http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Slateford Aqueduct Closure en Tue, 19 May 2026 13:11:27 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17327&page=2#post-244050 Sat, 04 Mar 2017 23:49:46 +0000 gembo 244050@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The canal people have done something to the rough path down onto the towpath from the bridge over the road. They have made it too rocky for me to cycle up </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17327&page=2#post-244045 Sat, 04 Mar 2017 22:31:07 +0000 SRD 244045@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Now open! </p> <p>Path on the away from town side quite muddy, lots of cat eyes not working, hut otherwise all seems in order. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17327&page=2#post-243215 Mon, 20 Feb 2017 15:08:59 +0000 chrisfl 243215@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Have to admit, that I had no idea what gembo said. But suspected that it might be something to do with the aquaduct - this was useful as I have been turning off at the end of Megetland as it's tricky to get the Helios up the steps at the diversion. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17327&page=2#post-243204 Mon, 20 Feb 2017 13:41:08 +0000 gembo 243204@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>no worries</p> <p>I told ChrisFL too he had numerous minature passengers to distract him but seemed like he was going for the aqueduct to me </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17327&page=2#post-243203 Mon, 20 Feb 2017 13:39:38 +0000 jdanielp 243203@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@gembo oh, I didn't hear that at all I'm afraid, just your query about the accessibility of Lower Gilmore Place (or did I completely mishear? Apparently I did now I've read Spotted). My brain was too slow to do anything other than high five and say hi as we passed this morning. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17327&page=2#post-243200 Mon, 20 Feb 2017 13:29:37 +0000 gembo 243200@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@jdanielp</p> <p>that and me telling you the aqueduct was open maybe helped?</p> <p>The PLW (not same as LHL) in front of me heading east was reluctant to take the towpath at the footbridge despite the fence being gone until a helpful jogger appeared from the east at a point where she must have crossed the aqueduct. Lot of rubble on the towpath and places where wee diggers must have been working in the bushed but no visible change to the aqueduct </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17327&page=2#post-243188 Mon, 20 Feb 2017 11:57:07 +0000 ARobComp 243188@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Canal and roads suspiciously quiet today... Although I was heading in about 20 minutes later than usual. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17327&page=2#post-243181 Mon, 20 Feb 2017 11:30:54 +0000 jdanielp 243181@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I couldn't see the fence as I was approaching the closure from Meggetland this morning so I cautiously continued to find that the aqueduct is indeed open once again. There is quite a lot of debris on the path between the west end of the aqueduct and the bridge to Colinton Dell, but it was safely navigable and extremely quiet for the time being. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17327&page=2#post-242743 Mon, 13 Feb 2017 20:24:17 +0000 jdanielp 242743@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Hmm. No obvious closure at that junction on my way back into town again just now. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17327&page=2#post-242715 Mon, 13 Feb 2017 12:25:04 +0000 ARobComp 242715@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>That would explain why there were so many cars heading up the back way by the sport fields and park that I usually come down from Colinton because it's so quiet! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17327&page=2#post-242712 Mon, 13 Feb 2017 12:10:46 +0000 jdanielp 242712@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>There are now roadworks at the junction of Slateford Road, Lanark Road and Craiglockhart Avenue just to add to fun. I would have been predicting traffic chaos but it appears to be half term this week so I hope that they will be getting the work completed whilst the traffic is relatively light. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17327&page=2#post-242617 Fri, 10 Feb 2017 21:36:30 +0000 chrisfl 242617@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>They said closed for 5 weeks from 23rd January, so by my reckoning that set opening around Friday 24 February.</p> <p>Spotted Mr SRD and mini SRD on the way to Decathlon this afternoon. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17327&page=2#post-242613 Fri, 10 Feb 2017 21:08:22 +0000 gembo 242613@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I@hunnymonster, phew, I would not like to think I spent that much money on decathlon stuff. