http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Harrison Rd Closure en Thu, 18 Jun 2026 01:01:52 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21702&page=3#post-383522 Wed, 18 Mar 2026 14:49:24 +0000 MediumDave 383522@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The relevant entry from the road report:</p> <p>"""<br /> Canal bridge - surveys complete, underside strengthening should finish late March with topside works to follow. Some towpath closures likely, dates TBC.<br /> """</p> <p>Clear as mud what these "topside works" actually are. Given the strengthening is supposed to be finished in days it seems surprising that the rest will take a year. </p> <p>Hopefully cycle/ped access can be maintained.</p> <p>I note that apart from removing the remaining footpath, nothing at all has been done to the other bridge near St Michaels.</p> <p>There were even more cables under the old footpath </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21702&page=3#post-383521 Wed, 18 Mar 2026 14:47:08 +0000 gembo 383521@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Been watching them going in all week. Morningsider also spotted them with me last night. So good to know what they are for and maybe we might not be affected</p> <p>Detective JDP - what are the pink numbers for? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21702&page=3#post-383520 Wed, 18 Mar 2026 14:36:47 +0000 jdanielp 383520@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Just spoke to a workie building a structure of buoyancy blocks which will go under the bridge. I was told that the canal bridge will be shut for about a year but they think that towpath access will largely be maintained... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21702&page=3#post-383519 Wed, 18 Mar 2026 12:52:36 +0000 chrisfl 383519@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I noticed some activity this morning and found this:</p> <p><a href="https://www.scottishcanals.co.uk/boating/ongoing-works/edinburgh-harrison-road-temporary-road-restriction-and-traffic-regulation" rel="nofollow">https://www.scottishcanals.co.uk/boating/ongoing-works/edinburgh-harrison-road-temporary-road-restriction-and-traffic-regulation</a></p> <p>Sounds like all navigation under the B45 she will be suspended until Friday and then for later works from Monday 30th until Sunday 5th May between Midday and 8 pm </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21702&page=3#post-383305 Tue, 24 Feb 2026 19:27:12 +0000 gembo 383305@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Canal towpath under the bridge still. Clear despite what angle grinders said last week </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21702&page=3#post-383301 Tue, 24 Feb 2026 00:11:50 +0000 cb 383301@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Thanks! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21702&page=3#post-383300 Mon, 23 Feb 2026 23:55:49 +0000 MediumDave 383300@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Yes it is </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21702&page=3#post-383298 Mon, 23 Feb 2026 23:24:51 +0000 cb 383298@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Is the northern bridge closed to pedestrians at the moment? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21702&page=3#post-383271 Fri, 20 Feb 2026 10:14:19 +0000 gembo 383271@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I took a bad detour yesterday from the WoL path up the road to Colinton. Meant I stayed on the main road a while down to Craiglockhart. I did meet Mr Bill running the towpath and after he told me to get to work I came upon some chaps with angle grinders who have moved the wee gates on the towpath to a 45 degree angle and repainted them. They indicated that the bridge further west was closed. I asked how long for. They said at least a week. Ha. Not wrong but i suspect a lot llonger than a week. THe scaffolding is however reducing on North bridge so maybe they can fix old rusty bridges? </p> <p>NB the correct WoL Path diversion, un signposted heading east is to. Bash up the gravel track at what surely was the station for the mill [a house now but with a bizarre outdoor stone stairway up to the attic] THis spits you out on the road or series of potholes down to Colinton but before the bridge take the road on the left where the Tories used to have an office back down onto the path THis is also the route in reverse [again not well signposted] </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21702&page=3#post-383216 Sun, 15 Feb 2026 17:26:34 +0000 MediumDave 383216@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>So apparently they have closed the footpath a day early. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21702&page=3#post-383185 Thu, 12 Feb 2026 13:18:00 +0000 Dave 383185@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I can't tell from the timeline when my commute along the canal will be blocked. From end of March 2026 to August 2026? Or finished by March 2026 (seems extremely unlikely) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21702&page=3#post-383183 Thu, 12 Feb 2026 12:45:15 +0000 Arellcat 383183@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><blockquote>Mr. Prosser shook his finger at him for a bit, then stopped and put it away again.