Mark McLaughlin
Edinburgh Evening News
June 1, 2009
IT TOOK decades of campaigning by a community too terrified to use crime-ridden underpasses to get a surface crossing approved - but now they could be set to get two.
Just months after the first pelican crossing to provide access to Napier University's new Sighthill Campus was approved for Calder Road, transport chiefs are poised to consider proposals for a second surface crossing half a mile up the road.
Edinburgh Council has put recommendations to place crossing number two outside Parkhead shops, at the eastern end of Calder Road, to the Transport, Infrastructure and Environment Committee for consideration later in the summer.
The crossing will provide an alternative to the notorious underpasses, which could also be set to benefit from heightened security measures ranging from new lighting to CCTV cameras.
Local councillor Nick Elliot-Cannon, who presented the proposals to the council last week, said: "We want the committee to look at the options, and see whether it would be feasible to have a surface crossing that would get around the issue of the underpasses.
"The problem with underpasses is that you have to go down a ramp or stairs before you can see who's in there, and given some of the incidents we've had there, we would like surface crossings.
"The committee will now look at the practicalities of that."
The underpasses have been plagued by muggers, drug users and anti-social behaviour for decades.
The last year alone has seen assaults on two frail pensioners, a knifepoint robbery of a pregnant mother-of-two and a host of other muggings.
Criminal activity in the area has been much lower in recent months, with the area benefiting from more CCTV coverage and an increased police presence.
In addition to the new crossings, The South West Neighbourhood Partnership has proposed a series of short to long-term solutions for dealing with the underpass problem, ranging from improved lighting, mirrors and additional CCTV cameras through to their eventual replacement with level crossings or bridges.
Betty Milton, chairwoman of Sighthill, Broomhouse and Parkhead Community Council, said she was delighted to hear that a second crossing may be on the horizon.
She said: "It's fantastic news. I've been fighting for these crossings for so many years I've lost count. It will make a lot of elderly people very happy, and many young people who are also too scared to go down there.
"I'm so chuffed that we could be set to have not only one, but two alternatives to using the underpasses in future."
Showing posts with label Calder Underpass Campaign. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Calder Underpass Campaign. Show all posts
Monday, 19 October 2009
NEWS: Calder Crossing Approved
Mark McLaughlin
Edinburgh Evening News
February 13, 2009
A SOLUTION is in sight for residents left too terrified to use a series of underpasses beneath a busy dual carriageway.
A new pedestrian crossing is set to be installed on Calder Road as part of a new traffic light-controlled junction leading to Napier University's Sighthill campus now under construction.
It will mean residents will no longer have to risk using the underpasses on Calder Road, which have a long history of muggings, assaults, drug use and anti-social behaviour.
At least 26 serious crimes happened in the space of just three-and-a-half months last year, including assaults on two frail pensioners and a knifepoint robbery on a pregnant mother-of-two. Only a third of these crimes were solved.
As part of the planning application approved by councillors last October, Napier University agreed to pay GBP 150,000 to the city council towards the creation of a new junction between Sighthill Court and Calder Road.
This will allow vehicles approaching from the east to access the campus without needing to use the Bankhead roundabout, which suffers from rush-hour delays.
The junction will also allow buses to travel through both the Napier campus and nearby Stevenson College.
Members of the South West Neighbourhood Partnership heard from Sighthill, Broomhouse and Parkhead Community Council secretary Keith Bell that talks were under way about including a crossing as part of the plans.
Mr Bell said: "Napier University put the proposals for the new junction forward independently but we have been in discussions with them about the pelican crossing as this fits in with our aims to provide an alternative to the underpasses.
"People at the further ends of Calder Road, near the exit to the bypass and close to the prison, already have traffic lights in place that allow them to cross but there is a long middle section where people have no options.
"The people coming from the north of Calder Road to use the Parkhead and Sighthill shops are the ones who suffer the most because they have no option but to use the underpasses or risk their life crossing Calder Road itself, which many choose to do rather than face the underpasses."
He added: "It has never been our intention to close the underpasses as for many people they are a valuable utility, but we feel people should have the choice whether they wish to use them or not."
A city council spokesman confirmed that a new crossing has been approved for the junction.
He added: "There has been a great deal of lobbying from the local neighbourhood partnership and the police for an above-ground crossing for some time."
Local councillor Joanna Coleman said: "The new lights will make crossing safer for students and members of the local community alike."
Edinburgh Evening News
February 13, 2009
A SOLUTION is in sight for residents left too terrified to use a series of underpasses beneath a busy dual carriageway.
A new pedestrian crossing is set to be installed on Calder Road as part of a new traffic light-controlled junction leading to Napier University's Sighthill campus now under construction.
