This is a message from Spokes to emailable members known to work in health, together with members living in a wide area around and on the approaches to the new Infirmary. If not relevant to you, please just delete this. *** URGENT - CONSULTATION ON RELOCATION OF ROYAL HOSPITAL FOR SICK KIDS TO LITTLE FRANCE SITE [EXHIBITIONS APR 28-30 AND MAY 4] NHS Lothian is soon applying for planning permission to build the new RHSC on a site at Little France adjacent to the Royal Infirmary. Before finalising their planning application they are holding a public consultation, which consists of website and a series of public information drop-by events. The consultation covers everything to do with the new hospital and its move, including issues of transport/access. You may well wish to comment on cycle access to the site - particularly the infamous STEPPED-PATH linking the site to the Innocent railway, and the conditions on OLD DALKEITH ROAD. As far as we know there has still been no progress in the negotiations on replacing the stepped path. The Council is upgrading the route beyond that, from Craigmillar Castle Road to the Innocent Railway, including a traffic-light-controlled crossing of Niddrie Mains Road [this may be underway or complete already], so the NRIE access track/steps will be the only hindrance to an excellent safe route. Regarding Old Dalkeith Road, as you may remember, the council already plans considerable improvements to the cycle lanes - details are on the Spokes website at http://www.spokes.org.uk/wordpress/downloads/members-campaigning/edinburgh/royal-infirmary/. Bike parking is also an issue, although it should be easier to get good provision than on the question of access. Another point is cycle access within the site to the new building, whether you are coming from OD Road, or from the Craigmillar path, or from elsewhere. CONSULTATION WEBSITE The RHSC consultation website is at... http://www.nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk/hospitals/rhsc/default.asp EXHIBITIONS... Details of the exhibitions are here... http://www.nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk/hospitals/rhsc/news/default.asp Some of the exhibitions are already passed, but the remaining ones are... Wed 28 April, Craigmillar Library, 1300 – 1900 Thurs 29 April, Western General Hospital – Anne Ferguson building reception, 0900 – 1300 Fri 30 April, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh – main mall, 1000 – 1700 Tues 4 May, Royal Edinburgh Hospital – Mackinnon House, 0900 – 1300 IT IS IMPORTANT TO MAKE WRITTEN COMMENTS... You can do that at the exhibitions, or you can complete the feedback form from the above web page, or you can email direct to RHSC.reprovision@luht.scot.nhs.uk. Comments must be in by 17 MAY AT THE LATEST. Even if you cannot attend the exhibitions, please submit comments if this is relevant to you. Please note that your comments are to the developers, not to the council. Once a planning application is submitted, probably in a few months time, you can comment further on that - so it might be useful to keep a copy of comments you make now, in case you need to repeat them if the planning application is unsatisfactory! You may wish to remind the developers of the new Scottish Government 'Scottish Planning Policy' document, which councils are meant to follow when making planning decisions. It is at www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2010/02/03132605. It has many useful quotes, such as [in para 169] ... “Cycle routes and, where relevant, cycle parking and storage should be safeguarded and enhanced wherever possible.” and “Opportunities for personal travel should be prioritised by mode in the following order – walking, cycling, public transport, car and other motorised vehicles” "Accessibility issues ... should be part of the design and planning processes from the outset." Spokes would be pleased to have a copy of any comments you make. With thanks Dave du Feu for Spokes