</p> <p>“What do you mean, why’s it got to be built?” he said. “It’s a <strike>bypass</strike> bridge. You’ve got to build <strike>bypasses</strike> bridges.”</p> <p><strike>Bypasses</strike> Bridges are devices that allow some people to dash from point A to point B very fast while other people dash from point B to point A very fast. People living at point C, being a point directly in between, are often to wonder what’s so great about point A that so many people from point B are so keen to get there, and what’s so great about point B that so many people from point A are so keen to get there. They often wish that people would just once and for all work out where the hell they wanted to be.</blockquote> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21702&page=3#post-383181 Thu, 12 Feb 2026 12:18:39 +0000 neddie 383181@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>So in little over a year, they've managed to procure and build a bridge, and strengthen another. Meanwhile the residents and park goers have enjoyed peaceful, less polluted, less dangerous streets.</p> <p>If only they could act so quickly on building cycle lanes and LTNs...</p> <p>But cars eh...?</p> <p><blockquote>due to the impact of congestion along Harrison Gardens/Shandon Place, we plan to open both to traffic simultaneously</blockquote></p> <p>That about says it all - they expect intrusive traffic and congestion to return - if only there was a better way... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21702&page=3#post-383180 Thu, 12 Feb 2026 12:12:11 +0000 chrisfl 383180@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Pushing our bikes on the footpath over the weekend, had a nice discussion with someone about how there really any rush to reopen the road, as it's much nicer closed.</p> <p>However, It does seem like things are going to be moving - just seen this update on a local Facebook group:</p> <p>HARRISON ROAD, SHANDON - UPDATE</p> <p>Harrison Road Bridge (over path)</p> <p>Precast concrete beams for the new superstructure are in production with estimated delivery end of March. Footpath above and below the bridge to close week commencing 16th February with demolition works mid-March. Path to be closed until completion. Deck reconstruction will follow April-August, when the bridge should reopen.</p> <p>Harrison Road Canal Bridge</p> <p>Investigations and assessment completed and progressing strengthening to reopen with a 7.5t weight limit. Keen to avoid working during the high season and, subject to engagement with Scottish Canals, work should be finished by the end of March. Towpath will be closed but we will advise once construction planning is underway. A trief kerb will be added to the carriageway to prevent vehicles from mounting the kerb. Canal Bridge should be complete before the Road Bridge, but due to the impact of congestion along Harrison Gardens/Shandon Place, we plan to open both to traffic simultaneously.</p> <p>Summary of Key Dates:</p> <p> • Closure of footpath above and below Road Bridge – 16th February 2026 – August 2026<br /> • Delivery of new precast concrete beams – Expected end of March 2026<br /> • Canal Bridge underside strengthening works – End of March 2026<br /> • Canal Bridge topside works – TBC but will likely have to reopen alongside the Road Bridge.<br /> • Project completion date – August 2026 </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21702&page=3#post-383178 Thu, 12 Feb 2026 10:49:21 +0000 MediumDave 383178@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>This morning there was a sign on the St Michaels side of the closed bridge starting that the footpath would be closed from 16th Feb (next Monday) "for bridge repairs". </p> <p>So things might finally be happening. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21702&page=3#post-382429 Fri, 12 Dec 2025 11:22:52 +0000 MediumDave 382429@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Went past later than usual this morning and work was happening on the underside of the bridge. </p> <p>The topside crew cleaning graffiti off the compound walls didn't know when the bridge would shut completely </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21702&page=3#post-381375 Wed, 01 Oct 2025 17:00:49 +0000 MediumDave 381375@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Update from another local councillor</p> <p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/marieclair4morningside/posts/harrison-road-bridge-update-councillors-have-been-updated-on-the-ongoing-works-a/783484501055215/" rel="nofollow">https://www.facebook.com/marieclair4morningside/posts/harrison-road-bridge-update-councillors-have-been-updated-on-the-ongoing-works-a/783484501055215/</a></p> <p>Quite astonishing they haven't been able to identify the owner of all the utilities even now. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21702&page=3#post-381356 Tue, 30 Sep 2025 13:59:39 +0000 Morningsider 381356@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@neddie - I have never heard of a Scottish Council being sued for implementing an LTN. The statutory requirements for implementing an LTN are actually pretty straightforward and Council officers are well versed in their use. They would really have to mess up for there to be any chance of a successful legal challenge. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21702&page=2#post-381355 Tue, 30 Sep 2025 13:56:58 +0000 SRD 381355@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@Spitfyre - we should go back to the community council and confuse them some more... </p> <p>Personally I don't think the Polwarth changes will be sufficient to divert vehicles to either Harrison Rd or Shandon. They'll all just continue to be rubbish.</p> <p>Agree with @neddie (there's always a first time!) that we don't want big one way thoroughfares. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21702&page=2#post-381354 Tue, 30 Sep 2025 13:49:43 +0000 neddie 381354@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I'm not saying any one-way scheme doesn't have merit, but one thing you have to be very careful of is that one-way streets encourage speeding. This is because drivers "know" there'll be nothing coming the other way, so can charge round blind bends and junctions, never mind the straight sections.</p> <p>I think David Key (if it's him saying that) is being disingenious with the "No LTN as people have threatened to sue council" statement. No one has successfully sued a council over an LTN that has gone through the correct process.</p> <p>Maybe @Morningsider can confirm...?</p> <p>Also, there is no reason to believe that North-South through-traffic through the area needs to be maintained - this is outdated 20th Century thinking. Let the through-traffic stay on the main roads where it belongs. Start from this negotiating position and work back... that way you'll get *something*.</p> <p>If people only ever ask for incremental improvements, we'll never get anywhere. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21702&page=2#post-381347 Tue, 30 Sep 2025 13:14:43 +0000 spytfyre 381347@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The updates are painfully expected<br /> No LTN as people have threatened to sue council<br /> Ashley is getting more traction with the school and getting traffic calming measures<br /> Clr Key was speaking with my neighbour who said he was less than encouraging.<br /> I had words with him and he rejects my assessment of the story my neighbour told me.</p> <p>While at the previous community council meeting the Polwarth mafia were happy to show they are getting rid of the roundabout and a redesign to include wider pavements ets so with the roads on either side of HR getting narrowing it looks like the 4x4 Watsons tank battalion will be back in force. The canal bridge should open again soon but with eight limit (not width limit which is the problem)<br /> The bridge deck is going to cost ma-hillions to replace and the usual fight to get the pipes and utility runs owners to step forward and help with the design is sllwing it down dramatically so not likely to open until a good way into 2026.</p> <p>I would LOVE to get the next Community Council support from fellow cyclists (and dog walkers, joggers, humans in general) to support SOMETHING getting changed.</p> <p>One thing the (I assume <em>leader</em> of) Polwarthians had suggested struck me as worth a trial run is a one way system. Clr Key argues that will not reduce traffic as we would end up with 2 x roads worth of south bound</p> <p>I would suggest Ashley is North bound with 38 bus allowed south<br /> Harrison South bound as the junction with Slateford is working WELL with no buses stuck at top of Ardmillan waiting to turn right and causing a tail back all the way to Dalry<br /> Polwarth North bound another thing being there is no south bound from the underpass other than cycles<br /> Viewforth is currently two way with lights, make it south bound because the new road up from Western Approach brings traffic mostly leaving the city given the left turn only from WA</p> <p>Final plea, we should be pushing for the WA to be a bus and cycle lane from the city as the 30 limit means it is "safer" and from canning street etc there is a stupid roundabout way of avoiding this at present </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21702&page=2#post-380899 Fri, 29 Aug 2025 14:32:53 +0000 neddie 380899@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Found a video of a most excellent width restriction </p> <p><a href="https://bsky.app/profile/davidho.bsky.social/post/3l42vqeznmn2y" rel="nofollow">https://bsky.app/profile/davidho.bsky.social/post/3l42vqeznmn2y</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21702&page=2#post-380607 Sat, 16 Aug 2025 08:31:47 +0000 SRD 380607@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Doubtless Ashley terrace gets the bulk of drivers coming from the west, but fairly confident (but obviously no hard data) that google maps / satnav is directing a number of drivers coming from east and north to instead use Yeaman place and then take the right onto Temple Park crescent to head back towards Harrison Rd. