http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Upgrading WoL path to Balerno en Sat, 16 May 2026 06:46:19 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17340&page=3#post-361424 Mon, 13 Jun 2022 16:40:26 +0000 amir 361424@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Another thread implies the Pencaitland path is Ultitrec - see <a href="http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16289" rel="nofollow">http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16289</a></p> <p>It seems to be in reasonable nick after a number of years, even with horse riding on it. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17340&page=3#post-361422 Mon, 13 Jun 2022 16:34:35 +0000 Murun Buchstansangur 361422@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Can't remember if it had Ultritrec but the SRUC at Oatridge has a <a href="https://www.pathsforall.org.uk/cmp-the-national-demonstration-site">demonstration site</a> for path surfaces, as well as other path features </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17340&page=3#post-361420 Mon, 13 Jun 2022 16:20:32 +0000 amir 361420@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Is this the same surface as the Pencaitland path? That surface is much better than what was there before. I have seen plenty of roadbikes on it. It is a bit dusty on dry days and the bike will need a clean. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17340&page=3#post-361417 Mon, 13 Jun 2022 15:33:18 +0000 steveo 361417@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Aye, I've probably not used it much. I generally go up and come down before there. Having said that I have come down there a few times recently and never noticed much of a difference in the surface, hopefully be a bit less muddy. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17340&page=3#post-361412 Mon, 13 Jun 2022 14:44:29 +0000 Dave 361412@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Yeah, only from Currie kirk upstream towards (but not quite as far as) Balerno.</p> <p>It's definitely better but it's not great. I'm not sure about tyre wear. I guess it will be in between dirt and tarmac, closer to dirt as the top surface is still relatively loose. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17340&page=3#post-361401 Mon, 13 Jun 2022 12:28:02 +0000 steveo 361401@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I'm trying to work out what bit was done before (5 years ago?) and how much I may have ridden on it before. But it looks like it was from Balerno down? I don't usually go much further than Colinton before slogging up. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17340&page=3#post-361393 Mon, 13 Jun 2022 11:26:07 +0000 gembo 361393@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>after the old railway was turned into the wol path it has had a variety of surfaces but mostly hardcore and mud. the whin dust was a disaster. the path is hard as rock in summer but soft as mud in winter</p> <p>the ultitrec starts with a degree of bounce then beds down after a year to be like the rest of the path in summer and a bit more dry in winter.</p> <p>there is a diversion at redhall now as they have started at the east end where the path is already paved. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17340&page=3#post-361389 Mon, 13 Jun 2022 10:59:23 +0000 steveo 361389@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Having argued the path should be tarmac'd a few years ago I've found myself riding up there on average 3 times a month in the last year or so, to get in to the pentlands, and now I'm starting to worry about the wear on my (fairly) expensive mtb tyres*. </p> <p>What bits were done a few years ago? How is this stuff on soft rubber?</p> <p>*yes I'm a hypocrite**</p> <p>**actually I still think its a win for the greater good but those tyres are more expensive than the last set I put on the car. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17340&page=3#post-300750 Tue, 05 Feb 2019 14:48:36 +0000 gembo 300750@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@frenchy, yes I said it, (see above) it is a success but no one else apart from me is saying it in an official way, but this is how it begins </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17340&page=3#post-300749 Tue, 05 Feb 2019 14:47:37 +0000 Frenchy 300749@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>think you might have made that up @Frenchy. </em></p> <p>Blast, I was fairly sure you'd said it too. Ta. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17340&page=3#post-300747 Tue, 05 Feb 2019 14:45:10 +0000 gembo 300747@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>think you might have made that up @Frenchy. It has only very recently been subjected to any frost at all given the mild winter. THey delayed laying it in April as conditions were rank.</p> <p>It is however a winner. If the horse riders can be forced to stay off it for the period at the start [they ignored this which was not great given how mediocre the laying was already).</p> <p>I think they improved the drainage as it is way more dry than the rest of the WoL. Also when the path really dried out in the summer it was softer than the path thus helping the runners.</p> <p>It really is fab.I know the guy who helped to uintroduce it and will be lobbying hard for CALA to stump up funding. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17340&page=3#post-300728 Tue, 05 Feb 2019 11:29:15 +0000 Frenchy 300728@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I'm sure I read somewhere that this trial was successful and they're planning to upgrade more of the path.</p> <p>Can't find it again now; am I just making it up? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17340&page=2#post-278823 Wed, 28 Mar 2018 07:09:45 +0000 gembo 278823@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The stretch just before Currie at the wold renowned international design centre ( or family home) in the former engine shed is often one very long puddle so will be interesting to see how ultitrec copes. I think mud will make some kind of return </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17340&page=2#post-278819 Tue, 27 Mar 2018 23:52:55 +0000 unhurt 278819@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I'm going to miss the mud... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17340&page=2#post-278788 Tue, 27 Mar 2018 15:17:02 +0000 jonty 278788@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>now a construction site for one huge house or flats.</em> &lt;&lt; the former I understand </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17340&page=2#post-278786 Tue, 27 Mar 2018 14:56:53 +0000 Moose 278786@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The ultitrec laying guide:</p> <p>1. INTRODUCTION<br /> ULTITREC is a 100% recycled pathway material that provides a more sustainable approach to footpaths and cycle tracks. Made from selected waste products from highway reconstruction and maintenance works, ULTITREC provides an inexpensive but durable footpath surfacing, especially in rural locations.