Portobello Beach: disabled access project

rapunzell · Post by **rapunzell** » 11 Sep 2006, 15:43

This week begins with some good news; Maureen Child has just given her support to this issue, and Alan McGregor (the Access Officer for CEC) appears to be interested in getting things started too.

JoeM · Post by **JoeM** » 11 Sep 2006, 15:51

rapunzell wrote:I have often been given the impression that Edinburgh forgets that it has at least one beach, but having read through a tourism website checking up on the level of detail they give for disabled access (or not) to the beaches around Edinburgh, I find that Portobello beach isn't listed. Not an absence of access or detail; I mean a complete absence of village and beach at all!

Look to see if you can find Portobello: http://www.edinburgh.org/beaches/

Crammond, Gullane, Yellowcraigs and Aberlady are listed - but Porty has apparently vanished into the sea fog : )

Well done for pointing that out. After contacting them they very quickly amended their oversight and inserted a nice wee piece about our wonderful beach.

rapunzell · Post by **rapunzell** » 12 Sep 2006, 16:06

I'm glad we have re-appeared from the tourist limbo

We now have Lawrence Marshall on board as well, so this week is shaping up well!

I'm now hoping to get a manufacturing contact for the recycled plastic paths Aberdeen Council used up at Balmedie in case they might be of any use here.

rapunzell · Post by **rapunzell** » 19 Sep 2006, 14:30

Everything is happening quietly in the background at the moment; editors considering whether to print the press release, meetings are being arranged and the project news is spreading mainly by word of mouth.

I still haven't heard back from the two of the main contacts for the actual pathways (recycled rubber and recycled plastic), and so have no way of arranging a trial or getting even the basic cost per metre. There are plenty of US contacts, but I'd like to feel that we were supporting local businesses!

Thanks to the Forestry Commission and the SNH we do have their non-slip wooden walkway expertise and sources to hand, but we do need all three types in order to be able to fully explore the possibilities along this beach. Every path will be a trial path until it fails, succeeds or is moved along a bit for another shot, and the same goes for every kind of path. It is going to be a very intereactive project.

I wonder if local builders will give quotes on concrete and a bit of manpower for basic ramp alterations? They don't need to be specialist builders, and the recommended gradient does have some leeway. I suppose the CEC council just ask for quotes anyway, or maybe have their favourites/ regulars.

I have some more photos now - will just go and check how to post them

rapunzell · Post by **rapunzell** » 19 Sep 2006, 21:43

Here are some photos by Duncan Priddle (East Lothian Council Rangers) of the construction at Yellowcraig dunes:

Poppy · Post by **Poppy** » 20 Sep 2006, 14:20

Fame at last!!

Or at least a write up in tonight's EN!!

rapunzell · Post by **rapunzell** » 20 Sep 2006, 16:26

Poppy wrote:Fame at last!!

Or at least a write up in tonight's EN!!

Fantastic! Thanks for spotting that Poppy - I had no idea they were going to use it after they changed their minds last week. I see they say I 'claim' to have support; there's suspicion for you!

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 20 Sep 2006, 16:42

Great to get some much-needed publicity. Shame we didn't get the full page we were promised, particularly as we had plenty of high-profile supporters lined up with quotes, but it didn't help that Jane Bradley (who was to have written up the story) got promoted to the Business section. I haven't seen the paper copy - did they include a photo?

rapunzell · Post by **rapunzell** » 20 Sep 2006, 16:55

Bob Jefferson wrote:Great to get some much-needed publicity. Shame we didn't get the full page we were promised, particularly as we had plenty of high-profile supporters lined up with quotes, but it didn't help that Jane Bradley (who was to have written up the story) got promoted to the Business section. I haven't seen the paper copy - did they include a photo?

Isn't it odd they ran with it in that way? They could have had a selection of councillors to confirm that it was being supported if they doubted it. No idea if they used a photo; I've just texted my neighbour to ask her to bring a paper home

rapunzell · Post by **rapunzell** » 20 Sep 2006, 17:24

The second photo illustrates a nearby ramp that can be used with help, but that stops abruptly in sand. Easing the gradient would lengthen it a little and continuing it onto a pathway along the wall would be somewhere to sit comfortably on the beach, and enable a person to get off the beach again! Unfortunately that photo also shows the scruffier part of the seaside scenery so I've begun with a shot of the sea and one of the highest tides this year

rapunzell · Post by **rapunzell** » 21 Sep 2006, 13:40

Have you seen the second comment on the online Evening news article?!

Wheelchair access aside, I wonder what makes that man imagine that all people with wheelchairs or walking canes etc don't have jobs or careers? (including far more important jobs with much more responsibility than his own, perhaps...)

