http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Forrest Road Misconception en Thu, 14 May 2026 07:43:25 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14431&page=3#post-227495 Tue, 16 Aug 2016 13:47:13 +0000 wingpig 227495@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Buses were slipping as they tried to get over the wee kicker at the north end of Waverley Bridge in the winter of 2010-11. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14431&page=3#post-227492 Tue, 16 Aug 2016 13:34:39 +0000 urchaidh 227492@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"<em>They're funicular, so traction doesn't matter.</em>"</p> <p>They have a mix. They do have some funicular lines and some modern articulated trams, but the '28' route through the narrow, steep streets around Alfama runs these small wooden trams from the '30s as nothing else will fit.</p> <p>They are traditional steel wheels on rails so, as DaveC pointed out, might not cope so well with Edinburgh winters. But then, neither do the buses. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14431&page=3#post-227491 Tue, 16 Aug 2016 13:27:29 +0000 cb 227491@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The 23 manages Craighouse Drive with no run up at the bottom.</p> <p>Drumbrae also has a bus stop at the point where it starts getting really steep, south bound, so they can cope with that too.</p> <p>Kirk Brae another steep one. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14431&page=3#post-227485 Tue, 16 Aug 2016 13:12:13 +0000 Frenchy 227485@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>But in winter no ice/snow? Do they get much snow in Lisbon?</em></p> <p>They're funicular, so traction doesn't matter. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14431&page=3#post-227482 Tue, 16 Aug 2016 12:37:57 +0000 DaveC 227482@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em> I can't think of a street in Edinburgh that would be too steep, narrow or twisted for the Portuguese to run a tram up. I suspect they'd get one up the steps on Guthrie street. </em></p> <p>But in winter no ice/snow? Do they get much snow in Lisbon? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14431&page=3#post-227480 Tue, 16 Aug 2016 12:33:48 +0000 wingpig 227480@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>They have small buses in Malaga but they still have loads of scrapes on the back wings. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14431&page=3#post-227478 Tue, 16 Aug 2016 12:31:10 +0000 LaidBack 227478@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I predict smaller driverless buses.<br /> Apparently they're going to try one in Aberdeen. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14431&page=3#post-227476 Tue, 16 Aug 2016 12:28:12 +0000 urchaidh 227476@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"<em>I wonder if a bus could get up Guthrie Street?</em>"</p> <p>How about a tram instead? I just spent a few days in Lisbon where they successfully crossbred trams and roller coasters. I can't think of a street in Edinburgh that would be too steep, narrow or twisted for the Portuguese to run a tram up. I suspect they'd get one up the steps on Guthrie street. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14431&page=3#post-227474 Tue, 16 Aug 2016 12:22:03 +0000 gembo 227474@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>candlemaker row and a double decker bus always a surprise - I would say possibly the strangest placeto find a lothian bus in Edinburgh</p> <p>cowgate low bridges?? They are obviously quite high bridges but /-\</p> <p>guthrie street don't think so</p> <p>semple street bus stops have multiplied with an east lothain stop very close to the corner and the Std Life underground. I predict a riot </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14431&page=3#post-227472 Tue, 16 Aug 2016 12:16:16 +0000 Fountainbridge 227472@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>I wonder if a bus could get up Guthrie Street?</em></p> <p>I'd very much doubt it</p> <p>Anything to stop the 2 going through Cowgate and up Pleasance? Cowgate has been used as a diversion route for double deckers in the past. Apart from the narrow pavement only other thing might need improving would be St Mary Street junction.</p> <p>The 2 is often diverted up Victoria street on Sundays due to badly parked cars on Candlemaker row </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14431&page=3#post-227464 Tue, 16 Aug 2016 11:43:39 +0000 kaputnik 227464@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>and an infrequent #2 wouldn't make the west end of the Cowgate much worse than it is already</em></p> <p>the west end of the Cowgate is often the worse for infrequent #2s... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14431&page=3#post-227460 Tue, 16 Aug 2016 11:29:08 +0000 wingpig 227460@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><blockquote><em>"Close that and 2 would have to go elsewhere..."</em></blockquote></p> <p>I wonder if a bus could get up Guthrie Street? Presumably not if there was anything parked anywhere along it but if it was made one-way uphill-only (except cyclists) then a carefully-driven bus might be able to get up it, and an infrequent #2 wouldn't make the west end of the Cowgate much worse than it is already. Can buses fit underneath George IV Bridge? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14431&page=3#post-227453 Tue, 16 Aug 2016 11:12:25 +0000 ih 227453@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>".... I think we can't just ignore bus routes."</p> <p>Agree wholeheartedly, but that doesn't mean that the current bus network is perfect, or even approaching perfection. Also agree that the most serious problem is the number of private vehicles, and in that class I include the proliferation of commercial vans and lorries. I don't think we should be scared of significant improvements to our environment because of perceived problems for the elderly and disabled. For example there could be a fleet of smaller purpose built buses that plied routes within the city centre (old and new) areas in a much more flexible and useful way than the existing routes. They could be given special status to go places that were otherwise pedestrian and bike areas.