http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Leamington Lift Bridge en Sat, 16 May 2026 07:25:03 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6115&page=5#post-101920 Mon, 25 Feb 2013 16:46:12 +0000 kaputnik 101920@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Saw a scooter this morning ride up to the lift bridge from Fountainbridge and move as if to cross. However the Quangals Scotland (I think the new name for BW) man was out gritting the lift bridge and it looked as if the scooter may have dismounted to push across. I have once before seen a scooter drive across the bridge. I wonder if it's completely unconnected to the parking wardens' scooter depot being located within 30m of that bridge? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6115&page=5#post-76806 Tue, 03 Jul 2012 17:01:29 +0000 chdot 76806@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><img src="http://www.scottishcanals.co.uk/media/1296315/steve%20dunlop.jpg"><br /> "<br /> Steve Dunlop - Executive Director<br /> Steve joined British Waterways in 2006 as Director Scotland. Formerly, he was Director of Regeneration for Newcastle City Council and, prior to that, held a Directorship at Falkirk Council. Steve is regarded as a ‘regeneration specialist’ and is a director of a range of joint venture property companies looking after British Waterways’ interests. He has a wide variety of interests, including cycling and photography.</p> <p>"</p> <p><a href="http://www.scottishcanals.co.uk/corporate-home/about-us/meet-the-board" rel="nofollow">http://www.scottishcanals.co.uk/corporate-home/about-us/meet-the-board</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6115&page=5#post-76805 Tue, 03 Jul 2012 16:58:03 +0000 chdot 76805@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"These changes allow us to appoint a board much closer to Scotland's canal users"</p> <p>Well they'll need a 'cyclist' - any volunteers here?? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6115&page=5#post-76803 Tue, 03 Jul 2012 15:46:42 +0000 steveo 76803@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>ironically British Waterways now only covers Scotland.</em></p> <p>"...in Scotland, it will be known as Scottish Canals and Scottish government ministers will be in charge. "</p> <p><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-18682918" rel="nofollow">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-18682918</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6115&page=5#post-72395 Mon, 28 May 2012 12:08:58 +0000 Arellcat 72395@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I used the lift bridge on Saturday when heading home from Haymarket. It occurred to me: why did 'they' choose to have a gate that was only a third of the total width, and fixed gates for the rest? Why not two big swing half-gates, or a one-third gate and a hinged two-thirds gate like people have on their driveways?</p> <p>It's still better than that stupid stupid stupid zigzag path (aka the Hanging Garden). </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6115&page=5#post-72360 Mon, 28 May 2012 10:07:42 +0000 Wilmington's Cow 72360@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Rode over it twice this morning, and it's useable with caution and common sense (on the part of both cyclists and pedestrians). So it's doomed to failure.</p> <p>It certainly creates some... erm... uncertainty. I was riding through, pedestrian starts walking through on the same side as I'm rolling; I slowly switch to the other side of the bollard to exit; pedestrian does a wee shimmy-step as she realises I'm giving way to her. Most unsatisfactory. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6115&page=5#post-72341 Mon, 28 May 2012 09:12:32 +0000 alibali 72341@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>I'd give it 1 out of 10 and rate it for advanced cyclists only!</em></p> <p>Cheers, Laidback. Made my day! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6115&page=5#post-71936 Thu, 24 May 2012 13:49:54 +0000 Klaxon 71936@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>A cyclist and a pedestrian came to blows just a few weeks after the usable space was narrowed to 1/3 of what it was? No way :P </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6115&page=5#post-71657 Wed, 23 May 2012 10:00:23 +0000 chdot 71657@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"chdot - yes, ironically British Waterways now only covers Scotland."</p> <p>"</p> <p>APPCG ‏@allpartycycling<br /> We are hearing that British Waterways will be renamed the Canal &amp; River Trust</p> <p>"</p> <p>New campaign - <a href="http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6690" rel="nofollow">http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6690</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6115&page=5#post-71580 Tue, 22 May 2012 21:34:18 +0000 gembo 71580@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>There was a smiley polis on the lift bridge again at lunchtime when I passed </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6115&page=4#post-71579 Tue, 22 May 2012 21:23:58 +0000 LaidBack 71579@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Alibali ~ of course you should enjoy the challenge of this badly worked out bit of a signed route. I just think it's odd that someone thought it was ok to encourage cycling here when other places more suited are blocked. The ramp is unusable by trailer bikes and forces cyclists and pedestrians into conflict on every corner. I'd give it 1 out of 10 and rate it for advanced cyclists only! