Latest news with #JoeSullivan
Scotsman
16-05-2025
- General
- Scotsman
Shocked Edinburgh residents demand answers after council failed to act on fire risks identified 5 years ago
Shocked residents at an Edinburgh block of flat are demanding answers after it emerged fire risks at the 1950s building are only now being looked at – five years after they were first identified in a council report. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... An investigation is now underway into why a detailed report commissioned by the council and dated April 2020, which described dire fire risks in the Westfield Court flat block, was not acted on. And the council were accused of 'putting people's lives at risk' through inaction. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The report warned the council: 'Currently, the risers would allow fire to penetrate numbers of flats with ease. [They] will act as chimneys for a potential fire to spread between flats within the entire affected block.' Westfield Court was built as Edinburgh's first municipal housing block in 1952 and hosts 95 flats | Joe Sullivan It also said that a review of the building's strategy for fire escape should be reviewed, and provided bullet points on concrete actions that would reduce fire risk – though it did not call them recommendations. In a briefing to a group of councillors on 30 April, officers said that they were working on a 'retrospective fire safety strategy' for the building. Residents were informed of the issues in a letter dated the same day, informing them that works to address fire safety risks are required to be carried out urgently within the block using emergency powers under the Tenement (Scotland) Act 2004. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad And in an emergency motion to the city's Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work committee on Tuesday, independent councillor Ross McKenzie expressed dismay at the city's lack of action on the condition report. He said: 'I find it absolutely terrifying that the council failed to act on those words. I also have no faith in the organisation to respond in an open and transparent way. 'This is why I have asked for a stage 2 complaint response which would allow the residents to go to the Ombudsman if that's what they wish to do.' Westfield Court, in Gorgie, was completed in 1952 as Edinburgh's first multi-storey housing block, and hosts 95 flats. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad About two-thirds of them are privately owned, but the council acts as the factor for the property. Marion Potter and Diane Baxter are two pensioners who live in Baxter Court. Potter moved into the complex in 1955, while Baxter has lived there for nine years. Both were shocked when they first heard that there were unaddressed fire safety risks in the building. Mrs Baxter, 71, said: 'Why is it that we suddenly have fire officers every day, and we're all at risk, and we've all got to get these new doors? Who's going to pay for it? Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad '[The council] don't tell us anything. It's like the Secret Service. Why is it suddenly now?' Residents at Westfield Court have also faced issues with high prices for maintenance and communal heating, which are provided by the council as the property's factor. Miss Potter, 70, has seen her bills from the council go up from under £1,200 per year to almost £3,500 over the past three years. Both Miss Potter and Mrs Baxter said that the rise in bills had added financial strain to their lives, with Ms Potter returning to work and Ms Baxter being forced to sell her car. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Miss Potter, who was a schoolteacher in the council, added: 'We did a deputation on Tuesday. That's the third time we've been up at the council and seeing if we can get some answers. 'The councillors are very sympathetic, but sympathy doesn't pay your bills.' Cllr McKenzie said that, due to the non-standard construction methods used in building the block, occupants can't get mortgages for properties there. The condition report stated that some mitigations could include providing smoke seals to all doors in the building, and adding fire stoppages to any penetrations in the building's floors. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Pensioners Marion Potter, left, and Diane Baxter – both of Westfield Court – were shocked to learn that the council had failed to act on fire safety failings reported to it over five years ago | Joe Sullivan Councillor Danny Aston, the SNP's housing spokesperson, said: 'It's very troubling to learn of serious fire safety concerns in this manner, which had initially been identified so long ago. 'Serious questions have to be asked – why wasn't this shared with councillors immediately, and why wasn't action taken much sooner?' An amended version of Cllr McKenzie's motion was passed by the Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Committee. It instructed officers to return to the committee in June with an update on planned fire safety works, to inform residents about the proposed works and costs, and to avoid sending any invoices on fire safety remediations in the interim period. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It also agreed that the 'failure to implement fire safety recommendations' would be referred to the council's internal audit team. Further, it said that the committee believes that the costs of whatever remediations are needed to address the situation should not be borne by residents. Lezley Marion Cameron, a Labour councillor and convener of the Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work committee said: 'This is a hugely important issue, which is why I agreed to accept this motion.' Eilidh Keay, chair of tenants' union Living Rent's Edinburgh branch, said: 'Edinburgh Council has utterly failed its duties and potentially put people's lives at risk. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'No one should live in a home that is a fire risk. Has our council forgotten about Grenfell and countless other block fires? 'It is beyond belief that they have sat on the recommendations of a fire risk report for the last five years. These recommendations should have been implemented years ago. 'These tenants were already fighting against an outdated energy system in the building that was leaving them with annual £3,500 energy bills. Now residents live with the fear of knowing their building could go up in flames at any moment.' Edinburgh Council has been contacted for comment.
