Housebuilder Cruden is set to start work on a mix of 49 affordable properties in Livingston, on behalf of Link Group Ltd. The £8.7m development will see energy-efficient new homes built on a previously disused 1.2 hectare, brownfield site in Craigshill.

The modern development will provide a range of sustainable flats, built across three blocks, which will be three and four storeys high. The one and two bedroomed homes will provide residents with high quality accommodation for social rental.

Located at Sydney Street, the vibrant development is ideally positioned, close to a number of amenities in the heart of Craigshill, including shops, health centres and schools. The new development also has excellent transport links to its surrounding communities and the nearby train stations at Livingston and Uphall offer easy access to Edinburgh and Glasgow city centres.

The new homes also provide a fantastic range of on-site facilities including attractive green space, electric vehicle charging points, bike storage and on-site parking.

Work will start this Autumn and is expected to complete in Summer 2025.

Fraser Lynes, Managing Director of Cruden Homes, said: “We are pleased to continue our successful relationship with Link as work gets underway at Sydney Street. This exciting development will transform a previously empty site to bring quality, new homes to the local area.

“Craigshill is a strong location with plenty of amenities nearby to cater to the everyday needs of residents. These new homes will make a great addition to the surrounding community, providing attractive and sustainable living space at a time when it is needed most.”

Colin Culross, Group Commercial Director of Link Group, said: “Link is delighted to continue its partnership with Cruden Homes to deliver much needed affordable housing at Sydney Street. The new homes will be energy efficient delivering zero emissions heating systems which assists with our sustainability journey towards net zero, a key focus for Link.”

Meadowbank Sports Centre is delighted to have entered into an agreement with Leith Athletic Football Club and their coaching partner, Technical Edge, to deliver football coaching.

From 1 September 2023, Leith Athletic who work closely with their partner and preferred supplier, Technical Edge will be taking over delivering the existing classes held on a Wednesday and Thursday at Meadowbank Sports Centre. There will be no change to the time, duration, or location of the weekly football sessions at Meadowbank Sports Centre. Longer term it is hoped to grow the coaching programme on Mondays to Fridays at Meadowbank, between 4:00 and 6:00pm.

Donald Goldsmith, Manager at Meadowbank Sports Centre said: “Following the success of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia, there has been a renewed interest and enthusiasm for more coaching opportunities in the beautiful game for both boys and girls. Like many organisations, there have been recruitment challenges and the lack of available football coaches was limiting the EL development programme at Meadowbank.
“This joint venture is an exciting development and will provide greater opportunities for junior football coaching at Meadowbank and the wider community. Leith Athletic FC has a long history with Meadowbank and a great reputation for children’s football pathways.

“All 36 children across five classes in the Edinburgh Leisure football coaching programme at Meadowbank will have the option to transfer to the new coaching arrangement. The 500 children active on Leith Athletics programme, will move to Meadowbank for their coaching, providing access to high quality 3G pitches, suitable changing facilities, and the opportunity to bring the training inside if it’s raining.”

As Leith Athletic FC and Technical Edge will be fully responsible for delivering the new football coaching programme at Meadowbank, all enquiries regarding their programme, contact:

Liam Burns at Technical Edge – liam_technicaledge@outlook.com –
For bookings, enrolment and coach feedback

Leighton Jones at Leith Athletic FC – leighton.jones@leithathleticfc.com –
General enquiries

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo also looks ahead to 2024’s Show Journeys with tickets on sale now.

After an immensely successful 2023 run with Show Stories, this year’s Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo has now officially come to an end.

Starring over 800 international performers and engaging over 200,000 audience members, with only a handful of tickets unsold across the run, this year’s Show has proven to be one of the Tattoo’s most successful to date thanks to continued partnerships and a loyal customer base.

The loyalty of its valued customer base; the continued support from the Festival Edinburgh partners, plus a wider collaboration with many of the city’s stakeholders has all contributed to a successful August for the Edinburgh event.

The Tattoo’s emphatic run was all set against the challenging backdrop of navigating the Cost-of-Living crisis, for both the business and audiences, while also recovering from the ongoing challenges of reduced income during the Covid pandemic, as it delivered its second year of the Tattoo’s bold new brand proposition, Performance in a New Light.

