http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: A8 route - Consulation en Tue, 19 May 2026 12:39:40 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15826&page=6#post-316466 Sat, 26 Oct 2019 09:40:36 +0000 HankChief 316466@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@Frenchy - not from the Community Council...</p> <p>It is the most direct route from Ratho to Corstorphine / Gyle / Town, but crucially also to get to the Ingliston Park &amp; Ride and direct Public transport routes. None of the roads to Ratho are really fit for purpose</p> <p>If you were playing Sim City, you would build a new road to the Airport Dumbbell junction. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15826&page=6#post-316463 Sat, 26 Oct 2019 09:31:12 +0000 Frenchy 316463@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I suppose there would be no appetite for options such as:</p> <p>3. Make Gogarstone Road exit-only.<br /> 4. Close Gogarstone Road completely. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15826&page=6#post-316462 Sat, 26 Oct 2019 09:28:56 +0000 gembo 316462@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Thanks Hankchief for continuing to fight on all fronts. Chapeau </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15826&page=6#post-316460 Sat, 26 Oct 2019 09:18:28 +0000 HankChief 316460@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Yesterday I went to a meeting with Ratho Community Council and an Active Travel Officer.</p> <p>The officer explain the rationale for the change at Gogarstone Road and I explained the difficulties for active travellers - that not every driver took the junction at safe speeds / with appropriate lookout for people crossing and the waiting area (to cross) was too small especially if you were supervising little people.</p> <p>The officer explain how they intend to improve the signage so that there is clear distinction between the Gogarstone Junction and Airport Sliproad. They also intend to build out the road edge and verge in line with the current hatchings and move the bus stop (don't know where to).</p> <p>The community council weren't convinced by this and asked what else could be done...</p> <p>Two alternatives emerged, </p> <p>1. Move the crossing further south (away from the A8).</p> <p>2. Signalise the jucntion.</p> <p>The officer is going to go away and consider them.</p> <p>Personally, I can't see either being built. </p> <p>The land take required for option 1 would be quite substantial and take you a long way off the desire line.</p> <p>The cost of putting lights in would be disproportionate to the problem trying to be solved. (Note how long it is taking to get lights at the Dalmahoy).</p> <p>The officer did say he would consult further... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15826&page=6#post-312751 Tue, 20 Aug 2019 12:56:59 +0000 Saltotom 312751@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em><blockquote>During these visits, it was apparent that the road signs giving advanced warning of the slip road and the junction were obscured by overgrowing vegetation and he therefore arranged for this to be cut back, as a matter of urgency.</blockquote></em></p> <p>This has finally happend after nearly 10 weeks!! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15826&page=6#post-309192 Fri, 21 Jun 2019 17:05:17 +0000 HankChief 309192@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Our Councillors have received the following response from the Road Safety and </p> <p><em>"Dear Councillor<br /> RECENT CHANGES TO ROAD MARKINGS ON THE A8 GLASGOW ROAD</p> <p>Thank you for your recent correspondence about alterations to the road markings on the westbound slip road from the A8 Glasgow Road to the airport and at the junction with Gogarstone Road. I apologise for the delay in responding.</p> <p>The Council has been implementing a phased series of improvements to provision for pedestrians and cyclists along the A8, between South Gyle and Newbridge, over the last few years. The next phase of this work will include the introduction of traffic signals and pedestrian crossing across both the A8 (at the BP station) and Ingliston Road, as well as changes to the junction at Gogarstone Road to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists to cross the side road in safety.</p> <p>To support these changes, it was considered necessary to reduce the speed limit on the National Speed Limit section of the A8 to 40mph. This will also support anticipated future changes to the nature of the road, arising from adjacent planned major developments. The Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) necessary to change the speed limit was advertised last year as part of the statutory TRO process. This included the erection of site notices, notifications in the local press and on the Traffic Orders section of the Council’s website and notifying local elected members and Community Councils of the proposed change. Objections to the TRO were reported to the Council’s Transport &amp; Environment Committee on 6 December 2018.