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17327&page=2#post-242604 Fri, 10 Feb 2017 19:47:35 +0000 Nelly 242604@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>When's it scheduled to reopen? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17327&page=2#post-242547 Fri, 10 Feb 2017 11:04:39 +0000 hunnymonster 242547@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@gembo £250 (1 point per £, 250 points wins you a £5 voucher) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17327&page=2#post-242530 Thu, 09 Feb 2017 22:02:53 +0000 gembo 242530@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@srd stenhouse path makes sense. I have a five pound voucher for decathlon. Does that mean I have spent £500 there? Seems impossible. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17327&page=2#post-242528 Thu, 09 Feb 2017 21:52:45 +0000 chrisfl 242528@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>YEs believe that it's still closed. Tram path is the way to go. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17327&page=2#post-242527 Thu, 09 Feb 2017 21:46:29 +0000 SRD 242527@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>thanks gembo. guess we'll try the tram path for our decathlon expedition. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17327&page=2#post-242518 Thu, 09 Feb 2017 20:01:51 +0000 gembo 242518@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Recognised some regulars from the towpath coming off the canal at the footbridge over A70 where the WoL path joins the towpath so I would conclude the aqueduct is still closed tonight. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17327&page=2#post-242515 Thu, 09 Feb 2017 19:49:06 +0000 SRD 242515@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Is the aqueduct still closed??!</p> <p>thanks </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17327&page=2#post-241750 Fri, 27 Jan 2017 20:44:16 +0000 Greenroofer 241750@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Met a lost guy this evening looking confused at the top of the steep ramp down to Lanark Road and wondering how to get into town. I offered route advice. It's a real shame that Scottish Canals aren't doing the same. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17327&page=2#post-241740 Fri, 27 Jan 2017 17:14:03 +0000 CJC 241740@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Thanks gembo. I ran down the WoL path this morning and found the steps that I missed in the dark.</p> <p>I also discovered that access to the A70 from the bridge is a ramp, not steps like I had previously thought.</p> <p>Noticed quite a few cyclists this morning looking lost at both end of the closure. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17327&page=2#post-241656 Thu, 26 Jan 2017 20:27:14 +0000 gembo 241656@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Dovecote Loan then round to the other end of redhallbank road. From there there is a wee path down to the WoL path. Bit narrow and steep </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17327&page=2#post-241653 Thu, 26 Jan 2017 20:17:39 +0000 gembo 241653@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@CJC</p> <p>Well now it is possible to get on down that way for sure. That is before the ponderosa house.- basically same place but you go past the footbridge and double back on slightly better surface and slightly better lit route. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17327#post-241652 Thu, 26 Jan 2017 20:14:36 +0000 Greenroofer 241652@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>My email has been passed to 'the project engineer'</p> <p>This evening I was cycling up the steep winding narrow blind bit from the towpath onto the bridge over the canal to the WoL path and A70 when I met a dumper truck coming the other way and filling the whole path. Lucky I wasn't a five year old on foot or a bike, because the driver wouldn't have seen me and would have driven straight over me.</p> <p>There is no signage to warn anyone to be aware of vehicles moving on the towpath and there was no evidence of any banksman in front of the vehicle. There was some chap behind, but he wasn't a great deal of use there. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17327#post-241651 Thu, 26 Jan 2017 19:53:01 +0000 CJC 241651@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Good letter Greenroofer, look forward to seeing their reply. </p> <p>I went up Redhall Bank Road yesterday but couldn't work out in the dark how to join the WoL or the towpath.<br /> @gembo - is this where you were suggesting to join? Traffic was too heavy to try to cross the A70. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17327#post-241591 Wed, 25 Jan 2017 21:22:03 +0000 Greenroofer 241591@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Grr. Have just sent this. Really underwhelmed by the 'cyclists can get stuffed' attitude of these works.