</p> <p>Deliveries also seem to be an intractable problem. There are loads of ideas on this forum about how deliveries could be organised. </p> <p>I would like to see an Edinburgh where the central area, and my starting point would be an area bounded by Princes Street, Lothian Road, The Bridges and Laurieston Place (or even Melville Drive), is essentially motor traffic free, with small public transport vehicles making guest appearances to provide a flexible service. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14431&page=3#post-227451 Tue, 16 Aug 2016 10:33:19 +0000 LaidBack 227451@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>As noted by Kaputnik on other thread I think we can't just ignore bus routes. The 2 for example is one of the few buses not to use Princes St and is used by Grassmarket and Lawnmarket residents as our own street only gets themed tour buses now. (Although we had the 23 and 27 diverted recently).</p> <p>I agree with SRD about Candlemaker row junction being dangerous - upward bit of that is bus lane in effect. Close that and 2 would have to go elsewhere - Victoria St could host the 2 - if it was not a car park!</p> <p>It all comes down to how the demographics of city will develop. Ageing/ unfit population means there is a need for low access buses. Tourists use service buses too. Electric bikes may get more older people to ditch their car - if they own one. Self Drive hire cars could be an interesting and possibly disruptive x-factor.<br /> We need less private vehicles and with other options there'll be less need for them. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14431&page=3#post-227441 Tue, 16 Aug 2016 09:41:13 +0000 neddie 227441@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>More ideas for Forrest Rd posted here:</p> <p><a href="http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15842&amp;replies=45" rel="nofollow">http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15842&amp;replies=45</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14431&page=3#post-196725 Mon, 24 Aug 2015 12:38:12 +0000 Deleriad 196725@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Interesting proposed design for Pratt Street in Camden just <a href="https://twitter.com/AsEasyAsRiding/status/635741298650185728">surfaced on twitter</a> Essentially, the proposal is for a central loading strip (with cycle parking), dual cycle lanes, widened pavements and a single traffic lane for service/access traffic.<br /> <a href="https://twitter.com/AsEasyAsRiding/status/635741298650185728"><img src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CNKbSg-W8AAPWnE.jpg"></a><br /> That pattern ought to work for Forrest Road, especially if the bus stop is removed. (Apologies for image: follow the link to get a better view.)</p> <p>Forrest Road is 100% business with residential above so a central loading strip will make it easier to load; current situation is bad for everyone. As ever it would need good enforcement so no one uses it as free parking. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14431&page=3#post-190911 Sat, 13 Jun 2015 20:47:13 +0000 Snowy 190911@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I notice he then proceeded to do nice bit of pavement parking, so he's probably a SMIDGAF rather than a mere SMIDSY.</p> <p>I'd have gone back and ensured his tyres weren't overinflated after a stunt like that. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14431&page=3#post-190883 Fri, 12 Jun 2015 19:41:15 +0000 Luath 190883@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Here's an example of why the current set up at Forrest Road is dangerous:<br /> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVKnIfZj8Uw" rel="nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVKnIfZj8Uw</a></p> <p>The guy in the van had no idea that I was there. What made this incident worse was that I was looking to my right to ensure the drivers behind the van had seen me, so I wasn't watching for the van doing silly van manoeuvres across my path.<br /> I think at the very least the council needs to put up a sign warning drivers on Teviot Place of cycles joining the carriageway from the left.<br /> I also wonder if forcing everyone to 'stay in lane' for the first 10-20 metres of Forrest Road would help? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14431&page=3#post-190359 Sat, 06 Jun 2015 20:43:07 +0000 Nelly 190359@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Hmmmm, Keith says "big demo project".</p> <p>Aye right, because George Street wasn't / couldn't be "big" enough as a statement? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14431&page=3#post-190356 Sat, 06 Jun 2015 18:23:18 +0000 chdot 190356@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"Transport Minister keeps talking about a very big 'demonstration project' "</p> <p>I thought he was just hoping Leith Walk would 'work out'!</p> <p>That was Keith Brown's idea of a 'big demo project'. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14431&page=3#post-190353 Sat, 06 Jun 2015 17:54:45 +0000 DdF 190353@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@deleriad It does sound very positive! My attempt at decoding is that they are considering a segregated cycle route, subject to an application to Sustrans for 50/50 match funding, with the other 50% coming from the council's cycle budget - that is normally what the council is meaning when it talks of 'external funding' - there is no other obvious source of external funding.</p> <p>Even more ambitious in that there is a reference to continuation towards Princes Street.</p> <p>Putting it in the 16/17 budget would be pretty speedy in Council terms, given that it has not been mentioned before, plus the fact that they will need to consult the public and shop owners, then may well need a traffic regulation order (legal process usually taking 9 months or so) and an application to Sustrans.