</p> <p>To comply with legislation and to promote compliance with the new speed limit, a package of work was recently undertaken to change the speed limit signs on the A8 and alter road markings along the route. As part of this work, areas of hatching were introduced on the slip road to the airport, to reduce it to a single traffic lane, and at the junction with Gogarstone Road, to remove the deceleration and acceleration lanes. Lanes of this type are not required, or usually provided, on 40mph roads.</p> <p>During consultations on the proposals for pedestrian and cycle improvements along the route, the most commonly raised issue was safety while trying to cross Gogarstone Road. The main causes of this concern were the limited visibility between users of the crossing point and approaching traffic, turning both into and out of the road, and the speed of traffic turning left out of the road. Subsequent site visits determined that these concerns were valid. The new areas of hatching at the junction aim to address these issues, as an interim measure, prior to the next phase of the pedestrian and cycle route improvements proceeding.</p> <p>The paths to the rear of the hatching are legally redetermined as shared use, to allow their use by both pedestrians and cyclists, and cycle route signing is in place. It is intended to widen and improve these paths, and to make more substantive changes to the junction layout to assist those crossing the road, as part of the next phase of the route improvements.</p> <p>The changes that have been made to signs and road markings at the slip road and the junction are within the discretion of Council Officers to make and do not require to be approved by local Councillors or a Council Committee. Consultation with local community groups is not usually undertaken prior to making relatively minor changes to road layouts, such as the introduction of hatched markings. The changes were, however, subject to a Road User Safety Audit, conducted by an independent consultant, prior to their implementation and any concerns raised by the Auditor were considered prior to the changes being made.</p> <p>Since the changes were made a number of concerns about them have been brought to my attention. In response, my colleague, [] visited the location on several occasions, at various times of day, to monitor the operation of the new road layouts at the slip road and the junction. During these visits, it was apparent that the road signs giving advanced warning of the slip road and the junction were obscured by overgrowing vegetation and he therefore arranged for this to be cut back, as a matter of urgency.</p> <p>He has also met with representatives of the airport and the Royal Highland Centre and with local Councillors. As a result of these discussions the second traffic lane on the airport slip road have been reinstated to coincide with the start of the Royal Highland Show.</p> <p>Video surveys of the Gogarstone Road junction are to be carried out, to gather further information on the numbers and types of users and the various issues being experienced. Should it not be possible for these surveys to be carried out prior to the start of the school summer holidays, they will take place after the end of the holiday period, to ensure that they capture normal traffic conditions. These timescales have been agreed with local Councillors.Once the survey information has been analysed we will meet again with Councillors, and with local stakeholder groups, to discuss possible short and longer term adjustments so that the road is as safe as possible for all road users. Meanwhile, I would like to thank you for your patience while this work is carried out.</p> <p>Yours sincerely</p> <p>Road Safety and Active Travel Manager"</em> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15826&page=6#post-308954 Tue, 18 Jun 2019 10:05:21 +0000 chdot 308954@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>OK</p> <p>So what are we to understand from this?</p> <p>CEC designs stuff based on unrealistic expectations of behaviour change?</p> <p>Lawbreaking (ignoring speed limits) is inevitable and enforcement ‘not possible’?</p> <p>CEC willing to respond rapidly when (enough of) ‘the right sort of people’ complain? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15826&page=6#post-308953 Tue, 18 Jun 2019 09:37:51 +0000 HankChief 308953@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><a href="https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/traffic-and-travel/edinburgh-airport-slip-road-to-be-restored-to-two-lanes-amid-fears-of-traffic-chaos-1-4948868" rel="nofollow">https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/traffic-and-travel/edinburgh-airport-slip-road-to-be-restored-to-two-lanes-amid-fears-of-traffic-chaos-1-4948868</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15826&page=6#post-308924 Mon, 17 Jun 2019 16:11:50 +0000 CycleCommute.CC 308924@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>This stretch of road is crying out for them. Hopefully I won't be a statistic that forces them to happen. