News Release: Third Community Council opposes Meadowbank plan

A third community council has voiced its disagreement with Edinburgh Council’s plan to demolish Meadowbank Stadium and replace it with a scaled down sports centre.

Robert Gatliff, chair of Portobello Community Council, said: “We are opposed to the loss of any sporting facilities at Meadowbank. It should be improved not reduced so we can win more medals at cycling and other sports.”

Craigentinny/Meadowbank and Northfield/Willowbrae Community Councils have already called on the plan to be reviewed. Save Meadowbank spokesman Kevin Connor welcomed this latest backing. He said: “Edinburgh Council needs to reconsider its current plan for Meadowbank because last month it approved a report that indicates about two thirds of sporting facilities will be lost to make way for a housing development.”

When its gone its gone – The fight to save Meadowbank

News Release: Meadowbank track must not be moved

Plans to move Meadowbank’s famous running track are seriously flawed, according to senior athletics coach Bill Walker.

Walker, who has coached several Olympic and Commonwealth medallists, says any track at Meadowbank has to be in its current position.

“Athletes will only be able to use the track if it is fit for purpose,” he explains. “Moving it to another part of the site would be unwise because of the prevailing wind, which is normally westerly and funnelled between Carlton Hill and Arthur’s Seat.”

Council officials have suggested moving the track to the area where the cycling velodrome currently stands. But Walker says that is a non-starter because of its proximity to the main East Coast railway line.

The track has to stay where it is or will end up with a facility that won’t be suitable for serious competition.”

Last month Mr Walker revealed it will cost ten times more to move the track to a new location instead of resurfacing the existing facility.

“This is another example of how flawed last month’s report to Edinburgh Council was,” said Save Meadowbank spokesman Kevin Connor.

“Edinburgh Council needs to reconsider its current plan for Meadowbank because it has approved a report that indicates about two thirds of sporting facilities will be lost to make way for a housing development. At a time when Scotland and the UK is set to host the Commonwealth and Olympic games, it is clear that Meadowbank needs upgraded, not sold off and downsized.”

News Release: MSPs call for Edinburgh to retain its cycle track

Thirteen MSPs have already put their name to a motion congratulating Chris Hoy on his recent performances at the World Cycling Championship in Manchester and calling on Edinburgh Council to retain a cycle track in Scotland’s capital city.
 
Hoy won two individual Gold and one team Silver medal to take his tally of Olympic and World Championship medals to an incredible total of 20. That at a time when Edinburgh Council plans to demolish the Meadowbank velodrome where Chris and many others learnt their skills, with only the promise of talks about a possible replacement.
 
“Edinburgh should honour his achievements by providing and enhancing track cycling facilities in the capital,” said Green MSP Robin Harper, who proposed the motion. Harper also highlighted “the important role that the velodrome at Meadowbank Stadium played in Chris Hoy’s development as a track cyclist” and noted “that without the provision of a track cycling facility in the city many would lose the opportunity of involvement in one of Scotland’s most successful sports.”
 
Harper’s motion has been supported by MSPs of all parties. Sarah Boyack (Edinburgh Central), Mary Mulligan (Linlithgow) and George Foulkes (Lothians list) have all put their names to it.

Allister Watson, who is the East of Scotland Cycling Association track secretary and a director on the board of Scottish Cycling, commented: “If Meadowbank was to be demolished, the loss of the velodrome would leave Scotland with out the only track facility that has provided a significant level of competitive success on the international stage over the last 25 years.

“We know it takes at least eight to ten years to develop young athletes into medal winners. With the prospect of no other Scottish track until early 2012, any chance of Scottish medals in the 2014 Commonwealth Games will be severely limited.

“During the initial sessions at the velodrome there has been alarm from parents and youngsters that their track is going to be taken away with out any discussion as to what will take its place.

“If the young riders in Edinburgh loose their track, they will drift away to other sports or, worse still, to no sport at all.”

Save Meadowbank spokesman Kevin Connor added: “MSPs from the Highlands and Islands to Dumfries have supported Chris Hoy, and recognise the need for the provision of cycling facilities in Scotland’s capital.

“Edinburgh Council needs to reconsider its current plan for Meadowbank because last month it approved a report that indicates about two thirds of sporting facilities will be lost to make way for a housing development. At a time when Scotland and the UK is set to host the Commonwealth and Olympic games, it is clear that Meadowbank needs upgraded, not sold off and downsized.”

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News Release: Second Community Council calls for Meadowbank review

A second Community Council has called on Edinburgh Council to reconsider its plan to demolish Meadowbank Stadium and replace it with a scaled down sports centre.

Northfield/Willowbrae Community Council met last week and decided to support the on-going Save Meadowbank campaign.

Stewart Kerr, Community Council secretary, said: “Councillors of all parties must put the needs of the citizens of Edinburgh first before pandering to property developers. The Northfield/Willowbrae Community Council fully supports the campaign to Save Meadowbank.”

Craigentinny/Meadowbank Community Council has already called on the plan to be reviewed. Save Meadowbank spokesman Kevin Connor welcomed this latest backing. He said: “Edinburgh Council needs to reconsider its current plan for Meadowbank because last month it approved a report that indicates about two thirds of sporting facilities will be lost to make way for a housing development.”