Christian Path

Ian Maxwell · Post by **Ian Maxwell** » 23 Feb 2003, 23:49

For those who don't know it, Christian Path leads from Windsor Place to Brighton Place, and is a short cut avoiding the High Street, especially useful for High School pupils tying to get to school on time.

There was a path cleanup last Autumn by SPOKES volunteers and pupils, and I have asked Lawrence Marshall to help with trying to get Local Development Committee money to pay for surfacing material (whindust and base) which could be laid by volunteers.

Any offers of help or suggestions would be welcome.

Ian Maxwell

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 27 Feb 2003, 23:46

Congratulations to Spokes and Sustrans on this, as well as to the Porty Path Patrollers and everyone else who has been involved in the long battle to reclaim this historic path from wilderness and years of neglect. I really feel that the the City of Edinburgh should now do their bit by stumping up for a proper tarmac surface. The path is both a Ã¢â‚¬Ëœsafe route to schoolÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ for large numbers of Portobello High pupils as well as a useful cycle route, linking with the access to the Innocent Railway, and its importance deserves to be officially recognised.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 27 May 2003, 21:22

I have recently had some correspondence with Ian Maxwell on this topic, which I paste below:

Just took a walk along the Christian Path. I'm sure that a good deal of work was done last autumn but it still looked as bad as ever. Part of the problem is that most of it is in permanent shade and never gets the chance to dry out, and so is wet and muddy all year round. Could the overhanging branches on either side be cut back (by volunteers if necessary) in order to let the sunshine in? How are the re-surfacing plans coming along? Could a group of local people be formed to help progress this? Would be grateful for an update on this and perhaps we could do a feature on the website?

Bob

Application for funds to lay whindust surface on the path with the council, expect word early June and am hopeful. The work laying the path can be done by volunteers, either local residents or young people (or both), and I have been talking with Portobello High about pupils taking it on as a project this autumn. Hope that taking part will give sense of achievement and ownership. Tarmac could be laid on top of this at a future date. Take your point about vegetation, and will also be pestering Council about the lights that do not work. Will advise as soon as I have a date.

Ian

Ian Maxwell · Post by **Ian Maxwell** » 18 Jan 2004, 21:45

Following my previous message, I'm happy to report that a surface layer was laid on the Christian Path this weekend. A last minute cancellation for the Dirty Weekenders (Edinburgh University conservation volunteesr) and a quick phone round of SPOKES volunteers meant that we had people available to lay 17 tonnes of crushed stone on the path and build up some of the boggy bits.

Next step is to spread whindust on the stone to fill in the surface and to roll it. We hope to finish this part of the job soon.

I hope that the new surface will withstand heavy rain - if not we may have to do some patching.

Apologies to this who volunteered and didn't get called on - we weren't sure whether the job was going ahead until mid week.

Ian Maxwell

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 27 Jan 2004, 23:33

I took a walk along the path on Sunday and I have to say I was HUGELY impressed with the work that has been done. What a difference! Congratulations to everyone concerned and thank you very much for your efforts. Recently, the path had become so boggy and overgrown it was virtually impassable. Already there is evidence that people are starting to use it again.

Unfortunately this does also mean that there has been some litter and dog fouling. I spoke to Robert Davidson, our Task Force Manager, with regard to this at last night's CC meeting and he has agreed to add this to his maintenance schedule so please remind him of this if it starts to fall below standard again.

I think that once the work is complete you should organise an opening ceremony to celebrate your achievement. Well done everyone!

Ed · Post by Ed » 09 Aug 2005, 11:54

Does anyone know who is responsible for this lane and more importantly keeping the bushes trimmed back?

Poppy · Post by **Poppy** » 09 Aug 2005, 12:44

From Mr Poppy's initial research at RoS, it appears that Christian Path, as it is in fact called, is probably the responsibility of the railway people [whatever the company is called this week]. Certainly, from something Maria said a few weeks ago re opening the station again, the trees are their responsiblity - and it used to be the access to the station, so .... go figure!!

Will keep you posted.

Ed · Post by Ed » 09 Aug 2005, 12:58

Strange that its called Christian Path when its nowhere near the Christians. I prefer the term Joby Lane or recently Ripped T-shirt Alley (as I go cycling down it).

Poppy · Post by **Poppy** » 09 Aug 2005, 13:41

It's been called the Christian Path for a bit longer than the council estate's existed, I think.

Anyway, I googled it and, guess what ----- it's owned by Sustrans. See this link to SPOKES if you want it cleared

Post by **wangi** » 09 Aug 2005, 13:50

Wanna buy it Ed? http://www.brb.gov.uk/property/property ... y=e&page=3

I think that's old infomation, and it has infact been bought by Sustrans a few years back. I remember reading that in one of the Portobello Reporters (searches)... :

http://porty.org.uk/reporters/rep_winter_02.pdf

I'm sure I've read somewhere about the history of the name etc, but...

Poppy · Post by **Poppy** » 09 Aug 2005, 13:58

A Major Christian was twice provost of Portobello in the 1880s. See website
STREET NAMES

Post by **wangi** » 09 Aug 2005, 14:17

Think that's a wrong guess/research... I'm sure the path predates that Mayor. For example in the history section regarding Portobello Old Parish Church:

http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/libraries/p ... hurch.html

Initially only used as a "preaching station" the building was granted an extract of licence by the Presbytery in 1818 and the building was then known as "Chapel of Ease". The parish was agreed as being bounded by the beach on the seaward side, to Christian Path on the landward side and to the Figgate burn to the west and Brunstane Road on the east.

