http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: W.O.L. path well and truly closed at Dean Village en Tue, 19 May 2026 05:25:23 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7614&page=2#post-357092 Tue, 23 Nov 2021 20:25:30 +0000 chdot 357092@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>No idea when work started, but it seems to have -</p> <p><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51700609448_dd1dffe87d.jpg"></p> <p><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51701220540_341c206ca9.jpg"></p> <p><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51699535887_eaca5f20e0_z.jpg"> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7614&page=2#post-349312 Thu, 08 Apr 2021 07:55:02 +0000 chdot 349312@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>“</p> <p>It is anticipated that the on-site time for the construction work will span approximately 26 weeks, starting in May, leading to a hopeful completion date around the end of October 2021.</p> <p>“</p> <p><a href="https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/lifestyle/outdoors/stunning-edinburgh-riverside-walkway-will-reopen-after-delays-over-repair-work-3192645" rel="nofollow">https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/lifestyle/outdoors/stunning-edinburgh-riverside-walkway-will-reopen-after-delays-over-repair-work-3192645</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7614&page=2#post-333321 Fri, 03 Jul 2020 18:23:00 +0000 ejstubbs 333321@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I wonder whether the 'delight' is because the other party admitted liability? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7614&page=2#post-333302 Fri, 03 Jul 2020 15:39:04 +0000 CycleAlex 333302@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><blockquote>Now, a solution has been reached and the City of Edinburgh Council will soon begin the restoration work needed to reopen the path.</p> <p>Culture and Communities Convener Councillor Donald Wilson said: “We are delighted to have been able to reach a solution for the reinstatement of this part of the Dean Path along the Water of Leith.</p> <p>“Its restoration will return a key section of our off-road paths network which I know will be welcomed by the many people who enjoy using it – including myself for running - particularly during this difficult time.</p> <p>“We are now progressing design and technical plans and will get to work as soon as possible, in line with national guidance on construction.”</blockquote><a href="https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/people/work-begin-fix-dean-path-water-leith-after-over-four-years-closure-2903109" rel="nofollow">https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/people/work-begin-fix-dean-path-water-leith-after-over-four-years-closure-2903109</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7614&page=2#post-332242 Thu, 18 Jun 2020 20:59:48 +0000 gembo 332242@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Pretty strong repairs over time from baleerno down to the Dell</p> <p>Currently being slagged for fixing coltbridge</p> <p>Ooh ye can nae win </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7614&page=2#post-332229 Thu, 18 Jun 2020 17:09:54 +0000 ejstubbs 332229@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Perusing the WOL Trust's blog just now I noticed that they did post <a href="http://www.waterofleith.org.uk/blog/2020/1/16/latest-news-from-the-council-regarding-the-dean-landslip.html">an update about the landslip back in January</a>:</p> <p><em><strong>Dean landslip</strong></p> <p>• The Council (“CEC”) has raised legal proceedings against a number of parties in respect of the landslip at the Dean Path<br /> • Before steps can be taken to reopen the path, the causes of the slippage require to be identified and measures to prevent further slippage implemented<br /> • Public safety and future amenity of the area remain paramount<br /> • CEC have authorised the use of funds to jointly meet the cost of specialist engineers to design and provide costings for the retaining works<br /> <strong>Update:</strong></p> <p>Technical experts appointed by CEC and other parties respectively have now identified potential engineering solutions<br /> Legal proceedings remain paused while parties explore resolution<br /> Discussions are on-going with a view to agreeing these between CEC and the neighbouring owner(s)</em></p> <p>Which sounds a little more promising than their last update in 2019.</p> <p>On the minus side, though, I note that <a href="http://www.waterofleith.org.uk/blog/2020/4/16/sadly-another-footbridge-across-the-river-is-deemed-unsafe-a.html">the footbridge linking Hawthornbank Lane and Damside is now closed</a> "due to safety concerns", with options for repairs not being investigated until "after the Covid-19 crisis" (however that will be determined).</p> <p>Add to that the <a href="http://www.waterofleith.org.uk/blog/2019/12/4/problems-with-bridges-in-the-dells-means-the-east-bank-will.html">two footbridges closed in Colinton Dell</a>, and the path closure near Fords Road, and one could begin to get the impression that the WoL as both a recreational and a transport amenity for the city is being allowed to lapse in to a state of creeping decay... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7614&page=2#post-320172 Fri, 03 Jan 2020 16:23:26 +0000 ejstubbs 320172@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The relevant planning application was <a href="https://citydev-portal.edinburgh.gov.uk/idoxpa-web/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=documents&amp;keyVal=IEXK0CEWU1000">05/01247/FUL</a>. Permission was granted in February 2006. <a href="https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@55.953119,-3.2200555,3a,59.8y,234.43h,73.5t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sjAA2gV_MCi8gPsrxyG-y-g!2e0!5s20080801T000000!7i13312!8i6656">This Streetview photo</a> indicates that work was under way in August 2008. The movement of the bank above the WoL appears to significantly post-date that work.</p> <p>The <a href="http://citydev-portal.edinburgh.gov.uk/idoxpa-web/files/C3EEB834BB098C2FBBBA9748DDB8790C/pdf/05_01247_FUL-GROUND___FIRST___LOCATION_PLAN-239658.pdf">drawings and map</a> which form part of that planning application clearly mark the bank below the new house as "land belonging to CEC". The references in the WOL Conservation Trust updates about the path closure to "the appointed engineers of the home owner" and the involvement of the council's legal team do make it look as if CEC are trying to establish that the owners of the new property should be liable for the cost of stabilisation of the ground and repairing the path. As acsimpson remarked, in the aftermath of the compulsory repairs scandal - and in the current climate of severe budgetary constraints - CEC is probably reluctant to pay for the work up front and hope to be able to charge it back to the house owner.</p> <p>(On a side note, WRT the Ian Johnston piece: the words that he quotes come from the 2016 update on the WoL Conservation Trust web site. As I listed previously, there have been at least two updates posted on that web site since then. One might have expected him to have dug just a little further before launching in to print...) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7614&page=2#post-320137 Thu, 02 Jan 2020 23:33:37 +0000 chdot 320137@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49317601567_e12ce9f67e.jpg"></p> <p><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49317390261_6e2c55a898.jpg"></p> <p><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49320425293_21a7a8352c.jpg"></p> <p><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49321134012_af6786b5d1.jpg"> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7614#post-320126 Thu, 02 Jan 2020 18:22:44 +0000 acsimpson 320126@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>chdot, I suspect that after the compulsory repairs scandal that there is a reduced appetite for such things. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7614#post-320122 Thu, 02 Jan 2020 17:13:35 +0000 chdot 320122@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Of course CEC could do the work and hope house owner is found liable. </p> <p>If they aren’t CEC will have to pay for path anyway. </p> <p>Is house occupied? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7614#post-320121 Thu, 02 Jan 2020 17:04:15 +0000 ejstubbs 320121@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>My understanding is that the CEC is tied up in a legal dispute with the owner of the new property at the top of the bank. So it's not just a case of the council dragging its feet and/or being short of budget (except perhaps for lawyers).</p> <p>Here is the timeline of updates on the WoL Conservation Trust's web site since the path was closed for the second time due to continuing instability:</p> <p><strong><a href="http://www.waterofleith.org.uk/blog/2016/1/14/bad-news-the-land-at-dean-has-moved-again-meaning-the-path-i.html">January 14th 2016</a></p> <p><em>Bad News the land at Dean has moved again - meaning the path is closed for the forseeable future</strong> </p> <p>All this wet weather has caused movement in the slope at Dean Valley which was closed for over a year following a landslide. There is evidence of movement and significant damage to the path so the walkway from Sunbury to Damside is closed again. Please respect the local diversion which will be in place by the end of the week and do not use the path.</em></p> <p><strong><a href="http://www.waterofleith.org.uk/blog/2017/11/3/walkway-is-open-at-murrayfield-but-sadly-more-sections-close.html">November 3rd 2017</a></strong></p> <p><em>The section between Sunbury Place and the Dean Path steps is closed due to a landslip. The most recent update I have in relation to this is that investigations have now been completed by the appointed engineers of the home owner above the landslip. The councils legal team is currently in negotiation with the home owners legal representatives to progress the resolution of re-opening the footpath as soon as possible.</em></p> <p><strong><a href="http://www.waterofleith.org.uk/blog/2018/3/28/path-closures-update-more-bad-news-i-am-afraid-but-some-good.html">March 8th 2018</a></strong></p> <p><em>The City of Edinburgh Council are aware of public concern over the continued closure of a part of the Dean Path following a second land slip in January 2016. The Council are committed to ensuring that the path is reopened as soon as possible. Various avenues are being pursued by the Council, including court action, to try and ensure that work is undertaken to make the path safe. The Council cannot comment further at this stage due to ongoing legal proceedings.