Irish Independent
09-05-2025
- Irish Independent
Gorey motorists risking lives of children as they break speed limits beside busy park – ‘I don't know where they got their driving licenses'
Speaking at the April meeting of the Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District (GKMD) Councillor Darragh McDonald asked whether there was any way the local council could 'look at reducing the speed' on the Fort Road. "There's schools, the park, and residential areas where people are struggling to get out of their drives,' he continued. 'What is our best practise for reducing speeds in urban areas, I know we can install speed ramps, raised crossings, but what is our best approach at the moment?' He received support from Cllr Joe Sullivan who called into question the qualifications of those breaking the limits. 'The speed there is alarming, the park is a hugely-used amenity and a raised crossing would be of benefit for safety in the area,' he said. 'People are reckless to be driving at those speeds, they're all well aware there's a park and children there. I cannot understand how anyone feels they can do 70kmh within a built up area, I don't know where they got their driving license if they think they can do that.' Roads engineer Joanne Kehoe said she had already raised the issue in the council and enquired about including the Fort Road in the next round of applications for a safety scheme. Responding to Cllr McDonald's query regarding best practise she said: 'In terms of our current approach, we don't have a traffic calming policy, it's done on a case-by-case basis which makes it difficult, sometimes, to come up with a solution. "The driver feedback signs have been working very well because a lot of people aren't aware they're breaking the speed limit until they see them. Narrowing the road also has a huge effect on speed; it's about giving the impression of narrowing it, narrowing the footpaths to the edge of the road as it makes drivers more aware of the speed they're travelling.' Describing road safety issues as one of the 'most important' issues the councillor raise during their meetings, Cllr Sullivan reminded everyone of some stark figures regarding fatalities this year. 'Almost half the people killed on Irish roads this year were what is called vulnerable road users, pedestrians, cyclists, and motor cyclists,' he said.
Scotsman
08-05-2025
- Scotsman
Edinburgh protesters repeatedly block street after 80-year-old woman struck by a car
Watch more of our videos on and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565 Visit Shots! now Protesters have repeatedly blocked an Edinburgh street to demand action after an 80 year old woman was struck by a car. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Around 30 demonstrators gathered at the junction of Ashley Terrace and Harrison Gardens on Wednesday night. And they said the council had promised to take action almost three years ago – but nothing had been done. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The protest was sparked by an incident which saw an 80 year old woman was struck by a black BMW and sent to hospital Monday last week. The Edinburgh protest was set up after a local resident was struck by a car on Ashley Terrace at around 12.30pm on Monday, April 28 | Joe Sullivan Protesters crossed into Ashley Terrace and stood still, blocking traffic in both directions. They also crossed the street at the junction every few minutes while carrying signs, some of which read 'pedestrian safety now' and 'road safety now'. In June 2022, Edinburgh Council officials presented a local primary school's parents group with plans to narrow the roadway at the junction after over a decade of pleas, with hopes it would make the crossing safer. But almost three years on, the council has not yet applied for a traffic regulation order, which would allow them to start the process of modifying the crossing and narrowing the roadway. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Dr Johanna Jokio, one of the protest's organisers, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: 'We want the council to build a proper crossing here, they've been promising one for years. 'Last month, a car hit one of our neighbours. The council says they have a 'city mobility plan'. We want to see people put first, and car traffic reduced.' Jokio, 34, worked with campaign group Living Streets Edinburgh to organise the protest, of which she is also a member. Ashley Terrace's junction with Harrison Gardens hosts the last crossing of the road before it reaches the Union Canal, over 300 metres to the south. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The parents' council at Craiglockhart Primary School, which is located along that stretch, have been advocating for a permanent crossing there for over 15 years. Dr Johanna Jokio, one of the protest's organisers | Joe Sullivan The protesters want to see the council improve the crossing at the junction, and add a new one in front of the primary school. Green councillor Dan Heap, who represents the Sighthill/Gorgie ward, said: 'Everyone has the right to use our streets safely, whether they are pedestrians, car users, bicycle users. But that's not always the case. 'We've been waiting for improvements here for quite a long time, actually, and in other parts of the city. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'The campaigners here are not asking for the world. They're asking for some decent improvements, they're asking for some traffic calming measures – but it would make a big difference. 'They're not asking for the road to be closed. They're asking for fairly basic safety improvements to the street. 'There's a lot of young families here, there's a school just down the road. And hopefully the council can speed up this action, because this is a project that has been very, very delayed.' Wednesday's protest comes after the news last month that almost 70% of active travel projects in the capital have been delayed, with some falling behind by over a decade. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Many of these schemes include elements that help to improve safety for pedestrians crossing Edinburgh streets in various ways, such as new signalised crossings or narrower roads that slow down cars. Councillor Stephen Jenkinson, Transport and Environment Convenor said: 'Pedestrian safety across the city is a priority and I fully understand the safety concerns raised by the community in relation to the junction at Ashley Terrace and Harrison Gardens, particularly given the recent road traffic accident which took place there. 'As outlined in the Road Safety Delivery Plan, there are plans in place for two footpath build-outs on Ashley Terrace. Unfortunately, we have experienced some delays due to necessary design revisions and coordination with other services. 'In relation to Ashley Terrace, the installation of a build-out directly in front of the school entrance requires the relocation of a nearby bin hub. This is being progressed through a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) by the Waste team, and we are awaiting further updates from them.'
