Poll quizes residents on Meadowbank

Published on Monday 16 April 2007 12:16

EDINBURGH City Council has commissioned a poll asking residents about plans to demolish Meadowbank, build a new stadium at Sighthill and refurbish the Royal Commonwealth Pool.

The results of the poll, by Ipsos Mori Scotland, will be used to consider improvements to local sports facilities.

But the results came under fire from campaigners fighting to save Meadowbank.

Campaign spokeswoman Paula Ferguson said: "Some very obvious questions, such as asking if people agree to Meadowbank being demolished, simply aren't asked because the poll merely states the site will be sold.

"Other questions are obviously stilted to get a positive response. For example, of course people support investment in new facilities."

Meanwhile, Stewart Harris, chief executive of sportscotland, the national sports agency providing funding to upgrade Edinburgh's sports facilities, has spoken of its support for the plans.

He said a new stadium at Sighthill to replace the ageing Meadowbank Stadium will ensure the provision of "quality, accessible facilities" in the Capital.

The agency is providing 11 million of funding for two major Capital sporting projects - the new stadium and the refurbishment of the Royal Commonwealth Pool.