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Edinburgh Reporter
06-05-2025
- General
- Edinburgh Reporter
Councillor calls for canal graffiti prevention
Graffiti and vandalism along the Union Canal in Edinburgh is damaging its historical value and enjoyability, a local councillor has warned. Conservative councillor Neil Cuthbert has put forward a motion to the next full Edinburgh Council meeting calling for action to improve upkeep of the 203 year old waterway. Cuthbert wants to see collaboration between the council, Scottish Canals and Historic Environment Scotland to develop an action plan to 'protect and restore' the route's 'built heritage'. In his motion, he writes: 'Portions of the canal corridor, in common with other parts of historic Edinburgh, are increasingly affected by graffiti and vandalism, which detract from its historical significance, visual amenity, and recreational value for residents and visitors.' Most of the graffiti and vandalism takes place between Kingsknowe and Fountainbridge, where much of the canal route is along Georgian-era bridges and viaducts that carry it over streets, railways and the Water of Leith. The canal starts at sea level in Falkirk, and travels 51 kilometres to its end in Fountainbridge, with most of its route sitting at 73 metres above sea level. Canal boats looking to traverse the waterway climb most of the height difference between the waterway and sea level through the Falkirk Wheel, a massive rotary boat lift built in 2002. Most of the route from Falkirk through to Edinburgh has a walkway adjacent to the canal, which was historically used as a towpath for horses pulling barges. On Twitter/X, he wrote: 'I've submitted a motion to Edinburgh Council to protect the Union Canal's historic built heritage from graffiti and vandalism. 'As a Scheduled Ancient Monument, this Georgian engineering marvel deserves better protection.' In his post, he also says he was writing to Scottish Canals and Historic Environment Scotland ahead of the 8 May council meeting where the motion will be discussed. His motion asks the council to investigate how other councils and government bodies handle preventing graffiti along historic waterways 'while respecting the heritage value of the structures'. Further, it asks the council to spend more money on tackling the graffiti problem, and improve public education about the history of the canal to encourage 'community stewardship' of it. Finally, it asks that the city place specific 'heritage protection' measures into the next update of the city's strategy for the canal. By Joseph Sullivan Local Democracy Reporter Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Live
06-05-2025
- General
- Edinburgh Live
Calls to protect Edinburgh's Union Canal from damaging graffiti
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Graffiti and vandalism along the Union Canal in Edinburgh is damaging its historical value and enjoyability, a local councillor has warned. Conservative councillor Neil Cuthbert has put forward a motion to the next full Edinburgh Council meeting calling for action to improve upkeep of the 203 year old waterway. Cuthbert wants to see collaboration between the council, Scottish Canals and Historic Environment Scotland to develop an action plan to 'protect and restore' the route's 'built heritage'. In his motion, he writes: 'Portions of the canal corridor, in common with other parts of historic Edinburgh, are increasingly affected by graffiti and vandalism, which detract from its historical significance, visual amenity, and recreational value for residents and visitors.' Most of the graffiti and vandalism takes place between Kingsknowe and Fountainbridge, where much of the canal route is along Georgian-era bridges and viaducts that carry it over streets, railways and the Water of Leith. The canal starts at sea level in Falkirk, and travels 51 kilometres to its end in Fountainbridge, with most of its route sitting at 73 metres above sea level. Canal boats looking to traverse the waterway climb most of the height difference between the waterway and sea level through the Falkirk Wheel, a massive rotary boat lift built in 2002. Most of the route from Falkirk through to Edinburgh has a walkway adjacent to the canal, which was historically used as a towpath for horses pulling barges. On Twitter/X, he wrote: 'I've submitted a motion to Edinburgh Council to protect the Union Canal's historic built heritage from graffiti and vandalism. 'As a Scheduled Ancient Monument, this Georgian engineering marvel deserves better protection.' In his post, he also says he was writing to Scottish Canals and Historic Environment Scotland ahead of the 8 May council meeting where the motion will be discussed. His motion asks the council to investigate how other councils and government bodies handle preventing graffiti along historic waterways 'while respecting the heritage value of the structures'. Further, it asks the council to spend more money on tackling the graffiti problem, and improve public education about the history of the canal to encourage 'community stewardship' of it. Finally, it asks that the city place specific 'heritage protection' measures into the next update of the city's strategy for the canal. Cuthbert's motion will be discussed at the next full meeting of Edinburgh Council on Thursday, 8 May, which you can view here.