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15826&page=6#post-308922 Mon, 17 Jun 2019 16:09:21 +0000 acsimpson 308922@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Yes, the average speed cameras improve safety rather than making drivers stamp on the brakes. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15826&page=6#post-308914 Mon, 17 Jun 2019 13:37:43 +0000 gembo 308914@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@CC and @AC</p> <p>yes, these cameras are far too effective ever to be installed.</p> <p>The average speed ones are even worse you have to slow down for the entire distance not just before and after the camera </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15826&page=5#post-308913 Mon, 17 Jun 2019 13:21:03 +0000 acsimpson 308913@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>CC.cc sadly the motoring lobby has successfully stopped the installation of fixed speeding/enforcement cameras without them first drawing sacrificial blood. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15826&page=5#post-308898 Mon, 17 Jun 2019 11:19:29 +0000 CycleCommute.CC 308898@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>If they can install these cameras so easily, what's the difficulty in installing speed cameras? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15826&page=5#post-308811 Sat, 15 Jun 2019 15:55:04 +0000 HankChief 308811@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>From Councillor Webber on FB</p> <p>"<em>I had a meeting with officers last night.... here is a very quick summary that i shared with Kate Watt. Apologies for shortness..</p> <p>Ok so the plan is:</p> <p>Airport slip back to 2 lanes - immediately </p> <p>They will install cameras at the junction and they will run 24/7 for 1 week to review driver and other user behaviour etc (will include that bus stop too)</p> <p>If they can get this arranged before school hols they will do it, however if not it will wait until schools go back late August </p> <p>Road will stay as is until then</p> <p>Results of camera survey will be shared along with options to cllrs, radcc and other groups</p> <p>(There should be 4 or 5 variations presented to us)</p> <p>Important to Find a solution that suits and accommodates all users</p> <p>Hope this helps<br /> Feel free to share</em>" </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15826&page=5#post-308578 Wed, 12 Jun 2019 12:02:54 +0000 CycleCommute.CC 308578@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>If they were serious about that road they just need to install average speed cameras. It's the only way to get the speed down to the limit. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15826&page=5#post-308570 Wed, 12 Jun 2019 10:22:52 +0000 bill 308570@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Overheard:<br /> Colleague1 to Collegue2: "I was going 40 mph along A8 this morning and suddenly I noticed a car zooming past me doing way over 40. Turned out to be you"</p> <p>Collegue2: "Oh, is it still a 40 limit? There were doing some roadworks there recently but that's finished. It shouldn't be 40. 40 feels way too slow there". </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15826&page=5#post-308513 Tue, 11 Jun 2019 12:34:18 +0000 acsimpson 308513@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>No the road is a 40 lights could be added to the junction. This would have the added benefit of permitting a right turn out of the junction and allowing cyclist taking the dummy path on the north of the road to cross back onto the cycle path. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15826&page=5#post-308487 Tue, 11 Jun 2019 09:16:14 +0000 jonty 308487@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I've just looked on Street View and see what you mean. Nasty. Would almost be better without the island from that point of view so that eastbound path users can see right down the road.</p> <p>But yes. Crap road. Make it a 30, filter it so it's a through route for bikes and buses only and and put all the through traffic onto the M8. I would be OK with a new airport access road from Gogar if this was the trade, to be honest. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15826&page=5#post-308484 Tue, 11 Jun 2019 08:52:37 +0000 Saltotom 308484@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@siltskin. Agree, also the fact that there isn't even a "New road layout ahead" sign for the westbound traffic is a joke. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15826&page=5#post-308451 Mon, 10 Jun 2019 17:45:59 +0000 stiltskin 308451@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>+1 paddyirish. Fundamentally the problem is that they haven’t succeeded in slowing down the traffic on the A8 to make it safe to have the 90 degree junction they have painted. Sadly, I don’t think the paint has made it appreciably safer for bikes either. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15826&page=5#post-308450 Mon, 10 Jun 2019 17:00:16 +0000 paddyirish 308450@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Jonty, that may be the case when heading westbound (a shoulder check should help there) , but it absolutely isn't heading east. We can see about 10yds up the road because of obstructions and if cars are speeding down, you take your chances. Eastbound it is easily the most dangerous bit of road that I cycle on regularly. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15826&page=5#post-308448 Mon, 10 Jun 2019 16:24:49 +0000 jonty 308448@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I think the main issue for people walking and cycling is traffic entering the road at speed, not leaving. You can at least easily see when A8-bound traffic is coming.</p> <p>Another complicating aspect here, I think, is that indicating left here might suggest you're heading for the airport slip road, which could cause drivers to overestimate your intended speed, even if your brake lights are on.</p> <p>The root cause is probably that the A8 is a mishmash of a road used all sorts of contradictory purposes with a design which suits none of them particularly well. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15826&page=5#post-308447 Mon, 10 Jun 2019 16:10:45 +0000 CycleCommute.CC 308447@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>To be fair I can understand the frustration. Pulling out into the flow of the A8 when it's busy would not be easy or fun.</p> <p>Given that most of the traffic won't even be wanting to go West, they don't really need to go on the A8. Would some speed bumps not have worked on Gogarstone Road? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15826&page=5#post-308439 Mon, 10 Jun 2019 14:14:48 +0000 EdinburghCycleCam 308439@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@stiltskin - For those used to the old road layout, sure - but you could say this about any change to any road layout.</p> <p>Anyone who isn't driving on autopilot shouldn't expect to approach a junction at 40 mph. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15826&page=5#post-308437 Mon, 10 Jun 2019 13:52:48 +0000 stiltskin 308437@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I think anyone viewing the junction and the traffic on the A8 would reasonably say that it has almost certainly increased the risk of an accident to a motor vehicle. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15826&page=5#post-308433 Mon, 10 Jun 2019 12:45:09 +0000 neddie 308433@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>has increased likelihood of “shunts”</em></p> <p>Is this a bit like, "I was nearly killed by a lycra-clad cyclist..."?</p> <p>Have there been any actual shunts, or is this just a perception? Humans being famously poor at perceiving actual risk.</p> <p>Is it really about, "OMG, they changed something - scandal!"<br /> , or "Cyclists inconveniencing drivers again..."? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15826&page=5#post-308421 Mon, 10 Jun 2019 11:00:09 +0000 EdinburghCycleCam 308421@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>The removal of deceleration lanes for vehicles turning off the A8 into Gogarstone Road has increased likelihood of “shunts”, they say.</em></p> <p>By drivers who floor it right up to junctions, yes. You wouldn't do 40 mph up to any other T-junction... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15826&page=5#post-308411 Mon, 10 Jun 2019 07:06:45 +0000 HankChief 308411@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><a href="https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/traffic-and-travel/changes-to-road-layout-on-a8-near-edinburgh-airport-has-increased-risk-of-accidents-say-residents-1-4943541" rel="nofollow">https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/traffic-and-travel/changes-to-road-layout-on-a8-near-edinburgh-airport-has-increased-risk-of-accidents-say-residents-1-4943541</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15826&page=5#post-308171 Wed, 05 Jun 2019 07:48:02 +0000 HankChief 308171@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Looking at the designs again (on Max zoom!), there is a traffic light for the left turning M9-A8 traffic which will be triggered if vehicles are in the red box coming off the roundabout.</p> <p>Whether it is sensitive enough to pick up people on bikes is another question... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15826&page=5#post-308136 Tue, 04 Jun 2019 15:24:55 +0000 acsimpson 308136@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@Hankchief, do you have a link to the full resolution plans? I can't read the text on the tweeted one.</p> <p>It would have been nice if they could have included a continuous shared use path over Lochend Road as part of the change. </p>