On my way to work

There was a great kerfuffle about the building work next to the National Gallery. They are putting in a much needed ramp for wheelchair users and pushchairs. Since the ramp at the other end is so steep as to suicidal in icy weather, and the steps next to the gallery are not wheel friendly I personally feel this project has been a long time coming. 

The fuss was about the trees that were cut down to make access. I have little sympathy, Edinburgh has a very robust public tree planting and maintenance programme. The people who were angry about the tree cut down for this project are noticeably silent about dangerously neglected trees in the meadows. 

The statement that there is a lift inside the gallery for wheelchair access could only be made by someone who has never bothered to look at it. It hold four people or two and a wheelchair, this is no-where near as sensible as putting in a ramp. 

The part I am angry about is that the whole project is blatantly about opening up the old putting green for profit. Not for children to play in safety or families to picnic, but to make another quarter acre available for the Christmas fair, German market, festival food stalls and fairground shows. Money. Bloody council.