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 21 Sep 2006, 13:59

Yep, just reported as unsuitable.

rapunzell · Post by **rapunzell** » 21 Sep 2006, 14:11

I think he is entitled to air his views, though I don't know the criteria for manners on Evening News online.

I didn't try to explain things to him through the comments option as he didn't seem like the sort of person who could take on information. He's making himself look stupid, which might actually be quite useful.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 21 Sep 2006, 16:12

Comment now removed.

rapunzell · Post by **rapunzell** » 21 Sep 2006, 23:07

Bob Jefferson wrote:Comment now removed.

Aw, I'd hoped they'd leave him on so he could be re-educated by a whole load of tax-paying wheelchair users..

rapunzell · Post by **rapunzell** » 22 Sep 2006, 13:31

Here is a photo of the kind of non-slip wooden boardwalk surfaces the Forestry Commission uses, demonstrated here used in a treetop pathway.

Thank you to Dr Geoff Freedman, Head of Design at Forestry Civil Engineering for the use of this photo. (I'm keen to see more - I had no idea these sorts of things were being constructed around Scotland!)

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 22 Sep 2006, 13:46

Landmark Forest Theme Park by Carrbridge has a aerial path through the trees, which is great fun Rapunzell.

impossiblevoices · Post by **impossiblevoices** » 23 Sep 2006, 10:35

Rapunzell - I haven't read the whole of this thread, so sorry if I am repeating anothers comments already, but have you thought about getting in touch with Jonathon, who is heading up the bid for the sailing project at the bottom of bath street? I would think that they will need some way of getting boats etc down to the shore line. This may be a good opportunity to do a bit of a double whammy!

Just an idea...

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 23 Sep 2006, 10:41

Excellent! The cross-fertilisation of ideas. The forum at its best. Poisoning the community? I don't think so.

Denise · Post by **Denise** » 23 Sep 2006, 13:48

oh yeah!

Largo bay sailing club used to have rubber mats from the car park to the hard sand (below high tide mark) for wheeling dinghies down on trailers. I'll try to make some enquiries there too.
D

rapunzell · Post by **rapunzell** » 23 Sep 2006, 17:23

I'd emailed the man within minutes of reading about it on the forum on Friday night!

I think we might share a few of the logistical challenges but
also much potential

I've just been sitting on my doorstep watching the yachts sail past, looking forward to being able to hire a wee boat, and feeling inspired by Largo Bay's problem-solving mats! (thanks Denise!)

Denise · Post by **Denise** » 23 Sep 2006, 18:17

according to a reliable Largo source the mats were old conveyor belts from a coal mine. Kind of fabric weave with rubber and stapled together at the seams. They've now installed a more permanent slip way. Maybe there would be a source of old conveyor belts around (Factory? recycling plant? Scotmid checkout?!

) as a short term solution or even long term as it's flexible and not too difficult to install!
I'll have a think. Would probably suit dinghies and wheel chairs too.

Izzie · Post by **Izzie** » 23 Sep 2006, 20:59

I have just come back from another swimming gala and spoke to lots of mums with kids in wheelchairs they all said it would be great to get the kids in the sea so I think it will be a very busy path as all the kids would use it.

We also came home with another medal

rapunzell · Post by **rapunzell** » 24 Sep 2006, 16:11

Izzie wrote:I have just come back from another swimming gala and spoke to lots of mums with kids in wheelchairs they all said it would be great to get the kids in the sea so I think it will be a very busy path as all the kids would use it.

We also came home with another medal

Congratulations!! K will be needing a lot of wall space to display all her trophies now

rapunzell · Post by **rapunzell** » 25 Sep 2006, 15:39

Does anyone know exactly how many beach entrances there are along
the promenade? The maps/plans only feature the larger ones (which makes me wonder if some of the smaller quirky ones were just added by Porty residents when no-one was looking)

Also, does the CEC have the final say on alterations to ramps and beach wall entrances? I mean, should they hold a public meeting, can they just go ahead as routine work, or is it our responsibility to choose where to point them? Their protocol seems to vary.

It seems to be a completely different department from the Access Office who are now interested in us, but the 'Edinburgh Boardwalk' project from earlier this year included proposed alterations to the promenade, though
not specifics, more conceptual. It sounded like a very design and consultancy-heavy project featuring all of Edinburgh's coastline, and I haven't been able to find out what, if anything, has begun (and where they've begun it)

We would also overlap with the 'beach refreshment' agenda. This is one of the things they call bringing in new sand and trying to keep it in place ie currently closing up the beach wall over the winter to avoid backflow. (I
can verify that the Bath St entrance was still blocked up in May as I have photos of folk sitting along it during the Rebus shoot..)

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 26 Sep 2006, 17:30

From Maureen Child's latest newsletter:

Beach Improvements - Including Access

This issue has been raised by a number of Portobello residents, not least through the excellent community web site, a thread of discussion on Portobello Matters.