The continued investment and enhanced offering of the Tattoo, including a variety of new hospitality packages and experiences, coupled with the ongoing support from its official supporters including Presenting Partner, Innis & Gunn, has also allowed the Tattoo to continue to grow, evolve and diversify as a business.

International performers from across the globe – including Norway, Switzerland, Trinidad & Tobago, the USA, and homegrown talent from around the UK – dazzled and delighted audiences with performances ranging from Highland dance, fire breathing, to marches performed to tunes from contemporary video games, all underpinned with the strong military heritage and precision that the Tattoo has made its celebrated name on.

In a Royal Air Force lead year, the Tattoo hosted seven flypasts during the August run, which included the RAF Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows, taking to the skies above Edinburgh Castle.

With the triumphant conclusion of the 2023 Show Stories, the Tattoo team is already getting set to lead audiences onto the next performance with Journeys. The 2024 Show will transport audiences on an international cultural journey, bringing together the voices and stories that connect the cast, audiences, and cultures of the Tattoo. Tickets for Journeys are now on sale, with the first 25,000 tickets available at 2023 prices.

Jason Barrett, Chief Operating Officer of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, said: “The success of this year’s Tattoo is measured in many ways but nowhere more so than in the faces and genuine emotion expressed by those who attended.  Stories was the Tattoo’s latest atmospheric spectacular enjoyed by almost a quarter of a million people, illuminating on Edinburgh Castle and filling the capital city’s August nights with the skirl of the massed pipes and drums. We couldn’t be prouder of the team for yet another great performance.”  

“But as one chapter closes, another begins, and the team has already embarked on planning next year’s Show, Journeys. Tickets for the 2024 Show, Journeys are on sale from today (28 August 2023), and we are delighted to offer the first 25,000 tickets secured at 2023 prices to ensure as many people as possible get to experience watching the Tattoo live. Book now – you won’t want to miss it.”

Journeys will run from 2-24 August 2024, and as always, will feature the military at the heart of the showcase. Audiences can expect the magnificent sounds of the Massed Pipes and Drums filling up the Esplanade alongside performances from the incredibly talented Tattoo Pipes and Drums and Tattoo Dancers. International acts will join the 2024 line up bringing new cultures and vibrancy to this sought-after spectacle. Further details about Journeys will be announced in the coming months.

Tickets are on sale now for the 2024 performance and can be purchased at edintattoo.co.uk/tickets or on the phone on 0131 225 1188.

A celebratory reception to mark the One City Trust’s (OCT) 20th Anniversary was held on Friday evening (August 25) at the City Chambers.