</em></p> <p><strong><a href="http://www.waterofleith.org.uk/walkway/">WALKWAY UPDATE 2019</a></strong></p> <p><em>The section of path between Sunbury Bridge and the steps at Dean Path has been closed due to a landslip. The Council are in the process of investigating this issue. In the meantime we would like to request that public respect the closure, use an alternative route, and do not put themselves at risk.</em></p> <p>That last statement seems significantly more bland than the March 2018 one so I can understand Mr Johnston's frustrations - but it may be that they really can't say anything more if legal wranglings are still ongoing.</p> <p>I too am very disappointed that this section of the walkway is still closed. I can still remember being blown away to see a dipper on the Water of Leith as I walked through from Dean Village to Belford Bridge while house-hunting preparatory to moving up to Edinburgh. It was almost like an omen, telling me that I was making the right decision in fleeing the Great Wen. But if it's got to the point where litigation is in the offing then it's not a huge surprise that any bets about timescales have to be put on hold. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7614#post-320115 Thu, 02 Jan 2020 14:06:36 +0000 gembo 320115@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I guess if you choose to detour round the fence which many intrepid stockbrigers have done then the risk is on you rather than the council? Fellow writing the article is rather measured in his critique, not the usual Johnston press rant. Maybe he suggested the congestion charge be brought back for non edinburgh residents (or maybe that was ME) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7614#post-320107 Thu, 02 Jan 2020 12:14:37 +0000 chdot 320107@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><a href="https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/opinion/will-edinburgh-fix-what-just-might-be-best-commute-world-ian-johnston-1350675" rel="nofollow">https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/opinion/will-edinburgh-fix-what-just-might-be-best-commute-world-ian-johnston-1350675</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7614#post-244268 Wed, 08 Mar 2017 23:40:23 +0000 Fountainbridge 244268@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>In fairness most of it is actively being upgraded at the moment. WOL flood stuff around Murryfield should be finished in the next few months, path upgrade between Roseburn and Belford should be finished in a week.</p> <p>Only bit not due to be finished soon is Dean village to Belford. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7614#post-244162 Tue, 07 Mar 2017 12:02:32 +0000 redmist 244162@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I tried to run along the WoL from Stockbridge to Slateford Aqueduct a few weeks ago and it was a joke. More of it was closed than open. This used to be one of the nicest places to run in the city, these days I just wouldn't bother. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7614#post-244134 Mon, 06 Mar 2017 19:40:34 +0000 chdot 244134@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><a href="http://www.waterofleith.org.uk/blog/2017/2/27/temporary-closure-of-the-walkway-from-roseburn-to-belford-fo.html#entry35869864" rel="nofollow">http://www.waterofleith.org.uk/blog/2017/2/27/temporary-closure-of-the-walkway-from-roseburn-to-belford-fo.html#entry35869864</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7614#post-244132 Mon, 06 Mar 2017 19:01:44 +0000 I were right about that saddle 244132@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@CyclingMollie</p> <p><em>I don't think there were any warning signs at the gallery steps</em></p> <p>There is a sign by the steps down off Belford Road, but it's a tiny paper thing. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7614#post-244130 Mon, 06 Mar 2017 18:50:07 +0000 Fountainbridge 244130@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>It was fixed up, resurfaced and reopened about 18 months ago. Following a wee bit of rain 12 months ago there was another bigger land slip.</p> <p>This path was fine till they build a big house at the top of the slope. </p> <p>Water of Leith Trust posted map recently showing something like 4 miles of path is currently closed. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7614#post-244092 Mon, 06 Mar 2017 10:43:44 +0000 chdot 244092@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"We found the barriers when we tried to walk through from the Gallery of Modern Art to Dean Village."</p> <p>That's this -</p> <p><a href="http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17490" rel="nofollow">http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17490</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7614#post-244089 Mon, 06 Mar 2017 10:30:46 +0000 Cyclingmollie 244089@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>We found the barriers when we tried to walk through from the Gallery of Modern Art to Dean Village. I don't think there were any warning signs at the gallery steps which might have been helpful. It turned out there was a bus stop on Corstorphine Road in the other direction so it all worked out okay. