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The Herald Scotland
06-08-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Plans to safeguard future of Scottish mining museum
The four-acre Midlothian site effectively captures the developments in mining over generations and highlights include the most powerful steam winding engine in Scotland; the most extensive preserved suite of Lancashire Boilers in the UK, and the only extant timber Dredger in Europe. Midlothian Council Leader Kelly Parry and Cabinet Member for Tourism Colin Cassidy visited the museum last week. READ MORE: Argyll museum wins prestigious award after redevelopment success The councillors were in Newtongrange to meet informally with Kerry Godfrey, the museum's communications and audience development manager, to hear more about the five-star attraction's short and longer-term plans to attract more visitors. Cllr Cassidy said: 'While it was encouraging to hear Saturday's family fun day has already sold around 1,000 tickets, we also wanted to get a sense of how the museum, housed in one of the best-preserved Victorian Collieries in Europe, was planning to safeguard the future of this unique slice of Scotland's industrial heritage. 'After all, it's celebrating its 130th birthday and we want it to be around for centuries to come.' The councillors heard more details of the venue's aim to raise over £450,000 for a major transformation project to become a world-class destination for Midlothian. Midlothian Council's Cabinet Member for Tourism Councillor Colin Cassidy, Council Leader Councillor Kelly Parry and Newton, the National Mining Museum's mascot (Image: Midlothian Council) Plans include extending its ability to host events such as weddings and conferences, creating a 'collections discovery and skills' centre, developing green energy and communal growing projects and restoring its A-listed buildings and iconic winding engine. Cllr Parry said: 'The plans are very encouraging but with the museum's acknowledged reliance on grant funding from the Scottish Government, the only way it is ever going to achieve financial sustainability is by getting more people through the door. 'Locally then we all need to do our bit by visiting what is a major attraction right on our doorstep while as a council we continue to help the museum explore more funding streams and other ways to generate income. 'It's so easy to get here by public transport – buses and trains can take people just about to the door – and, once here the tours by former miners are fascinating."
Scotsman
15-07-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Police and trading standards seize over 3,000 illegal cigarettes from Midlothian shop
Police and trading standards officers have seized more than 3,000 illegal cigarettes from a shop in Midlothian. 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... Midlothian Council said its trading standards team, assisted by Police Scotland and Consumer Protection Dogs UK, seized a total of 3,620 illegal cigarettes and 800g of tobacco from a shop in Dalkeith. This haul follows the same shop having nearly 10,000 cigarettes seized in two visits last year and other reports of illegal activity. The business could now face heavy fines from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). Police and trading standards officers seized the illegal cigarettes and tobacco | TSPL Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Midlothian trading standards is part of Operation CeCe Scotland, a nationwide partnership between Scottish councils and the HMRC together with Police to tackle the retail sale of illegal tobacco products. They said the use premises like this shop as a front for the sale of illegal tobacco was becoming increasingly common across the country. Counterfeit cigarettes can pose a greater risk than normal cigarettes because they could contain higher levels of harmful and unknown chemicals and can also be a fire hazard since they are unlikely to have been been treated so a left cigarette extinguishes itself. Tell-tale signs of counterfeit goods are said to include cheap price and packaging, the absence of health warnings and health warnings which are not in English. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Midlothian Council leader Kelly Parry said: 'I welcome this seizure of illegal tobacco products. Our partnership working with Police Scotland and the HMRC is vital work which is helping to take illegitimate tobacco products off our streets and thereby protecting local communities and honest businesses. This seizure sends a clear message that this type of activity will not be tolerated."
Edinburgh Reporter
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Edinburgh Reporter
Councillors have ‘little sympathy' for those who complain about 20mph speed limit
Objectors to a new 20mph speed limit across towns in Midlothian have been told an extra minute on their journeys 'won't kill them' by councillors. Midlothian Council's SNP administration cabinet was asked to consider nine objections to plans to introduce the reduced speed on urban streets. And they had little sympathy for those who complained it would make their journeys longer. Councillor Connor McManus said he had looked over the speed limit plans, which were originally approved by elected members two years ago, and could not see an issue with it. He said: 'There was an expression in the comments that it would take longer to get places. I noted people saying that travelling through Penicuik would take a substantially more amount of time. 'I have run the numbers and I am no mathematician but to get from Mauricewood to Lidl, which is the longest stretch in Penicuik which is in my ward, was three minutes without any traffic light stops. It is now going to be four minutes. 'I am pretty sure a minute will not kill anyone.' Council leader Kelly Parry agreed with his comments adding: 'It won't kill you to take an extra minute to get there but speeding can and does kill.' Objectors had claimed reducing the speed in towns could fuel road rage and put children at risk. One protester said the 'utopian' idea would create the impression roads are safe for children to play on and fail to teach them safety. However Councillor McManus said roads would not be playgrounds adding 'there is no need to drive fast on urban streets.' Councillor Ellen Scott also welcomed the reduced speeding saying recent monitoring of vehicles travelling through her local ward area of Gorebridge had produced some 'horrendous' findings. She said: 'There are roads where children are crossing, so if it takes a few extra minutes so be it.' Among comments from objectors, who described the project as a waste of money which could be spent upgrading the road surfaces had been claims Midlothian Council's 'Tarminator' pothole machine, which was bought by the local authority two years ago, was now being used by neighbouring Scottish Borders Council. However council officers took the opportunity to address the allegations, which had been circulating on social media. Derek Oliver, chief officer Place, told the meeting: 'I can confirm our Pothole Pro is not being used by Scottish Borders Council. They have their own one. There are only three Scottish local authorities who own their own Pothole Pro, Midlothian, Scottish Borders and Highland Councils.' There was anger after 20mph signs were installed across towns in the county while the public consultation into introducing the new rules was being carried out. At today's cabinet meeting the report put before councillors asked them to 'consider the objections' made and 'determine whether or not the Order should be made and implemented, as advertised'. However Councillor Parry said that the decision to implement the speed reduction had already been taken by elected members two years previously. She said: 'Just to make it clear to anyone watching council has already passed this policy unanimously, we are simply hear to consider the objections which we have now considered and we can move on.' By Marie Sharp Local Democracy Reporter Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Live