It will mean residents will no longer have to risk using the underpasses on Calder Road, which have a long history of muggings, assaults, drug use and anti-social behaviour.
At least 26 serious crimes happened in the space of just three-and-a-half months last year, including assaults on two frail pensioners and a knifepoint robbery on a pregnant mother-of-two. Only a third of these crimes were solved.
As part of the planning application approved by councillors last October, Napier University agreed to pay GBP 150,000 to the city council towards the creation of a new junction between Sighthill Court and Calder Road.
This will allow vehicles approaching from the east to access the campus without needing to use the Bankhead roundabout, which suffers from rush-hour delays.
The junction will also allow buses to travel through both the Napier campus and nearby Stevenson College.
Members of the South West Neighbourhood Partnership heard from Sighthill, Broomhouse and Parkhead Community Council secretary Keith Bell that talks were under way about including a crossing as part of the plans.
Mr Bell said: "Napier University put the proposals for the new junction forward independently but we have been in discussions with them about the pelican crossing as this fits in with our aims to provide an alternative to the underpasses.
"People at the further ends of Calder Road, near the exit to the bypass and close to the prison, already have traffic lights in place that allow them to cross but there is a long middle section where people have no options.
"The people coming from the north of Calder Road to use the Parkhead and Sighthill shops are the ones who suffer the most because they have no option but to use the underpasses or risk their life crossing Calder Road itself, which many choose to do rather than face the underpasses."
He added: "It has never been our intention to close the underpasses as for many people they are a valuable utility, but we feel people should have the choice whether they wish to use them or not."
A city council spokesman confirmed that a new crossing has been approved for the junction.
He added: "There has been a great deal of lobbying from the local neighbourhood partnership and the police for an above-ground crossing for some time."
Local councillor Joanna Coleman said: "The new lights will make crossing safer for students and members of the local community alike."
NEWS: Calder Crossing Campaign Ramps Up
By Mark McLaughlin
Edinburgh Evening News
November 24, 2008
A CAMPAIGN is set to be launched to install pelican crossings across a busy dual carriageway after a series of attacks left residents too scared to use the underpasses.
More than 80 residents of Sighthill, Broomhouse and Parkhead have come together to demand action on the Calder Road underpasses, which have been the scene of numerous attacks, robberies and drug-related crimes.
Many elderly residents no longer walk through the underpasses, meaning they are cut off from shops, health services and the post office.
Others prefer to brave crossing the road.
After a public meeting earlier this week, the community council has now come to an agreement to press for two new pelican crossings at the Parkhead and Sighthill shops.
Elizabeth MacDonald, 57, pictured right, a wheelchair-user from Calder Gardens, has gathered a 400-name petition calling for the crossings. She said: "Around a fifth of the people I spoke to while signing the petition said they'd been the victim of some form of attack in the underpasses over the years."
Betty Milton, chairwoman of Sighthill, Broomhouse and Parkhead Community Council, told the meeting: "I know old people who get on the bus on the north carriageway and take it all the way to Riccarton and back round to get to the other side of Calder Road, especially in the dark."
The meeting also heard from a teacher at Murrayburn Primary School who told how her children were "absolutely terrified" to go near the underpasses.
The decision to close Westburn Primary in Wester Hailes and disperse the children to either Murrayburn, Sighthill or Canal View primaries is also set to increase the number of young children using the underpasses.
Almost half the people who attended the meeting said they preferred to brave the busy dual-carriageway - which is also pedestrian accident hotspot - while around a dozen said they would make the half-an-hour round trip on the bus.
The Evening News reported earlier this year that 26 serious crimes had occurred in the space of just three-and-a-half months. Only a third of these crimes went on to be solved.
The city council's transport leader Cllr Phil Wheeler said: "We consider all requests from councillors and members of the public for the installation of pedestrian crossings - basing our decision on a number of factors, including volume of traffic, frequency of accidents and, of course, public safety."
Edinburgh Evening News
November 24, 2008
A CAMPAIGN is set to be launched to install pelican crossings across a busy dual carriageway after a series of attacks left residents too scared to use the underpasses.
More than 80 residents of Sighthill, Broomhouse and Parkhead have come together to demand action on the Calder Road underpasses, which have been the scene of numerous attacks, robberies and drug-related crimes.
Many elderly residents no longer walk through the underpasses, meaning they are cut off from shops, health services and the post office.
Others prefer to brave crossing the road.
After a public meeting earlier this week, the community council has now come to an agreement to press for two new pelican crossings at the Parkhead and Sighthill shops.
Elizabeth MacDonald, 57, pictured right, a wheelchair-user from Calder Gardens, has gathered a 400-name petition calling for the crossings. She said: "Around a fifth of the people I spoke to while signing the petition said they'd been the victim of some form of attack in the underpasses over the years."