And it's on this 1854 map:

http://porty.org.uk/info/1854_map.htm

Poppy · Post by **Poppy** » 09 Aug 2005, 14:24

Ah, that explains why Christian Path not listed on the street name website. Unless the path was something to do with a predecessor of the Provost Christian........Seems a bit odd to call something after what would be a given in days of yore - most of population would have been christian, so why call a path that? Keep digging, Wangi!!

Post by **wangi** » 09 Aug 2005, 14:38

I must have came across it in the library one time or something... I wonder if on this 1783 map:

http://www.visionsofscotland.co.uk/PortoHistory.htm
http://www.visionsofscotland.co.uk/figgatemap.htm

on Hellcat's site the "March betwixt Lord Abercorn & M Jamieson" is the Christian Path... Think it is.

ecm · Post by **ecm** » 09 Aug 2005, 18:11

We had a thread on this way back when. Perhaps it's time for some more volunteering.

christian path

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 10 Aug 2005, 09:54

Ed wrote: I prefer the term Joby Lane.

They think you're joking Ed but it's been known locally as jobby lane for as long as I can remember and I'm a bit older than you

Ed · Post by Ed » 10 Aug 2005, 10:11

Its a generic term I give to any small path/road that is prone to dog mess. The road that goes from the back of the Police Station down past the Masons club is also referred to that as well

After last nights cycle home along Christian Path, the nettles on my bare shins were so bad I had to find some dock leaves to cycle through in the Figgy

Post by **wangi** » 10 Aug 2005, 10:21

Well Ed if you think Christian Path is bad then I'm sure you've not cycled down the path along the railway at Seafield (from the railway bridge, along past the s**t works to the level crossing)... Totally overgrown.

And of course "Jobby Path" too, but smell rather than physical presence.

Ed · Post by Ed » 10 Aug 2005, 10:26

I used to work in Leith and went that way. One of the worst cycles ever. Portobello to The Shore. What a great road that is (for cyclists)!

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 10 Aug 2005, 17:41

Copy of recent email regarding this issue:

----- Original Message -----
From: Bob Jefferson
To: Ian Maxwell ; ron.dymond@edinburgh.gov.uk
Cc: Maria Devoy ; Maureen Child ; Lawrence Marshall
Sent: Saturday, June 18, 2005 11:46 AM
Subject: Christian Path

Ian

I had a walk along the Christian Path this morning. It has become very overgrown again and there is quite a lot of litter. It is also very muddy in parts. I suppose that the litter is proof that people are using it again but I do recall that the Council undertook to maintain the cleanliness of this path, following your excellent work last year to re-surface it.

Ron Dymond has recently returned to Portobello as one of our Task Force Managers, so I'm hopeful that he will take this issue up.

It would be a great pity if all your efforts to re-open this historic path to pedestrians and cyclists was to go to waste. The path requires ongoing maintenance to keep it up to scratch. A strimmer to cut back the nettles would be a good start but the canopy needs to be cut back as well to allow more light in, one of the reasons it tends to be muddy.

Ron, can you help us out?

Regards

Bob Jefferson

I received the following reply from Lawrence Marshall:

----- Original Message -----
From: Lawrence Marshall
To: Bob Jefferson ; Ian Maxwell ; ron.dymond@edinburgh.gov.uk
Cc: Maria Devoy ; Maureen Child
Sent: Monday, June 20, 2005 9:30 AM
Subject: Re: Christian Path

Bob

Thanks for this. During the recent election campaign I was around the Mount Lodge/Windsor Place area on a couple of evenings and noticed a lot of quite well behaved youngsters in the swingpark and coming to and fro along Christian Path.

Summer growth is remarkably quick and voluminous - so I hope that we can go in there and clear away any vegetation that makes the path difficult to use and dank and dark.

Lawrence

Time for a reminder I think.

Robin! · Post by **Robin!** » 11 Aug 2005, 18:48

I noticed they cut a lot of trees at the Brighton Place end, though it might have more to do with the pylon and tunnel

ecm · Post by **ecm** » 12 Aug 2005, 18:37

The path has now had a right good cut back. Walked up it this afternoon.
Quite a difference. And no poo either.

Your reminder obviously worked Bob.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 12 Aug 2005, 18:44

Well I'd like to imagine that Council officials jumped at my every whim, but in fact I hadn't got round to that reminder yet.

Glad to hear this though.

Ed · Post by Ed » 15 Aug 2005, 12:31

Cycled down this morning, all offending branches that hit me, stung me and ripped my clothes are now gone. I can zoom down a lot faster so watch out

Thanks to the mystery woodsmen!

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 15 Aug 2005, 21:47

As to its origins, it seems to date from 1887. More info soon.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 15 Aug 2005, 22:15

From the Scotsman, 27/09/1887

...and that it would be an unsafe passage, especially at night, when it would become dangerous and a nuisance. The Provost said the Railway Company...

...as well-disposed people would be frequently passing.

There's pages of this stuff. The whole thing eventually turns into a major (and hilarious) spat between the Provost and Councillor Gray.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 15 Aug 2005, 22:22

Oh, OK - here's a bit more:

The Scotsman Digital Archive is full of stuff like this. More on this subject soon.

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 01 Oct 2010, 15:29

SUSTRANS have submitted a planning application for a major upgrade to Christian Path. Once the work has been carried out the path will be adopted by COEC.

: page7.jpg (154.63 KiB) Viewed 5320 times

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 01 Oct 2010, 16:00

I see they are using the old Soviet maps.

Pal of Porty · Post by **Pal of Porty** » 01 Oct 2010, 21:29

I am delighted this has been resolved. A brilliant cycling short cut that means you can avoid the cobbles.

SoupDragon · Post by **SoupDragon** » 02 Oct 2010, 12:14

Mr Soupy and Clanger 2 will be pleased, the Brighton Place cobbles are not pleasant
Mr Soupy did try using the pavement but got ticked off by the police

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