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6115&page=4#post-71543 Tue, 22 May 2012 16:08:18 +0000 alibali 71543@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Laidback,</p> <p>Does that mean I'm not supposed to ride up/down the zig-zag? Highlight of my route to work! It even has convenient foot-rests for stopping to let pedestrians use the steps. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6115&page=4#post-71539 Tue, 22 May 2012 15:30:13 +0000 wingpig 71539@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>It almost has <a href="http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2696">beacons</a>, albeit ones which are only visible as such in the dark... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6115&page=4#post-71538 Tue, 22 May 2012 15:26:55 +0000 kaputnik 71538@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>BW / SC have now installed themselves amber flashing beacons on their new fence at Leamington Lift Bridge. The cyclists del monte signs dissapeared around the same time. </p> <p>You definitely have to take the bridge slower and be more aware now, as if a pedestrian suddenly changes direction and decides they want to go through the left gap and not the right gap, you don't have as many options left to avoid them.</p> <p>But it's not mpossible to cross the bridge. It's just silly. And pointless. The lights / gates / fences / klaxon response is the sort of thing that makes the Daily Wail scream "IT'S HEALTH AND SAFETY GONE MAD".</p> <p>I await the rest of the canal being fenced off, just incase. After all, it doesn't have beacons and klaxons. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6115&page=4#post-71509 Tue, 22 May 2012 13:16:07 +0000 Morningsider 71509@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>chdot - yes, ironically British Waterways now only covers Scotland. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6115&page=4#post-71508 Tue, 22 May 2012 13:13:20 +0000 LaidBack 71508@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Cyclist Dismount signs are there to provide the majority with something else to moan about.</p> <p>They are rarely used in anywhere sensible like the zig zag shared access ramp across the Western Approach Road. There they have signs to suggest cycling is safe even though there are stairs lined up with the path.</p> <p>They are always used where cycling would be possible or tempting - Princes Street being the best example. (No answer from Lesley Hinds yet).</p> <p>The net result is that 1 in every 100 pedestrians will throw themselves in front of a bike to make a citizen's arrest... My daughter was obstructed on her bike by someone like that on Jawbone Walk - even though the signs have gone. Such is the power of Cyclists Dismount. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6115&page=4#post-71504 Tue, 22 May 2012 12:54:06 +0000 chdot 71504@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@Morningsider</p> <p>So BW is now <em>only</em> Scottish Canals!?</p> <p>Well perhaps not...</p> <p>Cleanly BW in Scotland has done some great things over the past 20 years, not always been easy to 'engage' with. Maybe things will now improve. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6115&page=4#post-71501 Tue, 22 May 2012 12:47:22 +0000 Morningsider 71501@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>chdot - British Waterways remains the legal entity with responsibility for canals in Scotland, although it will be known as Scottish Canals. All canals in England and Wales have transferred into the ownership of a charitable trust; big society, privatistaion etc... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6115&page=4#post-71499 Tue, 22 May 2012 12:43:09 +0000 chdot 71499@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Found this</p> <p>"<br /> British Waterways@BWcomms </p> <p>Best of luck to Scotland's wonderful waterways which, with the move to Trust status in E&amp;W, will go it along operationally from April 1</p> <p><a href="https://twitter.com/BWcomms/status/180607945707491328" rel="nofollow">https://twitter.com/BWcomms/status/180607945707491328</a></p> <p>"</p> <p>Presume that means "alone" - don't know what means in practice.</p> <p>To the extent that CCE is an entity (not very much) might be useful to arange a meeting with a <em>few</em> CCEers and BW(S) and perhaps CEC + L&amp;BP + Spokes to explore safety/courtesy/information issues? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6115&page=4#post-71494 Tue, 22 May 2012 12:37:45 +0000 PS 71494@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Ah, common sense - along with consideration, the solution to so many issues. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6115&page=4#post-71492 Tue, 22 May 2012 12:31:03 +0000 chdot 71492@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Welcome ianfieldhouse <em>very</em> useful first post! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6115&page=4#post-71489 Tue, 22 May 2012 12:18:40 +0000 Wilmington's Cow 71489@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Aha, that clears that up then. Apologies for any nasty thoughts directed LBP's way! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6115&page=4#post-71487 Tue, 22 May 2012 12:14:55 +0000 ianfieldhouse 71487@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I was one of the cyclists who was stopped by the police this morning. </p> <p>I dismounted on approach to the bridge as, I thought it best not to antagonise both the officer and the other guy in attendance (who I presume was from BW) and intended to push my bike across. The policeman stopped me anyway. It turns out he was just wanting to chat to people crossing the bridge as there had been an incident last Friday at approx 8:30am between a cyclist and a pedestrian in which they had come to blows. I hadn't seen or heard anything about this as I'd taken the bus that day – "honest officer" ;). I asked him about the signage that had been there and why it had disappeared and made the point that the narrowing of the bridge combined with the signage that was just going to be ignored by the majority of cyclists was just made for causing a conflict. He seemed to agree and was happy enough when I said I wouldn't be dismounting if the bridge was clear. His words "If everyone just used common sense there wouldn't be a problem". I also mentioned that the canal towpath itself was more of an issue with some cyclist using it as a time trial course on their way to and from work. On the whole I tend to avoid the towpath for this very reason.</p> <p>Anyway, there really wasn't an issue with being stopped as they were simply making enquiries and I was happy to chat and share my views on the new layout on the lift bridge. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6115&page=4#post-71454 Tue, 22 May 2012 11:31:24 +0000 chdot 71454@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"<br /> L&amp;B Police ‏@LBP_Police</p> <p>@CyclingEdin No personal knowledge of this, officers for Fountainbridge Ward may be able to answer you question</p> <p><a href="mailto:adivsntfountainbridgecraiglockhart@lbp.pnn.police.uk">adivsntfountainbridgecraiglockhart@lbp.pnn.police.uk</a></p> <p>" </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6115&page=4#post-71447 Tue, 22 May 2012 11:20:32 +0000 SRD 71447@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Don't know if its connected, but sometime between 10 and 11, I saw what I took to be a Police officer and a city employee/official (based on style/colour of hiviz) walking along the canal path towards Harrison Park. Looking very pleased with themselves, although I chaulked that up to sun peeking through haar. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6115&page=4#post-71443 Tue, 22 May 2012 11:16:29 +0000 Morningsider 71443@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The bridge is not a public road, it belongs to British Waterways (soon to be known in Scotland as Scottish Canals), although the roads either side are public roads. I've had a good think about this one and, given the access rights granted to cyclists under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003, it is difficult to see any legal basis for the police to stop cyclists crossing the bridge.</p> <p>The CEC Core Paths Plan shows that the Union Canal is a core path and that the Blackford Hills-Meadows core path seems to cross the Leamington bridge (map a bit unclear). </p> <p>Anyone stopped from cycling across the bridge should think about complaining to the local access forum:</p> <p><a href="http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/info/495/parks_gardens_and_open_spaces/1251/accessing_our_parks_and_greenspaces/3" rel="nofollow">http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/info/495/parks_gardens_and_open_spaces/1251/accessing_our_parks_and_greenspaces/3</a></p> <p>Plus complaining to British Waterways:</p> <p><a href="mailto:enquiries.scotland@britishwaterways.co.uk">enquiries.scotland@britishwaterways.co.uk</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6115&page=4#post-71426 Tue, 22 May 2012 10:25:07 +0000 chdot 71426@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"<br /> Cycling Edinburgh ‏@CyclingEdin</p> <p>@LBP_Police Why were officers stopping cyclists at Leamington Lift Bridge this morning?<br /> <a href="http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6115&amp;page=4#post-71421" rel="nofollow">http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6115&amp;page=4#post-71421</a> </p> <p>Curious #cycling #Edinburgh</p> <p>" </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6115&page=4#post-71425 Tue, 22 May 2012 10:24:31 +0000 Min 71425@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>So the "cyclists dismount" sign is no longer there but the Police are stopping cyclists from cycling across?</p> <p>Figures.. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6115&page=4#post-71422 Tue, 22 May 2012 10:15:47 +0000 Wilmington's Cow 71422@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>??? So they were still able to walk across?</p> <p>@chdot, one for you to give Sgt Quentin a shout on? Certainly is his patch... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6115&page=4#post-71421 Tue, 22 May 2012 10:10:04 +0000 alangreen 71421@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I walked past the bridge this morning and there were two police officers stopping cyclists from cycling across the bridge. </p>