CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » General Edinburgh

Ban cars from George IV Bridge?

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  1. cb
    Member

    http://www.scotsman.com/news/transport/cars-and-trucks-face-ban-on-key-edinburgh-route-1-2952504

    "One potential route would connect residential areas around the Meadows on the south side with Waverley Station.

    The plan could involve prohibiting all traffic from busy streets such as George IV Bridge, apart from cycles, buses and 
taxis. Cars, vans and lorries would be diverted via other routes such as South Bridge or Lothian Road."

    Seems to be a proposal from Jim Eadie amoungst others?

    "
    The city council said it would consider the proposal. Transport convener Lesley Hinds said: “If Jim Eadie has proposals, I’m sure Jim Orr, our lead member for cycling, would be happy to look at them with the Cycle Forum, which includes all the interested parties and is where consultation happens.”
    "

    That would be a bold move for Edinburgh. Likelyhood of happening?

    Posted 12 years ago #

  2. Wilmington's Cow
    Member

    "That would be a bold move for Edinburgh"

    Certainly would be!

    "Likelyhood of happening?"

    Someone will declare it would lead to 'traffic chaos' and it'll get stymied. I do, however, think it's encouraging that these ideas are at least seeing the light of day. All too slow and not courageous enough, but eventually one of these ideas will actually see the light of day and hopefully things can snowball from there. It would certainly solve the Missoni cycle lane problem! (which still exists despite the altered road markings).

    Posted 12 years ago #

  3. Min
    Member

    Neil Greig, the Scotland-based policy and research director of the Institute of Advanced Motorists, said: “Simply creating a car- free corridor where vulnerable cyclists will still have to dodge large buses and taxis is far too simple an answer to Edinburgh’s traffic problems.”

    Bwahahaha!

    Great comment there from Neil Grieg. Not sure that is quite what he meant..

    Posted 12 years ago #

  4. crowriver
    Member

    Don't the council need to get on with pedestrianising the Royal Mile and Chambers Street first? Or have they forgotten about that?

    Posted 12 years ago #

  5. Wilmington's Cow
    Member

    I can see why the AA jettisoned him, he really does come out with some barmy stuff. I think what he's trying to say is that removing cars won't make it any safer for cyclists as there will still be buses and taxis. What he doesn't realise is that the volume of traffic would be much lighter, and therefore 'dodging' is far easier (and less frequent).

    At least he's admitted it's a simple solution - often times that's all that's required!

    Posted 12 years ago #

  6. allebong
    Member

    So I read the comments, and now feel like going for a shower, perhaps before I get into my underground nuclear bunker because this proposal will cause the sky to fall apparently.

    There is an awful lot of "this will make congestion worse as I can't DRIVE into TOWN like I ALWAYS do!!!". I can't help but sympathise here though. The number of cars in the city centre is absolutely outrageous. What would be great is if someone would invent a means of transport that takes up much less road space than a car, does not emit all matter of poisonous fumes, and also doesn't pothole the roads as it weighs even less than the person operating it. We could then have a dedicated road just for these hypothetical vehicles thus immensely relieving the rest of the roads of car traffic. We can only dream....

    EDIT: I read a bit further in the comments. Forget suicide bombers, what we really need to be worrying about are...wait for it....'bicycle terrorists'.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  7. neddie
    Member

    A cyclist pauses on George IV Bridge

    Only the cyclist is not 'paused', it's just that the Scotsman can't bear to even say it - "A cyclist is stopped at a red light..."

    And that's the Mound in the picture, not George IV bridge!

    Posted 12 years ago #

  8. cc
    Member

    Bicycle terrorists? Did they try to blow up Glasgow airport?

    I'm imagining a George IV Bridge which has wide smooth cycle routes where the bus lanes currently are, with buses, taxis and bus stops all moved to what's currently the centre of the road. With strips of pavement separating the cycle lanes and the bus/taxi lanes.

    And could we have radical change for Forrest Road too please, with two way cycling joining George IV Bridge seamlessly to Middle Meadow Walk?

    Talking of simple measures: just imagine how much more prosperous and pleasant a pedestrian/cycle Forrest Road would be.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  9. Kim
    Member

    I keep wanting to ask Neil Greig what exactly an Institute of Advanced Motorist is? Back in the days when I was a full qualified ADI (someone was legally permitted to charge for driving lessons) all my fellow driving instructors thought the IAM was a joke, anyone could join, even if their licence fell out of a cornflake packet.

    As for the plans for George IV Bridge, Jim Orr was hinting at doing something like this a couple of months ago. I suggested that the Mound wasn't the idea route for mass cycle access to the south from Princess St, but apart from that it could work.

    Posted 12 years ago #

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