Edinburgh Live
08-05-2025
- Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh protest blocks street to demand safe crossing after 80-year old hit by car
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 Protesters have repeatedly blocked an Edinburgh street to demand action after an 80 year old woman was struck by a car. Around 30 demonstrators gathered at the junction of Ashley Terrace and Harrison Gardens on Wednesday night. And they said the council had promised to take action almost three years ago - but nothing had been done. The protest was sparked by an incident which saw an 80 year old woman was struck by a black BMW and sent to hospital Monday last week. Protesters crossed into Ashley Terrace and stood still, blocking traffic in both directions. They also crossed the street at the junction every few minutes while carrying signs, some of which read 'pedestrian safety now' and 'road safety now'. In June 2022, Edinburgh Council officials presented a local primary school's parents group with plans to narrow the roadway at the junction after over a decade of pleas, with hopes it would make the crossing safer. But almost three years on, the council has not yet applied for a traffic regulation order, which would allow them to start the process of modifying the crossing and narrowing the roadway. (Image: Joe Sullivan, LDRS) Dr Johanna Jokio, one of the protest's organisers, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: 'We want the council to build a proper crossing here, they've been promising one for years. 'Last month, a car hit one of our neighbours. The council says they have a 'city mobility plan'. We want to see people put first, and car traffic reduced.' Jokio, 34, worked with campaign group Living Streets Edinburgh to organise the protest, of which she is also a member. Ashley Terrace's junction with Harrison Gardens hosts the last crossing of the road before it reaches the Union Canal, over 300 metres to the south. The parents' council at Craiglockhart Primary School, which is located along that stretch, have been advocating for a permanent crossing there for over 15 years. The protesters want to see the council improve the crossing at the junction, and add a new one in front of the primary school. (Image: Joe Sullivan, LDRS) Green councillor Dan Heap, who represents the Sighthill/Gorgie ward, said: 'Everyone has the right to use our streets safely, whether they are pedestrians, car users, bicycle users. But that's not always the case. 'We've been waiting for improvements here for quite a long time, actually, and in other parts of the city. 'The campaigners here are not asking for the world. They're asking for some decent improvements, they're asking for some traffic calming measures – but it would make a big difference. 'They're not asking for the road to be closed. They're asking for fairly basic safety improvements to the street. 'There's a lot of young families here, there's a school just down the road. And hopefully the council can speed up this action, because this is a project that has been very, very delayed.' Wednesday's protest comes after the news last month that almost 70% of active travel projects in the capital have been delayed, with some falling behind by over a decade. Many of these schemes include elements that help to improve safety for pedestrians crossing Edinburgh streets in various ways, such as new signalised crossings or narrower roads that slow down cars. Councillor Stephen Jenkinson, Transport and Environment Convenor said: 'Pedestrian safety across the city is a priority and I fully understand the safety concerns raised by the community in relation to the junction at Ashley Terrace and Harrison Gardens, particularly given the recent road traffic accident which took place there. "As outlined in the Road Safety Delivery Plan, there are plans in place for two footpath build-outs on Ashley Terrace. Unfortunately, we have experienced some delays due to necessary design revisions and coordination with other services. "In relation to Ashley Terrace, the installation of a build-out directly in front of the school entrance requires the relocation of a nearby bin hub. This is being progressed through a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) by the Waste team, and we are awaiting further updates from them.'