</p> <p>Of course, it could well be "in the 16/17 budget" for the design and consultation costs, with construction more likely the following year. That is the procedure under which most of their segregated routes are being implemented.</p> <p>In the background is also the fact that the Transport Minister keeps talking about a very big 'demonstration project' and has mentioned Edinburgh as the likely candidate. Maybe the council knows something we don't and they are hopeful of a big dollop of cash in a year or two. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14431&page=3#post-190350 Sat, 06 Jun 2015 16:38:45 +0000 SRD 190350@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@deleriad in council terms that's actually very positive </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14431&page=3#post-190348 Sat, 06 Jun 2015 15:05:27 +0000 chdot 190348@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"</p> <p>A well-functioning city has an efficient transport system. It is consequently of vital importance that the bicycle should con- tinue to be the transport mode of choice in the future: the greater the number of trips involving space-saving transport modes, the greater the overall passability of goods and people. For this reason the expansion of capacity in the city's most heavily trafficked sections will continue to be a focus area.</p> <p>"</p> <p><a href="http://www.cycling-embassy.dk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Copenhagens-Biycle-Account-2014.pdf" rel="nofollow">http://www.cycling-embassy.dk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Copenhagens-Biycle-Account-2014.pdf</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14431&page=3#post-190343 Sat, 06 Jun 2015 13:45:26 +0000 chdot 190343@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"I take it as meaning there's a door to open if there's the motivation to push hard enough"</p> <p>Sounds optimistic.</p> <p>Hope you're right!</p> <p>"</p> <p>Subject to securing external funding</p> <p>"</p> <p>THAT, of course is a major part of the problem-</p> <p>'If someone else pays we'll think about it'</p> <p>Whether it should come out of the "cycle budget " is one question, but it should just be part of CEC's OWN plans - not dependent on 'extra' money. </p> <p>What another council does -</p> <p><a href="http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14923#post-190337" rel="nofollow">http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14923#post-190337</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14431&page=3#post-190342 Sat, 06 Jun 2015 13:31:25 +0000 Deleriad 190342@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Had a response back from the Brian Sharkie of the council via Marco Biagi. In summary,<br /> <blockquote>There would be a number of challenges to implementing Spokes’ proposal or a similar project, including the satisfactory operation of the new junction arrangement at Bristo Place / Teviot Place, providing suitable vehicle access for businesses and residents and, perhaps most significantly, creating an onward connection to a similar standard to connect to Princes Street and George Street. Considering and taking forward these proposals would be a significant undertaking. With this in mind we envisage an approach similar to that currently underway in relation to improving east-west cycle links through the city centre. Subject to securing external funding, we will look to take this work forward during the 2016/17 financial year."</blockquote></p> <p>People here are better than me at decoding what this means but I take it as meaning there's a door to open if there's the motivation to push hard enough. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14431&page=3#post-189353 Tue, 26 May 2015 14:09:13 +0000 Arellcat 189353@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I'm not sure I've <em>ever</em> used the Forrest Road cycle lane, on the basis that the stretch of road is sufficiently short that:<br /> a) I'm hardly going to lose much time for my journey by sitting in line with motorists;<br /> b) and neither are other motorists;<br /> c) I'm usually turning right at Chambers St anyway;<br /> d) The narrowing at Greyfriars Bobby brought about by Chambers St traffic means it's better for drivers to be in front and behind me rather than alongside me, when I'm going straight on to George IV Br. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14431&page=3#post-189351 Tue, 26 May 2015 13:51:45 +0000 cc 189351@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Frankly I wouldn't use that cycle lane even if I could, after once having been caught between the pavement and a bus as it moved towards the bus stop. Alarming. I've since altered my route to avoid Forrest Road altogether. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14431&page=3#post-189331 Tue, 26 May 2015 11:37:31 +0000 AKen 189331@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I've been cycling this way in the morning for months now and I think that there's only been one morning when the cycle lane is not blocked by vehicles. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14431&page=2#post-189246 Sun, 24 May 2015 20:07:24 +0000 Deleriad 189246@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>So as people know, the Council have decided that removing trade waste bins from Forrest Road is a good idea. By the end of June at the latest, the road should no longer be a wall of bins. Here's hoping that lends strength to the proposal from Spokes. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14431&page=2#post-187031 Mon, 27 Apr 2015 13:13:24 +0000 HankChief 187031@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><a href="https://twitter.com/RangiRevo/status/592411557268684800">https://twitter.com/RangiRevo/status/592411557268684800</a></p> <p>Very surprised at @POPScotland to realise there are shops in Forest Road. Every other time I pass through it's just a wall of bins &amp; vans. </p>