http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Train stations - "providing better facilities for cyclists" en Sun, 17 May 2026 14:37:41 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9952#post-132749 Fri, 15 Nov 2013 14:53:23 +0000 kaputnik 132749@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-24954861" rel="nofollow">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-24954861</a></p> <p><em>Construction work has begun on a new £3.8m link road between Gleneagles station and the A9 in preparation for next year's Ryder Cup golf competition</em></p> <p>Having had the misfortune to want to access and exit Gleneagles station by bicycle, this is a very good thing. Currently the road dumps you out onto the A9 westbound at a dual carriageway section with traffic thudering past at 70mph. Cyclists and pedestrians get the option of a gravel/mud/grass "footpath" about 1 foot wide and only a few feet from the carriageway, well in the sprayzone on a wet day and terrifying even on a dry day. You have to go against traffic flow to get back to the station; a horrible proposition.</p> <p>This new road will get you onto the quieter A823-road where there is a proper grade separated junction with the A9.</p> <p>Obviously when they built the new A9 dual carriageway they decided to sever the access road from the station to Auchterarder and anyone else could get tae. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9952#post-107790 Tue, 16 Apr 2013 20:21:19 +0000 gembo 107790@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@crowriver regards the glass bridge in Stirling, that is the forthside pedestrian bridge, Stirling council had it built between 2007 and 2009. I think there were delays. The railway station used to have an exit (or indeed entrance) on the far side but that is no more. I occasionally cycle over it when heading to the football stadium. Nice little,cafe called Toast en route and the swimming pool is next to the football stadium and very nice. When the economy picks up I am guessing they will build lots of houses. The architects valuenthenbridge at £1 million. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9952#post-107788 Tue, 16 Apr 2013 19:22:57 +0000 crowriver 107788@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>According to that article, the service started in 1955, so a bit before my time. We used it in the early 1980s if I recall.</p> <p>I also seem to remember that you were brought a freshly cooked breakfast on the sleeper back then... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9952#post-107785 Tue, 16 Apr 2013 17:09:09 +0000 kaputnik 107785@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>The car was on a flatbed truck, can't recall if it was the same train or a separate freight train.<br /> </em></p> <p>You must have been an early pioneer of Motorail, Crowriver. They quickly found that yoofs took great pleasure in dropping stones off bridges as the Motorail train passed underneath, resulting in lots of dented cars and smashed windscreens. The open wagons were largely replaced with enclosed versions - which were harder to fit cars in, but more secure.</p> <p>Demand died out in late 80s or early 90s, although they ran one called the Night Riviera (London - Cornwall varation of the Caley Sleeper) until more recently.</p> <p>Motorail required special platforms at the stations to get the cars in/out. Until recently, Waverley still had its at the east end of the station where the thunderbird loco normally kicks its heels. Perth still has its I think, and the signs for them too.</p> <p>The network was very extensive, as the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motorail_(British_Rail)">Wikipedia map</a> shows. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9952#post-107782 Tue, 16 Apr 2013 16:46:56 +0000 Cyclingmollie 107782@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>crowriver: <em>"I wonder though how many of those bikes are simply being 'stored' for a while rather than used as part of a mixed mode commute?"</em></p> <p>I think they're mostly used. A fortnight ago I saw three bikes in one rack with Brooks saddles. Last week they were gone. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9952#post-107780 Tue, 16 Apr 2013 15:56:34 +0000 crowriver 107780@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I remember the olden days when you used to be able to put your <em>car</em> on the train. I think it was called motoral. The idea was, you could get the sleeper from England or Wales to say Inverness or Fort William, and take your car with you. I think we used it once as a family. The car was on a flatbed truck, can't recall if it was the same train or a separate freight train.</p> <p>Somehow I think there'll be more park'n'ride for cars before there's a Dutch style problem with bike parking. Having said that, Waverley bike racks are pretty much at capacity. I wonder though how many of those bikes are simply being 'stored' for a while rather than used as part of a mixed mode commute? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9952#post-107778 Tue, 16 Apr 2013 15:10:20 +0000 fimm 107778@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>But eventually we want to have the "Dutch Problem" of there being such a theoretical demand for bikes on trains that they simply have to ban them - "everyone" has a bike at both ends, and so there's security in numbers. How we get there I have no idea... