Campaigners having a party to save 1-6 Canonmills Bridge!

Locals are rallying round this weekend to ensure that the demolition of 1-6 Canonmills Bridge, currently leased by local produce champions EARTHY, is stopped.

Led by local resident Jan Anderson and Architectural/urban designer and lecturer, Ross McEwan, the current campaign has gathered quite a response from the community who say they feel that they have been left in the dark over plans for the 18th century bridge in Inverleith Conservation Area.

They say that if the demolition goes ahead and the four-storey new build is put in its place, it will overshadow the area, block the views of the waters and wildlife and destroy the iconic skyline for residents and tourists to the area alike.

The campaigners feel that the traditional single-storey building at 1 – 6 Canonmills Bridge has found a place in the hearts of locals and visitors to the area, serving as an attractive and popular hub for social life around a busy junction.

In just two weeks the online petition gained nearly 2500 signatures with cries of disbelief about the plans. The momentum is set to continue with a weekend of partying and petitioning to raise awareness this weekend on 27 & 28 June on the bridge.

Jan told us why this is so important: “We want to ensure that this time everyone is aware of the plans for the area as to date it certainly hasn’t been made clear to the wider public what is happening with this beautiful historic, conservation area. We need people to know that it’s not too late and we can still stop the demolition by writing to the planning sub-committee, the local councillors and spreading the word. ”

The campaigners say that the demolition application is due to appear on the Edinburgh Council Planning sub-committee agenda on either 27 July or 12 August and the locals are geared up to spend the coming weeks ensuring that Edinburgh council realise that this proposal is seen as a ‘bridge too far’.

You can read more about this application here.