</p> <p>2. RECOMMENDED SUB-BASE<br /> ULTITREC should be laid on a well-drained, well compacted and stable sub-base such as Recycled Type 1 Granular sub-base from Tarmac. ULTITREC will provide a dense even pathway material similar to primary materials by following the recommendations in this guide.</p> <p> 3. GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS<br /> Use of an asphalt mini-paver is strongly recommended where width and topography allows. ULTITREC must be laid with supported edges and the use of tanalised timber edging is recommended. Where hand laying is necessary, care should be taken to avoid segregation of coarse and fine materials.</p> <p>4. STORAGE<br /> Where possible ULTITREC should be laid on the day of delivery. Should stockpiling be unavoidable then ULTITREC should be protected (sheeting or otherwise) from adverse conditions (rain and drying) to retain the mixture at the correct moisture content for handling and laying.</p> <p>5. LAYING<br /> Target compacted thickness should be 100mm with a minimum of 50mm at any point.</p> <p>6. COMPACTION<br /> The use of a type 120 roller is recommended to ensure adequate compaction, where other forms of compaction e.g. hand compaction are used the contractor should ensure ULTITREC is fully compacted. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17340&page=2#post-278775 Tue, 27 Mar 2018 13:48:23 +0000 gembo 278775@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Thanks McD I will not go down that way then until Friday. When they open it half way through might be a bit rought the surface, presumably they will be scraping the mud off the top layer.</p> <p>The 1 km stretch ends at what was the one hole golf course but is now a construction site for one huge house or flats. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17340&page=2#post-278773 Tue, 27 Mar 2018 13:14:29 +0000 McD 278773@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>This from Forestry &amp; Natural Heritage yesterday:<br /> "we’ve got a 1km trial of Ultitrec surfacing going down on the Water of Leith path (also NCN 75) starting tomorrow in the Currie/Balerno area. Works should be finished by April 6th and the route will be open over the 4 day Easter weekend. Attachments give you a little more info on the closure."<br /> Short notice as using up funding.<br /> <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B9hW7WXFHdTjSDA3MzlnZV92NGFZcHJQb0tiZ21kSktVYS1V">Report</a><br /> <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B9hW7WXFHdTjYTR6Y3JlaklHTmhBc2hFcUJ2aTQxQ2N0WUdN">Map</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17340&page=2#post-242199 Mon, 06 Feb 2017 10:45:46 +0000 steveo 242199@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>On a similar note any one know what the deal is with the dirt track that runs around the back of Forester between South Gyle and Broomhall? Its nicely tarmaced at each end but its a mess in between. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17340&page=2#post-242196 Mon, 06 Feb 2017 09:45:17 +0000 chdot 242196@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"Surely a compulsory purchase in order."</p> <p>As previously discussed (generally) 'This is Edinburgh'. </p> <p>Additionally, in this case, I suspect the land is 'worth' more than the Council thinks it's worth paying. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17340&page=2#post-242195 Mon, 06 Feb 2017 09:29:56 +0000 Dave 242195@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>After the West Shore Rd warehouse owner's decision to build a fence on the extreme of their boundary, surrounding the new improved prom access and picnic area, I suspect the council will be even more cautious of grey areas like this than they were before.</em></p> <p>Weird! I drive past this on my commute (when I drive) and I thought it was something the council had done to stop people pitching up in caravans and living on the site...</p> <p>Can you not access the prom here at all any more? Surely a compulsory purchase in order. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17340&page=2#post-242185 Sun, 05 Feb 2017 21:22:12 +0000 chdot 242185@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"I think there was debate about who owned the land"</p> <p>Yes, but I think it was resolved YEARS ago. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17340&page=2#post-242184 Sun, 05 Feb 2017 21:03:22 +0000 Klaxon 242184@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>After the West Shore Rd warehouse owner's decision to build a fence on the extreme of their boundary, surrounding the new improved prom access and picnic area, I suspect the council will be even more cautious of grey areas like this than they were before. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17340&page=2#post-242179 Sun, 05 Feb 2017 18:59:01 +0000 gembo 242179@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@hankchief, do not quote me but I think there was debate about who owned the land and whether it were owt to do with Tesco? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17340&page=2#post-242177 Sun, 05 Feb 2017 18:09:51 +0000 HankChief 242177@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Is there any reason why the council haven't tarmac'd the path through the woods at the top of DMains park and the route from the back of DMains Tesco to the Blackhall path?</p> <p>Both are well used by foot &amp; bikes but not horses... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17340&page=2#post-241938 Wed, 01 Feb 2017 12:58:56 +0000 AKen 241938@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Donkey Lane is marked on older maps a being of road-width rather than the narrow track it is now. Don't know what surface it had then but was probably a better route than now. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17340&page=2#post-241934 Wed, 01 Feb 2017 11:41:36 +0000 jonty 241934@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I meant to put a question mark after "re" but it looked a bit weird. Feel like it must have been at some point judging by the surface now. Or maybe only metalled? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17340&page=2#post-241914 Tue, 31 Jan 2017 20:12:23 +0000 gembo 241914@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>When did donkey lane ever have Tarmac? It is a river bed? Dem progeny would<br /> Have great larks getting pushed up it this weather.</p> <p>Used to like that route though from wester hailes up to the scotty dog kennels then left up to nether Currie, </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17340&page=2#post-241893 Tue, 31 Jan 2017 14:26:33 +0000 jonty 241893@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>In other news, when is Donkey Lane getting re-tarmac'd and integrated into an off-road route to the Canal? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17340&page=2#post-241886 Tue, 31 Jan 2017 13:11:27 +0000 CJC 241886@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Cycled up the WoL from the bridge over the A70 to Currie last night.</p> <p>As Dave said above, completely muddy. I had to wash my bike as soon as I got home - bike sounding a bit worse for wear.</p> <p>I enjoy the non-tarmacked surface for running, but it's horrible for walking or cycling on. </p>