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21702&page=2#post-380601 Fri, 15 Aug 2025 17:19:42 +0000 chdot 380601@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>So</p> <p>‘LTN NOW’… </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21702&page=2#post-380600 Fri, 15 Aug 2025 17:04:16 +0000 Murun Buchstansangur 380600@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>“where (some of) it had gone instead”</p> <p>Well most of it is on Ashley Terrace/Shandon Place, not helped by Craiglockhart Ave and the S end of Viewforth having themselves been closed at times during the same period. Also rat running through the entirely inappropriate Merchiston Grove, as well as E/W along Harrison Gdns/W Bryson Rd. For the idiots who prefer to drive over the speed bumps in the middle of the road to ‘save their suspension’ rather than give 1.5m (or even 50cm) to obviously approaching cyclists, some wing mirrors have had to be boxed :(</p> <p>Outside of Harrison Rd, it’s all been deeply unpleasant. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21702&page=2#post-380599 Fri, 15 Aug 2025 15:50:35 +0000 chdot 380599@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>“Politicians and councillors need to get over the idea that they "need" to collect traffic information before and after implementation of an LTN“</p> <p>Yes</p> <p>I was more interested in the idea of whether/how much traffic had reduced because of bridge closure and where (some of) it had gone instead - more to prove reopening to motors was not required rather than ‘justify’/argue for LTNs (etc). </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21702&page=2#post-380598 Fri, 15 Aug 2025 15:13:48 +0000 SRD 380598@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"some waffle about how the parking restrictions intended to deter out of towners parking free then getting bus to town only backfired with angry locals so there is no pleasing everybody"</p> <p>he's not wrong. I remember the first push for parking controls (you probably do too) driven by local residents. This was not long after the horrific fire in the Shandon colonies.... I was shocked to recently see people local to HP / Shandon complaining about the parking restrictions in the usual online places. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21702&page=2#post-380595 Fri, 15 Aug 2025 13:41:59 +0000 neddie 380595@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Politicians and councillors need to get over the idea that they "need" to collect traffic information before and after implementation of an LTN</p> <p>We know that LTNs work - all the evidence from the UK, and around the world, shows that they do</p> <p>Just show some leadership and crack on and get them implemented, JFC! Otherwise, we are doomed as a species </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21702&page=2#post-380590 Fri, 15 Aug 2025 12:50:40 +0000 chdot 380590@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>“Maybe habits will change given the time the road remains closed,“</p> <p>By definition they already have. </p> <p>Key Q is ‘how much would things return to <em>as before</em> without any work/alternative options. </p> <p>Obviously the answer is essentially unknowable in advance and probably unprovable after (if) bridge(s) reopening without adequate information collection. </p> <p>‘Keeping everyone happy’, will always be impossible, but it would help if more politicians and officials were less ‘nervous’ (apparently) about not trying to maintain the status quo around cars/drivers being disproportionately ‘accommodated’. </p> <p>Is there any calculation on the value of fixing these bridges for motor vehicles?</p> <p>We have a ‘culture’ where ‘people have cars and their abilities to drive <em>easily</em> from a to b, c, d etc. must be regarded as normal/reasonable’. </p> <p>And anyone suggesting anything different is ‘wanting everyone to cycle all the time’… </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21702&page=2#post-380579 Fri, 15 Aug 2025 09:17:49 +0000 spytfyre 380579@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Saw the trial pit - the old curved stone of what may have been the original gutter remains.<br /> David Key replied to my email about the LTN idea that he has already tried this or similar and then some waffle about how the parking restrictions intended to deter out of towners parking free then getting bus to town only backfired with angry locals so there is no pleasing everybody (Sherlock has no :poop emoji:)<br /> And also wanted to close Viewforth but that and other roads do just mean there is no north-south option left but to go to Home Street and up through Bruntsfield causing even more of a bottle neck at the junctions there.<br /> As I said to him pleasing everyone all the time is impossible<br /> Pleasing one person all the time is also impossible<br /> The jam in the middle is pleasing as many as often as possible but even that is minefield territory and anyone in politics has to suffer the backlash of those not happy.</p> <p>Maybe habits will change given the time the road remains closed, </p>