Edinburgh council to review winter readiness in Balerno

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Edinburgh city council is to look again at priorities for snow and ice clearance in the city’s semi-rural communities which sit on the fringe of the Pentland Hills.

Transport and environment convener Stephen Jenkinson responded to complaints from constituents, the community council in Balerno - and his own mother - after problems in the village during a recent cold spell.

He told this month’s meeting of the transport and environment committee: “Balerno had a really tough time. Essentially days of deep snow and heavy frost.

People take a walk through the snow in the Pentland Hills, Balerno.People take a walk through the snow in the Pentland Hills, Balerno.
People take a walk through the snow in the Pentland Hills, Balerno. | Andrew Milligan/PA Wire

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“Whilst I know officers worked tirelessly and often through the night to try and clear the roads and pavement of Balerno they were up against it.”

He added: “My own mum sent me a text message complaining about the state of the roads and pavements in Balerno and demanding that as transport convener I do something about it.”

He added, to laughter: “So my mum has made me table this motion to committee, and all conveners should listen to their mums.”

Cllr Jenkinson said: “Given the experience of the residents, I’m keen that we look again to see if there’s anything that can be done to improve things.

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“We also need to consider there are areas of the city where heavy snow and a deep frost has a greater impact. Balerno is the highest village in the city boundary; it does take a hit.”

Morningside Conservative councillor Marie-Clair Munro raised an amendment on behalf of a fellow Conservative from Fairmilehead suggesting that Colinton and Fairmilehead also be included in the review because they too sit at a higher elevation than the rest of the Capital.

Councillor Jenkinson was happy to accept and the committee agreed.

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