The event, hosted by the Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh and President of the One City Trust, Robert Aldridge, showcased the work of the Trust in the past two decades, and looked ahead to the challenges of the future. The Trust was established in 2003 in response to the One City report of the Lord Provost’s Commission on Social Exclusion. It engages the idea of a ‘community foundation’ to give people and organisations a means to reach across the divides of the city and support those who are excluded from the community. A permanent endowment was established with a donation from the City of Edinburgh Council, which the Trust has added to over the years, and continues to build. In 2012 with the creation of the ‘Lord Provost’s Rapid Action Fund’ the Trust acquired the ability to raise funds specifically for the purpose of administering grants to projects and organisations across the city. The evening began with an exhibition of the Trust’s archive, showcasing historic documents, photos, and other objects. This was followed by speeches and roundtable discussions focussed on the Trust’s work since 2003 in the context of the two poverty commissions which have reported on the situation in Edinburgh. The celebratory reception concluded events with a keynote speech from the Lord Provost and President of the OCT, followed by a short film on the Trust’s work and a musical accompaniment. The One City Trust is seeking donations to continue its work fighting poverty, inequality, and social exclusion in Edinburgh. Donations can be made online via the Trust’s webpage. The Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh and President of the One City Trust, Robert Aldridge said: “I am immensely proud of the work that the One City Trust has undertaken in the last twenty years. To date, we have delivered over £1.3m of grants to 265 projects across the Capital whilst promoting community benefits and social value amongst our city’s business and private sector community. I have no doubt that these efforts have made a positive difference to the lives of our residents. Over the years we have been able to support organisations doing truly amazing work across our communities. From Edinburgh Interfaith Association breaking down cultural barriers, to Fresh Start Pantry providing low-cost nutritious and healthy food to tackle holiday hunger for vulnerable families during school holidays, to the Edinburgh School Uniform Bank making sure our schoolchildren are properly clothed, I continue to be inspired by the ways in which the Capital’s community groups look out for one another in these difficult times. This truly reflects the very best qualities of the individuals who make up our city. “Unfortunately, we still face major challenges in the areas of poverty, inequality, and social exclusion across the city. The pandemic also cast these into sharp light and made us consider how we could reach and help our citizens in different ways. Now, perhaps more than ever, the One City Trust and the organisations it supports are key to supporting our communities as we move forward. I would encourage anyone reading this to consider the ways that they can contribute whether that be through donations, community benefit partnerships, volunteering or spreading the word of the Trust and its affiliates. “As Lord Provost my duty is first and foremost to the people of Edinburgh and I am committed to helping them in any way that I am able. I look forward to seeing the One City Trust continue its work in the next twenty years and beyond, and it is my sincere hope that we will be able to make a strong and lasting difference for our most vulnerable residents.” Irvine Welsh, celebrated Edinburgh author, and Ambassador of the One City Trust said: “I’ve been involved with the One City Trust for almost two decades. Edinburgh and the wider world have undergone significant changes in this period, resulting in poverty, inequality, and social exclusion becoming even more acute. “Edinburgh is a city blighted by geographical inequality, great wealth and abject poverty coexisting side by side. This wealth and international acclaim that the city commands does not translate to many communities who have been left behind in an era characterised by public austerity and private profit, and at the expense of key public services. This tale of two cities that is played out not just in Edinburgh but across the country. “This is obviously something that is in dire need of rebalancing. In the meantime, ventures like the One City Trust continue to strive to offer a way for individuals in adverse socioeconomic conditions to find a way to express themselves through arts and culture. This in turn can give them the confidence to articulate their individual needs, those of their communities and consequently inspire them to go about meeting them. “I am proud to support the One City Trust and I hope that in the next twenty years it will continue to inspire people to question the world we find ourselves in, and to take the necessary action to fight poverty, inequality and social exclusion here in the capital of Scotland.” Sir Ian Rankin, celebrated Edinburgh author, and Ambassador of the One City Trust said: “It has been an honour as well as a pleasure to have been associated with One City Trust for the past twenty years. “It continues to do valuable work in Edinburgh’s local and underprivileged communities – here’s to the next twenty years!”

UK top 50 and leading Scottish law firm Brodies LLP has received double honours at the Scottish Business Insider Deals and Dealmakers awards 2023. The firm was named legal advisor of the year and received the award for diversity and inclusion.

The honours were presented on Thursday night (24 August 2023) at a prestigious ceremony at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Glasgow. Now in its 25^th year, the Deals and Dealmakers awards acknowledge and reward excellence in corporate financial transactions.

Brodies was recognised for its exceptional performance and reputation for high quality legal services and delivering exceptional value to clients that “lead the way in Scottish dealmaking”. In relation to diversity and inclusion – the first time this category has been included in the Deals and Dealmakers awards – the firm was commended for fostering an empowering work culture, where colleagues are valued and diversity is celebrated.

Brodies managing partner, Nick Scott, said: “Reflecting on the awards we have received, I must thank our clients for continuing to trust us with their instructions. We take confidence from their ambition, and are encouraged that many clients have been able to see opportunity and act on that. We look forward to continuing to work with, and support, them on their deals and transactions.

“To be recognised in the inclusion and diversity category is testament to the commitment of all our colleagues to foster an inclusive workplace, increase the diversity of our workforce and create safe places for people with difference. We will continue to shape our plans and policies with high regard to the areas of diversity that matter to them.”

The British Chambers of Commerce has called for an integrated national plan from government on transport infrastructure, focused on at least the next 20 years. 

In written evidence to the Transport Select Committee, the BCC said weaknesses in the current system are creating barriers for business, hindering growth, and slowing down the progress towards Net-Zero. 

The committee has launched an inquiry into the government’s strategic transport objectives.

Using feedback from its unique network of 53 chambers across the UK, the BCC told MPs any transport plan must include the following:

• Efficient road and rail access to international gateways that are essential to enable international trade.
• Increased reliability, capacity, and connectivity in passenger rail services. including the delivery of the full HS2 network and affordable, flexible fares and ticketing.
• More investment in local bus and public transport services.