</p> <p>"<br /> Dear Scottish Canals</p> <p>I write to make a formal complaint to Scottish Canals about the management of the maintenance work to the Slateford Aqueduct. Specifically, I want to complain about the poor provision for people cycling on the Union Canal towpath during that maintenance work. The lack of significant provision is causing me, and other people who cycle on the canal, material avoidable inconvenience and is exposing me and other people who cycle to significant additional risk that I do not believe has been effectively mitigated.</p> <p>For the avoidance of doubt, I am not complaining that the aqueduct has had to be closed. I understand the need for maintenance work, and accept that sometimes this causes inconvenience.</p> <p>My specific concerns are:</p> <p><ol type="1"><li>At the western end of the works near Redhall Park (and, I assume, at the eastern end), there is no provision for cycles. There are several large signs directing people on foot, but no signs directing people on bicycles.</li><li>On the assumption that the preferred route (as referenced on the Scottish Canals website) is through Redhall Park, there is no signage in Redhall Park offering directions for cycling.</li><li>The entrance to Redhall Park is currently being used as a pound for plant and contractors' vehicles, which I assume from damage to the park and towpath are linked to the aqueduct work. There is no signage for cycling in this area, although a narrow fenced route appeared yesterday, but again this is only signed for pedestrians. If these plant and vehicles are not related to the aqueduct works, then it is extremely disappointing that there is no evidence of co-ordination between the park authorities and Scottish Canals when Redhall Park was being recommended as the preferred cycling route.</li><li>There is no evidence of signage on either the Lanark Road or Inglis Green Road to indicate the preferred route for cyclists.</li><li>There is no evidence of signage in the same area to warn people in cars to expect heavier-than usual cycle traffic.</li><li>There is no evidence of an attempt to manage the traffic flow reduce the risk to cyclists (for example with the implementation of a TTRO to limit speeds or restrict parking). In fact, there are currently roadworks in progress on Lanark Road that make cycling east along it particularly challenging.</li></ol></p> <p>The roads recommended as a route are hostile to people on bicycles, particularly at rush hour. The recommended routes require several changes of lane and challenging right turns, and are only suitable for the very strongest and most confident cyclists.</p> <p>I reject the suggestion that there are multiple different routes people on bicycles could take past the aqueduct, and that it's impractical to mark them on the ground or to take action to make them safer. In my view Scottish Canals should have identified the safest route for people on bicycles (perhaps the one shown on website, or perhaps an alternative) and should have then taken steps to signpost that route, to warn other users of that route and to put in place measures to reduce the risk of people using that route.</p> <p>I would like to see the following action taken:</p> <p><ol type="1"><li>Installation of signage along the whole recommended diversion route to show people on bicycles where to go and to warn other users of the route about the presence of cycles.</li><li>Installation of an appropriate route for cycles through the entrance to Redhall Park.</li><li>Confirmation that Scottish Canals has reviewed its approach to these works, and that future works will make better provision for cycles.</li></ol></p> <p>I would be grateful for your immediate acknowledgement of this note, and for a substantive response by Friday 3 February.</p> <p>Yours aye<br /> Greenroofer" </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17327#post-241459 Tue, 24 Jan 2017 10:33:26 +0000 jdanielp 241459@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>It really didn't help that there were roadworks shutting off the east-bound bus lane just before the Water of Leith Visitors' Centre last night, but I found that the 'official' diversion was ok this morning despite traffic (thank you for highlighting the possibility of taking the wrong left turn CJC), although there was a van parked on and nearly blocking the path at Meggetgate (I glared at the driver who looked back at me angrily - I didn't think it was worth asking him to move) and several parked vehicles partly blocking the wider part of the entrance to Redhall Park. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17327#post-241452 Mon, 23 Jan 2017 23:22:01 +0000 gembo 241452@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@eddie-h even 30mph would be good as in this crazy old world in which we live, that stretch is 40mph. Not cool. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17327#post-241451 Mon, 23 Jan 2017 23:18:58 +0000 neddie 241451@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>You'd think that in a cycle-friendly* nation such as Scotland, they'd impose a temporary 20mph limit on that section of the Lanark Rd, due to the additional volume of cyclists.</p> <p>*Don't make me laugh - we're simply expendable obstacles.. </p>