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7614#post-244088 Mon, 06 Mar 2017 10:23:11 +0000 chdot 244088@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Went yesterday.</p> <p>Still fence to climb at one end (with hole big enough for most people) and fence to help the climb at other end.</p> <p>Clearly LOTS of people (and some bikes) not put off.</p> <p>Landslip probably not moved since it first happened(?) EDIT re-read up thread. SO this was fixed and has slipped again?</p> <p><img src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3666/33231686306_5137e455ea.jpg"></p> <p><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2849/33117238462_ec55126754.jpg"></p> <p><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/263/33272942865_9d8dfe1874.jpg"></p> <p><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2825/33117192412_0598676285.jpg"></p> <p><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/607/33272909455_69d6b64f03.jpg"></p> <p><img src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3751/32429885184_2ca2d0471a.jpg"> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7614#post-234376 Wed, 19 Oct 2016 19:54:02 +0000 Colonies_Chris 234376@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>When I went that way a couple of weeks ago, the path was firmly closed off downstream from the wee bridge. Noone could walk through without some serious clambering over the barrier. Has that all been removed? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7614#post-234371 Wed, 19 Oct 2016 19:04:13 +0000 Fountainbridge 234371@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The path was fine till they built the new house at the top of the embankment. Hope they're picking up the tab for any repair works.</p> <p>Personally I take the risk of walking over the slipped stuff rather than have to walk up and down Howthorbank Lane </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7614#post-234367 Wed, 19 Oct 2016 18:45:26 +0000 mercury1and2 234367@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Passed over WOL by dean village and silver steps on Tues 18th oct 2016 - I was horrified as the damage due to creep is really dangerous. I took bike over but will not do again and was surprised to see others still using it for walking etc. The council will just leave this to collapse and if this winter sees a lot of rain it may happen very quickly. Hope no-one gets killed. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7614#post-170700 Mon, 03 Nov 2014 19:24:12 +0000 BenN 170700@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Confirmed that path is open again - collapsed section has been rebuilt and lots of relaid / wider bits as well. </p> <p>Watch out for a few inches of support sticking out of the middle of the path near the weir though - painted bright orange so hopefully they are still to be trimmed down. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7614#post-170674 Mon, 03 Nov 2014 17:18:49 +0000 I were right about that saddle 170674@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@fimm</p> <p>Yes indeed. They have laid them down due to troubled waters. </p> <p>@gembo</p> <p>The buried one is all there. Gormley insisted. Not sure if it has the hinged mechanism though. Hope it does. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7614#post-170666 Mon, 03 Nov 2014 16:50:39 +0000 gembo 170666@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>offshore is a good Penelope Fitzgerald novel I could recommend on the book group thread about living on a houseboat on the thames and big flood. I will also recommend all her other books which she did not start writing until she was sixty.</p> <p>on the tarmac gormley I hope the rest of him is down there and it is not a trick with just his top third sticking out.</p> <p>What about the shed with the stove I want a shot of that. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7614#post-170645 Mon, 03 Nov 2014 15:18:19 +0000 fimm 170645@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>You mean, the Gormleys are still there, just underwater? I'd assumed that they were temporary and had been removed! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7614#post-170642 Mon, 03 Nov 2014 15:04:48 +0000 I were right about that saddle 170642@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@gembo</p> <p>The Gormleys are hinged on a bolt that breaks under the impact of treetrunks. The system was expected to be triggered once every five years, not every other week. </p> <p>Re-erecting the pieces requires the intervention of conservation staff trained in 'water entry', all of whom have better things to be going on with.</p> <p>The one that's buried chest-deep in the tarmac on Belford Road is never swept away, but it is hard to view. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7614#post-170640 Mon, 03 Nov 2014 14:50:00 +0000 gembo 170640@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>good news, fingers crossed no more land slides but the valley seems to have a fair bit of movement this weather. What happend to all the gormleys they kept getting swept away? </p>