Jane Gratton, Deputy Director of Public Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce said:

“An effective transport network will underpin economic growth in the years to come. We want to see a clear plan from government, which will help the businesses we represent grow.

“Central government should lead on major national infrastructure planning and delivery, like HS2. However, for regional infrastructure, funding and decision making should be devolved.

“Businesses tell our chamber network that transport policy from Westminster has been very patchy and unclear. We need an intergrated transport infrastructure plan that can bring real benefits to every region.”

STV Studios was named Production Group of the Year at the prestigious Edinburgh TV Festival Awards on Thursday night (24 August).

The win follows an exciting year for the production group, which continues to scale rapidly. Responsible for shows such as Antiques Road Trip and Bridge of Lies for BBC One, prison drama Screw for Channel 4, cop series Blue Lights for BBC One, Celebrity Catchphrase for ITV, Criminal Record for Apple TV+ and The Yorkshire Auction House for Really – STV Studios has an ambitious strategy to become the UK’s number 1 nations and regions producer. The group is also committed to providing an inclusive culture where everyone involved in its shows is treated fairly and supported to grow professionally.

David Mortimer, MD of STV Studios, said: “We’re so thrilled to receive this award and to be recognised during what has been a transformational year for STV Studios. The talented teams across our nine different labels have produced thousands of hours of must-see content this year, and to be named Production Group of the Year – amongst such esteemed competition – is testament to all their hard work.

 

“All of the shows we’ve celebrated this year are only a success thanks to our amazing freelance community – it’s a really difficult time for them in particular right now and, as an industry, we should be doing everything we can to support our freelance talent pool.”

In July 2023, STV Studios announced the acquisition of Greenbird Media, which has significantly increased the number of production labels at STV Studios, more than trebled the business’s portfolio of returning series and expanded its forward pipeline of new programme ideas.

Lothian announced on Friday 25 August that it has recorded over 100,000 ‘taps’ in one day using its capped contactless payment method, ‘TapTapCap’.

The contactless system, which Lothian introduced in 2019, reached the milestone for the first time on Friday 18 August, fourteen days in to the Edinburgh Festival season, which traditionally sees the population of the city increase in size.

Throughout August, customers have been ‘tapping’ their bank cards or mobile devices to pay for travel across Lothian’s services, leading to faster boarding times during the busiest period for services in the city.

Sarah Boyd, Managing Director, Lothian said: “I’m thrilled that our TapTapCap system has reached this incredible milestone of over 100 thousand taps in just one day. Our buses continue to be a popular method of public transport for residents and visitors to our city during the festival, and this achievement is testament to the amazing work of our people across the business during the extremely busy month of August.

“Our contactless payment system has been a real success story for Lothian since its introduction and we look forward to breaking even more records in the future.”

Councillor Scott Arthur, Transport and Environment Convener, said: “Making travel by bus as easy as possible is key to encouraging travel by reliable, sustainable public transport.

“Lothian’s TapTapCap payment method does just that, as well as speeding up journeys, and it’s clear that lots of people want to pay that way. It’s fantastic that we’re seeing so many people choose Lothian’s excellent service this festival season.

“I know that those 100,000 trips will have been made by people who represent the full diversity of Edinburgh residents. Indeed, Lothian’s broad appeal and first class staff is why it is part of what defines Edinburgh, and why I was so proud that they won the Excellence in Transport Accessibility category at the 2023 Scottish Transport Awards.”

The capped contactless system is provided by ticketing technology specialist Flowbird, and allows customers to ‘cap’ their journeys at the cost of a discounted adult day ticket after their third tap of the day, using the same bank card or mobile device.

David Thompson, Managing Director of Flowbird’s transport division in the UK added: “It’s amazing to see that so many people at this year’s festival are taking advantage of the convenience of open payments and the benefits of fare capping. Not only does it remove the need to understand fares and carry cash, visitors have the freedom to explore the city safe in the knowledge that the fare system flexes with them. This is ideal for encouraging Edinburgh’s international and domestic visitors to use the bus network.”

