http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: West Maitland Street en Wed, 13 May 2026 04:52:01 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12995#post-243982 Fri, 03 Mar 2017 14:35:30 +0000 Frenchy 243982@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Further correspondence from council:</p> <p><em>As Frenchy notes, there are other sections along the tram route where the gap between the tram rails and the kerb is of a similar width to that at West Maitland Street. However, this is not the only factor that has to be taken into account and each location has to be considered on its individual merits.</p> <p>If a tram were to come up behind a cyclist on West Maitland Street, it would then have to reduce its speed and remain behind the cyclist all the way to the Haymarket tram stop. This would either result in it missing its allocated phase at the Haymarket traffic signals; potentially disrupting the tram timetable, or the junction phasing being altered to prioritise the tram; increasing delays for other traffic and for pedestrians waiting to cross the road.</p> <p>In addition, there is a suitable alternative route for cyclists to both Dalry Road and Haymarket Terrace, via Torphichen Street and Morrison Street, which involves only a relatively minor diversion.</p> <p>The impact of a tram having to follow a cyclist through the section of Princes Street outside the Royal Academy would be considerably less than at West Maitland Street. In addition, the alternative routes to avoid this section involve considerable diversions and incorporate areas that are challenging for cyclists.</p> <p>The situation at Haymarket Yards regarding potential delays to trams is similar and, at present, there are no reasonable alternative routes for cyclists.</p> <p>If cyclists were to be permitted to travel westbound on West Maitland Street, there would also be significant difficulties in providing a suitable route through the traffic signals at the Haymarket junction, for cyclists wishing to travel from West Maitland Street into Dalry Road. It is likely that significant alterations would be required to the junction layout and these could impact negatively on pedestrians, trams, buses and other traffic.</p> <p>The decision not to permit cyclists to travel west on West Maitland Street was given serious consideration during the design of the tram network. Having reviewed the issue, following Frenchy’s enquiry, I am satisfied that this was the correct decision.</em></p> <p>I think they severely overestimate the impact a cyclist on West Maitland Street can have on a tram's speed. Trams are more likely to slow <em>me</em> down. Granted, this might change slightly if all cyclists were going that way, but I don't think so.</p> <p>I don't see what Dalry Road has got to do with anything - I don't want Morrison St closed, I just want West Maitland Street opened <em>as well</em>. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12995#post-239266 Fri, 16 Dec 2016 18:55:48 +0000 steveo 239266@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I'm only surprised those amateurs don't hit each other more often. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12995#post-239262 Fri, 16 Dec 2016 18:37:32 +0000 Fountainbridge 239262@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Buses should also be banned eastbound. Accident blackspot</p> <p>@edintravel RTC west Maitland street citybound. Inside lane blocked by 2x First buses </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12995#post-239180 Fri, 16 Dec 2016 11:29:47 +0000 Fountainbridge 239180@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Also section outside the art gallery on princes street heading west bound</p> <p>Also also heading west bound, section between Lothian Road and Queensferry Street </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12995#post-239069 Wed, 14 Dec 2016 15:35:39 +0000 Arellcat 239069@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>Bet it's more than on the Haymarket Yards section.</em></p> <p>It may be wider than <a href="https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@55.9456259,-3.2206087,3a,26y,255.28h,75.93t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1szk6zZjUOT_UxPRELFpcfvA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en">Haymarket</a>, by a few inches at most. Otherwise, yes, on <a href="https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@55.9464927,-3.2164015,3a,25.9y,73.96h,83.76t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sLZKnJI6V3lTykD3jAJ529g!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en">West Maitland St</a> the tram rail is pretty close to the kerb. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12995#post-239068 Wed, 14 Dec 2016 15:20:09 +0000 Murun Buchstansangur 239068@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"The space available between the tram line and the kerb on West Maitland Street is very limited and there would be significant potential for conflict between cyclists and trams, were cyclists be permitted to travel westbound through this area."