Irish Times
05-05-2025
- General
- Irish Times
Ireland's mobile saunas in danger of being killed off by red tape and bureaucratic confusion
It's best to hold your breath if you happen to be jumping into an old whiskey barrel filled with ice-cold water after a session of serious sweating at one of Ireland's new mobile saunas, like the one at Redbarn Beach in Youghal, Co Cork. However, mobile sauna owners around the coast won't be holding theirs as they wait for local authorities to develop bylaws to facilitate, licence and regulate these operations. Bureaucratic confusion and acres of red tape are threatening the future of this burgeoning business. [ Mysterious sweathouses were used widely in Ireland until late 19th century. Now sauna culture is making a comeback Opens in new window ] For now, it seems the sunny southeast county of Wexford will remain sauna-free, after executives told county councillors at a recent municipal district meeting that it was imposing 'a blanket ban' on mobile saunas until further notice. 'Our environment section is very nervous about anything which involves fires around beaches – it also has misgivings about how environmentally friendly the saunas are,' said Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District (GKMD) district manager Philip Knight. Fianna Fáil councillor Joe Sullivan pulled no punches when he challenged the decision to take such a 'sledgehammer approach', arguing that 'bylaws could be changed, if the will was there'. 'Five years ago we had the same discussion about horseboxes and coffee,' he said. 'And now there's more coffee in horseboxes than horses.' READ MORE Down the coast in Kerry, the official line is a bit more complex. Last September, Sinn Féin councillor Deirdre Ferris put forward a motion to allow mobile saunas to come under beach-trading bylaws. She cited the fact that since the Covid-19 pandemic, the rise in the popularity of sea-swimming had led to an increase in the numbers of such saunas around the coast. [ 'It's a hilariously wonderful idea': Coastal saunas a hot ticket amid icy Irish temperatures Opens in new window ] Lauding the reported benefits of these leisure activities for mental and physical health, she argued that saunas were benefiting local communities as well as offering a new niche tourism product. In response, Kerry County Council committed to carrying out a review of current casual trading bylaws to check if amendments could be made to them to facilitate the sauna businesses. A subsequent report by the council's chief executive confirmed that it would issue pilot licenses to two saunas, one at Banna beach and the second at Ballyheigue, while it went through the protracted process of drafting and adopting suitable bylaws. Interestingly, Banna and Ballyheigue beaches are only 9km apart, while the entire coastline of Co Kerry is 886km in length. There are about six other saunas along the Kerry coastline, and at least 40 along the coast in Cork. I happen to be familiar with all of this because my daughter operates a mobile sauna at one of the beaches in Co Kerry. She welcomes the county council's decision to implement a pilot study and looks forward to the regulation and licensing of her business. Indeed, she is a member of a group of 108 sauna operators, some of whom are in the process of creating an association to protect and regulate the industry. She first wrote to Kerry County Council in 2023 requesting a permit. The latest response, in early April, from its environment department states: 'To the best of our knowledge there are no plans that we are aware of in this section to extend [the pilot study on Banna and Ballyheigue beaches] this to other car parks or areas around the county.' [ Rise of the seaside sauna: 'Sitting semi-naked with people I didn't know was out of my comfort zone' Opens in new window ] Five years have passed since the pandemic led to a surge in interest in new ways to enjoy our coastline. Once again though, the world of officialdom is on the back-foot, smothered by regulations and red tape. The colourful and poetic names of these wood-burning barrel-shaped healing oases tell their own story: among them are Bosca Beatha, Wild Wellness, Sauna Suaimhneas, Sabhna, and my daughter's Samhradh's Sauna named after her much loved dog. Owners are more often than not passionate about the outdoors, alternative lifestyles and the lost magic of our heritage. From salt scrubs to drumming workshops, Celtic tales and al fresco feasts around the summer solstice, these saunas are adding another layer to our culture. Could it be that our conservative establishment is suspicious of some of these operators, since they often don't fit the stereotype of business owners? It is not as if they are a totally new phenomenon in Ireland. Studies confirm that there were over 300 known stone sweat-houses in Ireland, some of which dated back to Celtic times. As Rosanna Cooney – author of a new book, Sweathouse – puts it, 'they were very much part of the people's apothecary'. The contemporary sauna is no longer built like a cairn of stones or heated by turf, but the sense of wellbeing it offers remains much the same. The distinctive smell of wood-fired saunas adds to the sensual experience, particularly since many of them offer panoramic seascapes to be enjoyed while sweating in 90 degrees Celsius in the dry heat – no matter how wild the weather is outside. The reported health benefits of being immersed this immense heat followed by a plunge in cold water are said to include an increase in the rate of metabolism, and an improvement in blood pressure, along with cardiovascular benefits. Surely it is a no-brainer for our local authorities to fast-track proper provisions for this wonderful new industry? [ Rediscovering Ireland's sea sauna tradition: 'It's like a modern-day pub, except you leave feeling great' Opens in new window ] As Shirley Fitzpatrick, owner of Bosca Beatha, one of the first such saunas in the country, says: 'It would be great if our county councils came together, communicated with each other and pooled their resources on how to support these small businesses.'
