish Road Works Register has this listed as works by SP Energy Networks. Due to last 25 days.
So, just a misunderstanding of "statistics" and the basis of "friendship" then!
August 13, 2025 at 2:58 PM
So, just a misunderstanding of "statistics" and the basis of "friendship" then!
Right wing commentator class getting a bit worried? "Would all you nice middle class types please compromise your principles so I can feel good about my racism, and stop having to go to meetings in flat roofed pubs where the only wine available is of the "tonic" variety?"
August 13, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Right wing commentator class getting a bit worried? "Would all you nice middle class types please compromise your principles so I can feel good about my racism, and stop having to go to meetings in flat roofed pubs where the only wine available is of the "tonic" variety?"
Screwfix are owned by Kingfisher - which also owns B&Q.
August 11, 2025 at 9:28 PM
Screwfix are owned by Kingfisher - which also owns B&Q.
Buses funded under ScotZEB2 are bought by private sector middle men and leased to operators (ala rail Rolling Stock Leasing Companies). Also, this "reopening" of the fund is a bit more hazy than it first appears, see: www.route-one.net/news/scotzeb...
ScotZEB2 reopened with up to £40 million for Rock Road-led bid - routeone
Up to £40m has been allocated to reopening the second round of the Scottish Zero Emission Bus challenge fund (ScotZEB2).
www.route-one.net
August 11, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Buses funded under ScotZEB2 are bought by private sector middle men and leased to operators (ala rail Rolling Stock Leasing Companies). Also, this "reopening" of the fund is a bit more hazy than it first appears, see: www.route-one.net/news/scotzeb...
How about: www.broughtons.com/store/produc...
Aston Door Stop & Holder Floor Mounted Polished Brass Unlacquered
Aston Door Stop & Holder Floor Mounted Polished Brass Unlacquered: A high quality British made floor mounted door stop & holder with sprung loaded
www.broughtons.com
August 4, 2025 at 6:35 PM
How about: www.broughtons.com/store/produc...
As I 'previously' commented on the citycyclingedinburgh forum "Looks pretty good - my only gripe is that construction isn't due to start until early 2016!"
How times flies...
How times flies...
July 31, 2025 at 3:08 PM
As I 'previously' commented on the citycyclingedinburgh forum "Looks pretty good - my only gripe is that construction isn't due to start until early 2016!"
How times flies...
How times flies...
Surely at least an honourable mention for flat bed scaffolding wagons! Usually accompanied by clouds of dope smoke.
July 23, 2025 at 12:56 PM
Surely at least an honourable mention for flat bed scaffolding wagons! Usually accompanied by clouds of dope smoke.
An opinion expressed by a transport consultant speaking at a Scottish Tory party conference fringe event no less! Surprisingly, no word on where the annual payment of tens of millions of pounds to the private financiers would come from - apparently it would be "innovative" though, which is nice .
July 8, 2025 at 3:14 PM
An opinion expressed by a transport consultant speaking at a Scottish Tory party conference fringe event no less! Surprisingly, no word on where the annual payment of tens of millions of pounds to the private financiers would come from - apparently it would be "innovative" though, which is nice .
I'm afraid to report that the 'dreaming about implementation ' consultation has been delayed indefinitely. Unfortunately, no such dreaming can take place at present.
July 4, 2025 at 5:38 PM
I'm afraid to report that the 'dreaming about implementation ' consultation has been delayed indefinitely. Unfortunately, no such dreaming can take place at present.
...and about to get worse, when the Council remove the Braid estate traffic filters.
June 24, 2025 at 1:35 PM
...and about to get worse, when the Council remove the Braid estate traffic filters.
"Autonomous" buses are possibly one of the daftest transport ideas going, as from the view of a passenger every bus is already self driving. The fact that buses are driven by a well trained fellow human is seen as a plus point by almost everyone - apart from tech bros.
June 23, 2025 at 1:53 PM
"Autonomous" buses are possibly one of the daftest transport ideas going, as from the view of a passenger every bus is already self driving. The fact that buses are driven by a well trained fellow human is seen as a plus point by almost everyone - apart from tech bros.
The pavement Hostile Vehicle Mitigation measures (and stone slabs) add about £15m to the cost of the scheme! Seems nuts as I'm sure a terrorist would notice there are other busy pavements in Edinburgh.
June 18, 2025 at 3:10 PM
The pavement Hostile Vehicle Mitigation measures (and stone slabs) add about £15m to the cost of the scheme! Seems nuts as I'm sure a terrorist would notice there are other busy pavements in Edinburgh.
Even ignoring externalities, you are replacing a source that costs money (coal, gas, oil) with one that doesn't (wind, sun, water).
June 12, 2025 at 10:39 AM
Even ignoring externalities, you are replacing a source that costs money (coal, gas, oil) with one that doesn't (wind, sun, water).