Betty Milton, chairwoman of Sighthill, Broomhouse and Parkhead Community Council, told the meeting: "I know old people who get on the bus on the north carriageway and take it all the way to Riccarton and back round to get to the other side of Calder Road, especially in the dark."
The meeting also heard from a teacher at Murrayburn Primary School who told how her children were "absolutely terrified" to go near the underpasses.
The decision to close Westburn Primary in Wester Hailes and disperse the children to either Murrayburn, Sighthill or Canal View primaries is also set to increase the number of young children using the underpasses.
Almost half the people who attended the meeting said they preferred to brave the busy dual-carriageway - which is also pedestrian accident hotspot - while around a dozen said they would make the half-an-hour round trip on the bus.
The Evening News reported earlier this year that 26 serious crimes had occurred in the space of just three-and-a-half months. Only a third of these crimes went on to be solved.
The city council's transport leader Cllr Phil Wheeler said: "We consider all requests from councillors and members of the public for the installation of pedestrian crossings - basing our decision on a number of factors, including volume of traffic, frequency of accidents and, of course, public safety."
Sunday, 18 October 2009
NEWS: Underworld
Mark McLaughlin
Edinburgh Evening News
July 31, 2008
POLICE have upped patrols and installed CCTV at a series of underpasses which have been the scene of ten violent attacks in the past year.
Members of the public say they are terrified to go near the six pedestrian walkways on Calder Road, Sighthill, after a string of incidents, including assaults on two frail pensioners and a knifepoint robbery on a pregnant mother-of-two.
Some residents are even risking their lives by crossing the busy dual carriageway rather than using the tunnels.
Keith Bell, secretary of the Sighthill, Broomhouse and Parkhead Community Council, said police had failed to allay concerns and called for the underpasses to be closed.
He said: "Our own chairwoman won't go near the underpasses and she's not the only one. The 77-year-old that was attacked last month is now a virtual recluse."
The woman suffered a broken pelvis and elbow after being robbed at the underpass in June.
A warrant has been issued for the arrest of an 18-year-old man in connection with the attack following a CCTV appeal by police.
Meanwhile, 69-year-old Mary Hall, who fended off an attacker at the Longstone Road underpass in February, now refuses to go near the road.
Inspector Andrew Gilhooley recently wrote to residents after concerns were raised at a local community partnership meeting in May.
He said: "A problem profile has been carried out on the number and types of incidents that have occurred in and around the six underpasses that traverse the Calder Road, covering from Calder View to Saughton Road. The result of this is that 15 incidents are recorded over the past calendar year.
"These figures are broken down to ten incidents involving violence and five of antisocial behaviour. In direct response to the incident at Sighthill, high-visibility patrols have been carried out aimed at public reassurance and CCTV cameras installed.
"Police are committed to tackling all crime, particularly violent crime in a robust manner in all our communities."
Edinburgh Evening News
July 31, 2008
POLICE have upped patrols and installed CCTV at a series of underpasses which have been the scene of ten violent attacks in the past year.
Members of the public say they are terrified to go near the six pedestrian walkways on Calder Road, Sighthill, after a string of incidents, including assaults on two frail pensioners and a knifepoint robbery on a pregnant mother-of-two.
Some residents are even risking their lives by crossing the busy dual carriageway rather than using the tunnels.
Keith Bell, secretary of the Sighthill, Broomhouse and Parkhead Community Council, said police had failed to allay concerns and called for the underpasses to be closed.
He said: "Our own chairwoman won't go near the underpasses and she's not the only one. The 77-year-old that was attacked last month is now a virtual recluse."
The woman suffered a broken pelvis and elbow after being robbed at the underpass in June.
A warrant has been issued for the arrest of an 18-year-old man in connection with the attack following a CCTV appeal by police.
Meanwhile, 69-year-old Mary Hall, who fended off an attacker at the Longstone Road underpass in February, now refuses to go near the road.
Inspector Andrew Gilhooley recently wrote to residents after concerns were raised at a local community partnership meeting in May.
He said: "A problem profile has been carried out on the number and types of incidents that have occurred in and around the six underpasses that traverse the Calder Road, covering from Calder View to Saughton Road. The result of this is that 15 incidents are recorded over the past calendar year.
"These figures are broken down to ten incidents involving violence and five of antisocial behaviour. In direct response to the incident at Sighthill, high-visibility patrols have been carried out aimed at public reassurance and CCTV cameras installed.
"Police are committed to tackling all crime, particularly violent crime in a robust manner in all our communities."