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9952#post-107777 Tue, 16 Apr 2013 14:54:23 +0000 DaveC 107777@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>We already have lockers and most are used. We have around 30 in DB. They give the users a feeling of more security than Staples. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9952#post-107776 Tue, 16 Apr 2013 14:50:27 +0000 Baldcyclist 107776@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Yep, bike racks (even lockers) pretty much useless at train stations. I certainly wouldn't leave mine locked up at one!</p> <p>It's not cycle improvements at train stations we need, but improvements *on* trains (more capacity).</p> <p>Have to say, when I moved to Fife, I was quite impressed by the maintained flower beds and white picket fences at all most of the stations. Although cosmetic, really does make a difference. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9952#post-107775 Tue, 16 Apr 2013 14:30:22 +0000 Cyclingmollie 107775@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>We're getting car-park barriers. If that stops the pavement along the side of the car-park being blocked by drivers who park too far forward then that might actually be an improvement. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9952#post-107773 Tue, 16 Apr 2013 14:13:08 +0000 Calum 107773@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Saw the new cycle shelters starting to go in at my local station today. Strikes me as tokenism - generally you're lucky to see even one bike locked to the existing Sheffield stands. I wonder why that could be (!) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9952#post-107771 Tue, 16 Apr 2013 14:05:34 +0000 crowriver 107771@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>On the train to Dunblane yesterday I noted that Stirling station is in the process of getting a lick of fresh paint. Also at some point someone (the council?) seems to have built a 'fancy' (ie. glass/stainless steel/sandstone) new bridge over the tracks, adjacent to the station but seems to mainly connnect a car park with a big shopping centre. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9952#post-107769 Tue, 16 Apr 2013 13:53:16 +0000 Arellcat 107769@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>…and "quick win" improvements at Glasgow stations."</em></p> <p>In my experience, "quick win" improvements are like slopping tar into potholes because the Pope is visiting. Morningside Road of course is now back to its good old, cratered self.</p> <p>The Beeb would do well to read Network Rail's own documents, which refer to proper British geraniums-and-fob-watches "railway stations", not that horrible imported phrase, "train stations". </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9952#post-107767 Tue, 16 Apr 2013 13:31:10 +0000 crowriver 107767@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Hmm. Let's look beyond the hype to see what these 'improvements' really are:</p> <p><em>Full list of stations and improvements:</p> <p>Keith – Bus interchange and car park extension and taxi drop-off area<br /> Ladybank – New 48-space car park<br /> Gleneagles – Refurbishment of station buildings, platforms, toilets and waiting rooms.<br /> Irvine – New car park<br /> Bathgate – Expansion of car park<br /> Insch – Design of access and car park scheme<br /> Uphall – New staircase from carpark. New signage.<br /> East Kilbride route – Enhanced cycling facilities and car park barriers.<br /> New cycle shelters at Inverkeithing, Linlithgow, Lanark, Shotts, Balloch, Bishopton, Paisley Canal, Whitecraigs, Dingwall, Longniddry, Bishopbriggs, Kirkcaldy, Lenzie, Carluke, Forres, Dalmuir and Portlethen.<br /> Bellshill – New cycle shelters, improvements to car park and pavement, new signage, improved lighting<br /> New customer information screens at Coatdyke, Croftfoot, Garscadden, Hillfoot, Wishaw, Cardross, Carntyne, Drumry, Stepps, Pollokshields East, Springburn, South Gyle, Dumbarton Central, Stonehaven and Kilmarnock.<br /> Edinburgh Park – Renew customer information screens, new cycle shelters and fitting of ticket vending machines<br /> Anniesland – New customer information screens and new platform shelters.<br /> Musselburgh – Car park barriers<br /> Oban – Car park barriers<br /> Ayr – New shelter for Cairnryan coach passengers<br /> Paisley Gilmour Street – Upgrading stairs<br /> Saltcoats – Refurbish waiting room and ticket office<br /> Wemyss Bay – Refurbish toilets<br /> New ticket vending machines - Glasgow Airport, Larbert, Perth, Dundee<br /> New platform shelters – Lenzie, Milliken Park and Dalreoch</em></p> <p><a href="http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/news/homecoming-station-investment" rel="nofollow">http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/news/homecoming-station-investment</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9952#post-107766 Tue, 16 Apr 2013 13:06:35 +0000 kaputnik 107766@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-22166446">Train stations to be spruced up for Ryder Cup and Commonwealth Games</a></p> <p><em>Almost 60 Scottish train stations are to be revamped in time for the Ryder Cup and Commonwealth Games next year.</p> <p>A total of £5.27m, from existing Scottish government budgets, will be spent on sprucing up the stations.</em></p> <p>Not withstanding the use of the buzz-phrases "Year of Homecoming ", "quick win" and "shovel ready", which bring a little bit of sick to the back of my throught, I would hope this is a good thing!</p> <p>Shame it takes a game of stickball to get things like this done. </p>