Metro
05-05-2025
- Business
- Metro
How a 128-year-old pub has survived a £570,000,000 train station upgrade
It's the last of three 19th Century pubs left standing in the vicinity of a sprawling HS2 building site. The construction work to build the Curzon Street intercity terminus in Birmingham is so close to the 128-year-old Woodman that the barriers are now just 10ft from its side wall. The 'backstreet boozer' is hemmed in on three sides by the £570 million project and stands as an island in the development area. Originally opened in 1897, the pub seemed to have served its last pint three years ago as it closed with the owners citing pressures including the 'encroaching' HS2 works. Yet the ale is still following at the Woodman. A reprieve came when pub restoration specialists Union Inns stepped in and reopened the Victorian-era premises at the end of last year after a 'sensitive' £300,000 refurbishment. Supervisor Garry Bird told Metro: 'They wanted to pull us down, but we're a Grade-II listed building. 'They found they couldn't touch us, and we've since become a weird stakeholder in it all. If HS2 want to do anything around here now, they have to get our permission. 'There were two pubs nearby which were pulled down because they weren't protected to be part of the development, but we've survived. 'We're even in the projections of how HS2 is supposed to look and we'll eventually have the depot behind us and shops and a hotel nearby. 'We're like the movie Up, where the man refuses to move out.' The Woodman is the last of three pubs in close proximity to survive. Fellow Victorian pub Eagle and Tun, where UB40 shot the video for their Red Red Wine hit, and the derelict, Georgian-era Fox and Grapes have been pulled down to make way for the infrastructure project. The sole survivor is now flush on the boundary of the project and due to a road closure as part of the works is 'totally segregated' from Digbeth, an independent nightlife hotspot, Mr Bird said. A redundant traffic light at the side of the pub is a sign of the upheaval. On the other side is the original Curzon Street railway station, a Grade I- listed building opened in 1838 which HS2 has said will be restored. The Woodman's own history will be reflected in the 'enhanced setting' facing the pub, according to plans for the site. 'We're classed as Digbeth and because of HS2 closing down the road you won't get from here to there now,' Mr Bird explained. 'You'll have to walk all the way round past Moor Street or vice versa. 'At the minute we're totally segregated from Digbeth. 'They change their minds every five minutes as to what's going on, it's a bit of a pain.' But the pub worker believes that the red brick and terracotta pub will be part of a bustling area once the bullet trains begin running between the station and London, possibly in around eight years' time. 'It's a heritage pub with a rich history and the only pub in Birmingham to serve Bass, because the owner is a massive enthusiast,' he said. 'When it got refurbished it was stripped back to the original tiles and the old floors which were part of the original Grade II-listed building. 'We get a lot people who come back and say it's great to see us open again because it's opened and closed a few times over the years. 'The owner has got the pub for at least 25 years and he loves this place, so the pub will still be around when all of the HS2 work is completed in eight to nine years. He's 100% behind it. When HS2 eventually happens we'll be right on their doorstep. 'It should help the area because it will bring a lot of people to this end of the city, other than to the university and to the ThinkTank museum. The Woodman is described as a 'historic backstreet boozer' which has had a 'sensitive refurbishment' by CAMRA. The campaign describes the pub as originally belonging to Ansell's Brewery but now 'proudly' serving Draught Bass. HS2 said three years ago that The Woodman would not be demolished and the company had been 'liaising regularly' with the owners 'to help them stay open to minimise impact on their business.' More Trending The company added that this included rescheduling works to outside of opening times, providing new outside benches and temporarily relocating outdoor seating 'to maximise customer numbers.' The station is part of a £724 million regeneration for the area expected to create new public spaces, homes and tens of thousands of jobs. Metro has approached HS2 for further comment. Do you have a story you would like to share? Contact MORE: 'It all started from us': 50 years of sound system history at recreated family home MORE: We live yards from Manchester United's planned 100,000-seater stadium – here's what we really think MORE: We live yards from colossal HS2 building work – here's what we really think