NEWS: Great Granny
UPDATE: October 2009
This article is notable as the start of a campaign to get an alternative above ground crossing on Calder Road. Because of sustained pressure, and a further litany of crimes, Edinburgh Council is set to install two new pelican crossings.
By Mark McLaughlin
Edinburgh Evening News
14 February 2008
A GREAT grandma has told how she fought off a mugger in a city underpass.
Mary Hall, of Saughton Mains Park, was pounced on by a woman 50 years her junior in the subway in Calder Road.
But the great-grandmother, who is 69 and stands about 5ft tall, refused to hand over her handbag to the 5ft 10in attacker.
Mrs Hall was making her way to see her GP for a check-up on a shoulder injury caused in a fall three weeks ago when the mugger struck on Tuesday at 10.30am.
The fall chipped her shoulder and left her in extreme pain, but despite her injury, the plucky pensioner managed to hold on to her handbag.
The mugger reached in, but only escaped with a packet of cigarettes.
Mrs Hall said: "She was a big lassie and she could have flattened me if she was really desperate.
"I have no idea where she came from. I was walking through the underpass, and unusually there was nobody around at that time of day.
"I didn't hear her coming but the next thing I knew I was being tackled from behind and she was trying to wrestle my handbag from my arm.
"I grabbed a hold of it and told her she'd be getting nothing from me.
"I don't carry much money anyway, and there's nothing else of value in there, but I wasn't going to let her get away with it."
It is the second time the pensioner has been attacked in the area, after being tripped and robbed by a man nine years ago.
She added: "I barely recovered from that, and I can't believe it's happened to me again.
"When I got to my doctors I could barely speak. I told the receptionist what happened and the doctor came out to see me right away. He took me into his office and I just sat and cried for ages.
"When I got home, I was still in shock, and my daughter had to come and spend the night with me because I couldn't sleep.
"Every time I shut my eyes I could feel my arm jerking as though the girl was trying to take my bag again. I'm never going near those underpasses again. I don't know how I'll manage because all of the bus stops and shops are at the other side of Calder Road, but at least I've got my family around."
This incident is the second reported mugging on Calder Road this week.
Officers were yet to speak to Mrs Hall when the Evening News visited her yesterday, but the matter has been reported to the police.
Mrs Hall described the woman as being in her early-20s, heavily-built, with mousy-brown curly hair tied back from her head. She was wearing a royal-blue jacket with white cuffs.
This article is notable as the start of a campaign to get an alternative above ground crossing on Calder Road. Because of sustained pressure, and a further litany of crimes, Edinburgh Council is set to install two new pelican crossings.
By Mark McLaughlin
Edinburgh Evening News
14 February 2008
A GREAT grandma has told how she fought off a mugger in a city underpass.
Mary Hall, of Saughton Mains Park, was pounced on by a woman 50 years her junior in the subway in Calder Road.
But the great-grandmother, who is 69 and stands about 5ft tall, refused to hand over her handbag to the 5ft 10in attacker.
Mrs Hall was making her way to see her GP for a check-up on a shoulder injury caused in a fall three weeks ago when the mugger struck on Tuesday at 10.30am.
The fall chipped her shoulder and left her in extreme pain, but despite her injury, the plucky pensioner managed to hold on to her handbag.
The mugger reached in, but only escaped with a packet of cigarettes.
Mrs Hall said: "She was a big lassie and she could have flattened me if she was really desperate.
"I have no idea where she came from. I was walking through the underpass, and unusually there was nobody around at that time of day.
"I didn't hear her coming but the next thing I knew I was being tackled from behind and she was trying to wrestle my handbag from my arm.
"I grabbed a hold of it and told her she'd be getting nothing from me.
"I don't carry much money anyway, and there's nothing else of value in there, but I wasn't going to let her get away with it."
It is the second time the pensioner has been attacked in the area, after being tripped and robbed by a man nine years ago.
She added: "I barely recovered from that, and I can't believe it's happened to me again.
"When I got to my doctors I could barely speak. I told the receptionist what happened and the doctor came out to see me right away. He took me into his office and I just sat and cried for ages.
"When I got home, I was still in shock, and my daughter had to come and spend the night with me because I couldn't sleep.
"Every time I shut my eyes I could feel my arm jerking as though the girl was trying to take my bag again. I'm never going near those underpasses again. I don't know how I'll manage because all of the bus stops and shops are at the other side of Calder Road, but at least I've got my family around."
This incident is the second reported mugging on Calder Road this week.
Officers were yet to speak to Mrs Hall when the Evening News visited her yesterday, but the matter has been reported to the police.
Mrs Hall described the woman as being in her early-20s, heavily-built, with mousy-brown curly hair tied back from her head. She was wearing a royal-blue jacket with white cuffs.
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