</p> <p>Bet it's more than on the Haymarket Yards section. #liarliarpantsonfire </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12995#post-239066 Wed, 14 Dec 2016 14:59:37 +0000 Frenchy 239066@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>This has been irritating me recently, so I emailed Cllr Hinds about it. She received a reply from the council's Road Safety and Active Travel Manager, which she's passed on to me.</p> <p><em>...The space available between the tram line and the kerb on West Maitland Street is very limited and there would be significant potential for conflict between cyclists and trams, were cyclists be permitted to travel westbound through this area. </p> <p>In addition, there is a similar narrow area on Haymarket Terrace on the approach to Haymarket Station. The phasing of the traffic signals at the Haymarket junction ensure that westbound cyclists using the current signed route via Torphichen Street, Torphichen Place and Morrison Street do not pass through this area at the same time as a tram. However, this would not be the case for cyclists travelling westbound via West Maitland Street, if this were to be permitted.<br /> ...<br /> </em></p> <p>I intend to reply, pointing out everything LaidBack said above, particularly that the legal route is arguably less safe. Also, that there are points when the tram route is only one lane in each direction, and cyclists are allowed here too.</p> <p>I tend to be cycling in this area in the evenings/weekends, so input from those who commute here especially welcome. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12995#post-157022 Tue, 17 Jun 2014 11:03:59 +0000 LaidBack 157022@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Duncan</p> <p>All your observations are correct. </p> <p>• The ban on cycling here was not taken to improve cyclist safety or convenience. </p> <p>• The 'reasoning' (!) behind this I assume is to establish at least one bit of the tram route that has only two modes of trasnport. Tram and bus drivers contend with all sorts of conflicts so this 100m stretch is a 'reward'.</p> <p><strong>In reality</strong></p> <p>• The direct route is safe if it was signed for bikes as short with good sight lines.<br /> • The direct route is only dangerous at moment due to buses directing anger towards anyone ignoring the markings.<br /> • The direct route avoids the conflict and turns of the Torphicen St route<br /> • Spokes have made suggestion in this area too of course.</p> <p><strong>Another case I've found</strong><br /> Turning left from St Andrew Square / South St Andrew St onto Princes St alongside the tram route. This is very safe as loads of space on street away from trams and no through traffic or buses. When trams cross Princes St all traffic is halted allowing cyclists to safely filter up to right turn at Balmoral Hotel. This is of course an illegal action but safer than the legal route. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12995#post-157010 Tue, 17 Jun 2014 10:04:06 +0000 Stickman 157010@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>As you say, it's been like this for months and the sign is pretty clear. </p> <p>The bus driver is right, despite views on whether the restriction makes sense or not. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12995#post-157009 Tue, 17 Jun 2014 10:03:00 +0000 wingpig 157009@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I'm reasonably sure the sign was up before W. Maitland officially re-opened, so it was buses-only-ified before cyclists started interacting with the tracks and traffic at Haymarket.</p> <p>I'd rather buses were going in a straightish short line instead of going round three tight corners, their corners swinging into other lanes, chewing up the road surface as they turned. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12995#post-157008 Tue, 17 Jun 2014 09:58:13 +0000 stiltskin 157008@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Well, it is definitely buses/trams only. The signage is pretty clear. "No Entry except for trams &amp; local buses". </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12995#post-157005 Tue, 17 Jun 2014 09:12:46 +0000 Duncan 157005@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I've been trying to work out why buses have been hooting me cycling west down W Maitland St. This morning (after cutting me up at speed) a bus driver 'explained'. </p> <p>This may be old news to forum users (apologies) but the driver told me that following the bike accidents on the tram lines at Haymarket, once the trams started running, W Maitland St was declared 'no bikes'. </p> <p>He pointed out that the sign at the entrance says 'Bus and Trams Only.' I'm confused by this as this sign has been there for at least 7 months (mentioned in previous post). I have been cycling this route without problems until very recently.</p> <p>I'm frustrated if what the bus driver says is true, since:<br /> a) the signage is unclear<br /> b) to me this was a major gain from the trams, and it was the one thing I lobbied for at the early consultations.<br /> c) why should cyclists 'pay' for poor road design at Haymarket? (Why not send buses round by Torphichen St!)</p> <p>Does anyone know any more as to whether there has been an official decision to ban westbound cycling here? Or is this a bus-drivers' urban myth? They are certainly behaving in a very self-righteous way about 'their' lane. </p>