The bus operator’s open payment method for customers was an instant success, smashing through one million taps within a month of its introduction in 2019. It averages over 80k journey taps per day, and has logged over 5.4 million unique users in over four years of operation. In 2021, Lothian introduced ‘Weekly Capping’ for contactless users, offering unlimited travel during the week once the fare cap had been triggered.

• First 18 metre tall pier completed for the two 1,400 metre long Water Orton Viaducts in Wawrickshire
• Innovative ‘match-casting’ construction method will be used to build the viaducts, which are part of HS2’s complex Delta Junction over existing roads and rivers

Balfour Beatty VINCI has completed the first of 32 giant piers for the first Water Orton Viaduct as work ramps up to build the Delta Junction, HS2’s most complex network of structures in the West Midlands.

Balfour Beatty VINCI, HS2’s main works contractor for the West Midlands, is building the 1,400 metre long northbound and southbound structures, which will connect HS2’s Birmingham Curzon Street Station with Crewe and Manchester.

They are part of the Delta Junction, which is a triangular section of the high-speed railway made up of 9 precast segmental viaducts, embankments, and other bridging structures, with around 10km of track crossing a network of motorways, roads and rivers.

Reaching 20 metres tall at its highest point, the two Water Orton Viaducts will be amongst the tallest structures along the HS2 route, taking trains over key transport corridors including the M42, the Birmingham to Peterborough rail line and the River Tame.

The pier was built in situ with a bespoke formwork designed specifically for the project, and with a fully prefabricated reinforcement cage, assembled in the rebar factory located near Coleshill.

The piers will support the deck, which will be built using an innovative construction method and bespoke machinery. The deck segments will be produced at HS2’s nearby outdoor purpose-built Kingsbury factory near Lea Marston. The factory is making a total of 2,742 segments for the entire Delta Junction, generating over 6km of post tensioned viaduct. The segments will be transported to site using haul roads to reduce HS2’s impacts on local roads.

To reduce environmental impacts, engineers have incorporated Ground Granulated Blast-furnace Slag (GGBS) – a by-product of the steel manufacturing industry – into the structures as an eco-friendly concrete alternative to a traditional concrete mix, reducing carbon use by more than 60%.

David Waite, Construction Director at Balfour Beatty VINCI said: “Witnessing the removal of the shuttering to reveal the first completed pier for Water Orton Viaduct was an important occasion for the 1,100 people who make up the Delta workforce.

“With the production line at the Kingsbury pre-cast factory now in full swing, we will start to see the viaduct take shape over the coming months, with the first span due to be completed early next year.”

Sam Hinkley, HS2 Senior Project Manager for Delta Junction said: “This is another key moment for HS2 in the West Midlands as work ramps up on one of the most complex sections of the whole route. The Delta Junction is HS2’s key interchange where the new zero-carbon high speed railway will connect between London, the Midlands and the North.

“Minimising disruption to local communities in this area has been a key consideration in our planning, including the use of innovative pre-cast construction techniques, and haul roads to take lorries off local roads.”

After the piers are constructed, the viaduct spans will be built by raising each segment from a temporary suspension tower erected on top of each pier. When each span is complete, the suspension tower will be disassembled and moved further along the viaduct to build the next span.

An innovative ‘match-casting’ technique means that each viaduct segment is cast against the following segment in a production line, creating a seamless viaduct deck when installed. Each segment is uniquely precise and adjustable by as little as 5mm. This approach – where each segment is poured against the previous one – ensures the whole arch fits perfectly when assembled on site.

Once built, the area underneath the viaduct will be landscaped to provide a connected and accessible area with tree planting, new wildlife habitats, footpaths and cycle routes.

 

The cobbled streets of Edinburgh have been brought to life by the colour and vibrancy of The Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force Steel Orchestra.

The Orchestra are creating a carnival atmosphere each night with their performances at The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and did the same at Victoria Street, wowing passersby with their spectacular outfits.

Set against the colour of the iconic Edinburgh street, the performers gave locals and tourists alike a glimpse of the colour of their performance at this year’s Tattoo Show, Stories.

The Tattoo is running until 26 August 2023 and tickets can be purchased at edintattoo.co.uk, on the phone on 0131 225 1188 or in person at the Tattoo Box Office at 1 Cockburn Street, Edinburgh.