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Edinburgh Live
Midlothian 20mph objectors told extra minute on the road 'won't kill them'
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 Objectors to a new 20mph speed limit across towns in Midlothian have been told an extra minute on their journeys 'won't kill them' by councillors. Midlothian Council's SNP administration cabinet was asked to consider nine objections to plans to introduce the reduced speed on urban streets. And they had little sympathy for those who complained it would make their journeys longer. Councillor Connor McManus said he had looked over the speed limit plans, which were originally approved by elected members two years ago, and could not see an issue with it. He said: "There was an expression in the comments that it would take longer to get places. I noted people saying that travelling through Penicuik would take a substantially more amount of time. "I have run the numbers and I am no mathematician but to get from Mauricewood to Lidl, which is the longest stretch in Penicuik which is in my ward, was three minutes without any traffic light stops. It is now going to be four minutes. "I am pretty sure a minute will not kill anyone." Council leader Kelly Parry agreed with his comments adding: "It won't kill you to take an extra minute to get there but speeding can and does kill." Objectors had claimed reducing the speed in towns could fuel road rage and put children at risk. One protester said the 'utopian' idea would create the impression roads are safe for children to play on and fail to teach them safety. However Councillor McManus said roads would not be playgrounds adding "there is no need to drive fast on urban streets." Councillor Ellen Scott also welcomed the reduced speeding saying recent monitoring of vehicles travelling through her local ward area of Gorebridge had produced some 'horrendous' findings. She said: "There are roads where children are crossing, so if it takes a few extra minutes so be it." Among comments from objectors, who described the project as a waste of money which could be spent upgrading the road surfaces had been claims Midlothian Council's 'Tarminator' pothole machine, which was bought by the local authority two years ago, was now being used by neighbouring Scottish Borders Council. However council officers took the opportunity to address the allegations, which had been circulating on social media. Derek Oliver, chief officer Place, told the meeting: "I can confirm our Pothole Pro is not being used by Scottish Borders Council. They have their own one. There are only three Scottish local authorities who own their own Pothole Pro, Midlothian, Scottish Borders and Highland Councils." There was anger after 20mph signs were installed across towns in the county while the public consultation into introducing the new rules was being carried out. At today's cabinet meeting the report put before councillors asked them to 'consider the objections' made and 'determine whether or not the Order should be made and implemented, as advertised'. However Councillor Parry said that the decision to implement the speed reduction had already been taken by elected members two years previously. She said: "Just to make it clear to anyone watching council has already passed this policy unanimously, we are simply hear to consider the objections which we have now considered and we can move on."
STV News
01-05-2025
- Politics
- STV News
Eight Midlothian schools face toilets review after court gender rulings
Eight schools in Midlothian face having to change their toilets in the wake of recent court rulings over gender rights. Midlothian Council said it is awaiting national guidance following a ruling at the Court of Session in Scotland, which ordered another local authority to install single-sex toilets for pupils. The Supreme Court ruled earlier this month that a woman is defined by biological sex under the Equality Act, leading the Equality and Human Rights Commission to issue interim guidance that trans women should not be permitted to use women's facilities. East Lothian Council has already said two of its primary schools, which were unisex only, are having new signs put up to designate boy and girl facilities, with disabled toilets also available for use. In Midlothian, a spokesperson said eight schools were fully unisex alongside disabled toilets, and it said they, and future projects, would now be reviewed in light of the rulings. A spokesperson said: 'Eight schools have fully unisex toilets. We currently have no projects 'under construction'.' 'All projects that are being planned will now be reviewed, and any necessary amendments as a result of the Supreme Court ruling will be considered and action taken where necessary. 'We are taking cognisance of the legal ruling and are awaiting national guidance on next steps to address the ruling.' They added that all public buildings and council facilities would also be reviewed to 'ensure compliance' with the Supreme Court ruling. The Supreme Court ruling came after a challenge by campaign group For Women Scotland over Scottish Government claims that a trans woman who has a gender recognition certificate (GRC) should be treated as a woman by the Equality Act. However, For Women Scotland argued that the protections provided by the act should only apply to people who are born female. Following the Supreme Court ruling, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) issued guidance that pupils should use toilet facilities corresponding with their biological sex. Last month, council leader Kelly Parry moved to address concerns raised over a new £120m high school in the county, replacing Beeslack, amid claims it would have unisex toilets. She told a meeting of elected members: 'I want to clear up one issue that is the email campaign claiming there is only unisex toilets in the new Beeslack school. 'I want to assure people that the new building will include open-plan, full-height, closed individual cubicles, separate toilets, and accessible toilets, which are not unisex only. 'Additionally, if people prefer a more private toilet facility, these will be available and positioned around the school.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