Local resident and wheelchair user, Morag Edwards, has done a power of good work on this already, for which we should all be very grateful. As a result, I recently had a meeting with a new senior manager in services for communities, Andrea McHugh and Councillors Bob Cairns (Council Executive Member for Environment) and Lawrence Marshall about this and other Promenade and seaside issues.

Andrea is going to gather up all those issues people have raised with us - about dog fouling, toilet and shower provision and beach access for wheelchairs and dogs and rusted railings and so on - do the necessary research and compile an options report for the Council Executive. On the basis of the best available information, the Council can decide what to do to improve the whole beach experience in the short to medium term.

rapunzell · Post by **rapunzell** » 26 Sep 2006, 17:37

If all goes to plan, then Alan McGregor, the CEC Access Officer, and Phil Clarke, the Technical Officer for the Paths for All Partnership will be coming down to look at some of the beach entrances tomorrow afternoon!

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 26 Sep 2006, 17:40

You're doing a great job. Go Mo!

rapunzell · Post by **rapunzell** » 26 Sep 2006, 18:45

Bob Jefferson wrote:You're doing a great job. Go Mo!

Thanks! I suspect it's going to rain heavily though..

rapunzell · Post by **rapunzell** » 27 Sep 2006, 20:19

Well, it didn't rain! I met Alan McGregor (CEC Access Officer) and Phil Clarke (Technical Officer, Paths for All Partnership) on the prom this afternoon and we had a very constructive and positive discussion!

It looks as though we've established where we are heading next and how best to get there. Apparently there will have to be a council audit of the prom entrances and a *lot* of paperwork and inter-departmental applications and meetings before ramp alterations can begin unfortunately, but the good news is that there should be more funding available in the end.

Phil has already been working on pathway construction designs and is going to have it made up. We can then install the first two trial sections and watch what happens to them. It is unlikely that beach maintenance can be increased much, but it is possible that pathway check-ups can be incorporated into exisiting routine maintenance. That is one of the things that will come up as the council discusses it. The pathway trials can begin before the ramps are altered, but at ramps that are the least steep.

The other thing that Alan is looking into is how to ensure that the entrances are not completely blocked over the winter, especially as the concrete blocks may arrive at any moment and just be arranged the same way as last year unless he intervenes.

I think that's almost everything for now!

Here's a photo of what else was happening on the beach this afternoon:

bearcub · Post by **bearcub** » 27 Sep 2006, 21:38

rapunzell wrote:

This is what was going on...

St Judes Infirmary video

Great song...which was *cough* featured on my recent RFP playlist.

Edit:

Just noticed the thread about the filming

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 27 Sep 2006, 21:53

Bravo Rapunzell!

OK so it may take longer than we'd like, but it all sounds so positive. I spoke to Izzie at the CC meeting on Monday and I can just imagine how she will greet your news!

Well done you!

rapunzell · Post by **rapunzell** » 28 Sep 2006, 20:27

Thanks!

Alan McGregor has been in touch to say he's talked to the head of City Development (the department responsible for the integrity of the sea wall) Those guys are about to begin a large survey of the sea wall regarding its function as a sea defence and sand perimeter, and we should try to attach a survey of the sea wall gaps as access points in themselves to that. Then, when they begin repairs and alterations they have to incorporate access needs too.

This department is also responsible for the beach wall blockades over the winter, so in the meantime Alan is trying to ensure they leave gaps for beach access. They have agreed in principle, but sand containment seems to be their only interest, and the construction crew may just put the blocks in the same place in usual, or leave gaps in unhelpful places, in which case we've to report it and get them to change it.

rapunzell · Post by **rapunzell** » 02 Oct 2006, 13:07

I emailed Andrew Holmes, the Director of City Developments the other day after reading 'North West Portobello Master Plan - Study Framework' and he replied today to say he'd passed on my concerns to the people working on the project.

I hope they make the amendments to the plan; access isn't an extra for afters like choosing where to put litter bins. If it isn't at the front of the designers' minds it won't be in their heads at all.. I know most of Edinburgh is off limits as it is old and full of stairs, and that can't be helped, but when it comes to designing new things, especially public areas, they should make a bit of an effort to do it properly.

Izzie · Post by **Izzie** » 02 Oct 2006, 15:02

What a work you are putting into this Morag

K has not been to well these last few days and had a stay in the hospital

She has told everyone about this and the kids started to call it Morag's Path

Then they started to make plans for the opening off the pathway.Wheelchair races to the water and then a big BBQ at the water.

I think they wanted the BBQ in the water until one bright spark told them you can't light a fire in the water but

We can all dream though

You are making kids dreams come true Morag,thanks from alot off people

Talk Porty ~ Portobello

Portobello Beach: disabled access project

Missing beach

Update on a sunny day

Yellowcraig boardwalk construction