CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Infrastructure

Leith Walk Project

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  1. jonty
    Member

    Oh I see - Elm Row goes down further than I thought it did. As far as I can see, the loading bay is moving 5-10m down the road. Hrmm.

    Posted 7 years ago #
  2. ih
    Member

    It was the same in Roseburn with traders saying they would have to go 100 yds to a loading area, whereas in truth it would be a maximum of 20 yds.

    Posted 7 years ago #
  3. jonty
    Member

    They could have a loading bay right outside their door if three bike lanes worth of road hadn't been used on providing motorists with an extra lane.

    Unfortunately compromises do need to be made, but perhaps the car lane shouldn't be built until the shopkeepers and motorists join a working group and agree to a compromise.

    Posted 7 years ago #
  4. Stickman
    Member

    Comments have been removed and switched off for that article. Bizarre. Did someone say something naughty?

    Posted 7 years ago #
  5. @stickman When I read it earlier, the last (well-liked) comment was something about Garlands already parking illegally and inconveniencing others, so basically they were the last people who should be moaning about inconvenience.

    Maybe the traders have offered the EEN free veg & flowers in exchange for turning the comments off after they weren't going their way? ;-)

    Posted 7 years ago #
  6. crowriver
    Member

    Oh dear, here we go!

    Walking 100 metres! The very idea! That would take, oh, all of ONE MINUTE each way. Aye, who in the world has got that much time, eh?

    As for "lugging stuff", there are these handy things, I think they're called trolleys. They have wheels and boxes can be stacked on them. Amazing, isn't it? Maybe they will be coming to Elm Row soon?

    Posted 7 years ago #
  7. The thing is, as we all know, the delivery vans would just stop directly outside anyway, on the basis that they're 'only there for a few minutes', so all the talk of having to walk 100 metres is guff anyway.

    Put into context, in large supermarket car parks you can be parked much more than 100m from the shop entrance (which in itself will be another 50m to the actual food bit after fighting through magazines and clothes), and people don't expire.

    Posted 7 years ago #
  8. Morningsider
    Member

    I am pretty sure shopkeepers don't have to lug anything (unless they want to) as deliveries are made directly to their premises and not just the nearest place someone can park.

    Posted 7 years ago #
  9. Klaxon
    Member

    Don't let the 100m sound bite sick. It's 10-15m. 100m is 2/3 of the way to oddbins.

    These two shops are the outliers. The majority of the block retains the luxury of direct loading.

    Posted 7 years ago #
  10. If the EEN had any proper journalists left, they might just fact-check their story by looking at the plans first before printing anything they're told as gospel truth.

    Posted 7 years ago #
  11. Stickman
    Member

    Is it paranoid to suggest the hand of other non-Leith based campaigners in this latest protest?

    Posted 7 years ago #
  12. chdot
    Admin

    "Is it paranoid to suggest"

    Yes.

    But it doesn't mean they aren't out to get you.

    (Or do I mean it doesn't mean they aren't out to get YOU?)

    Posted 7 years ago #
  13. crowriver
    Member

    "they might just fact-check their story by looking at the plans first before printing anything they're told as gospel truth."

    Ah but pandering to the public's prejudices by printing ill-informed comments that deliberately misinterpret an issue as if they were the truth is exactly what helps to bait clicks online. And to Hell with the consequences! Post-truth reporting...

    Posted 7 years ago #
  14. chdot
    Admin

    Never let the facts get in the way of a good prejudice -

    "

    Is council transport leader Lesley Hinds a car crash waiting to happen? She’s certainly giving David Begg (remember him?) a run for his money in unpopularity.

    Leith traders in Elm Row are quite right to protest about new plans she is pushing that will make vital deliveries to their businesses impossible between 7.30 and 9.30am. All so she can introduce segregated cycle lanes.

    Cllr Hinds should get on her bike and go and see the traders herself face to face instead of hiding behind press statements that suggest she is listening to communities when patently she’s not.

    "

    http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/opinion/brian-monteith-blame-the-deficit-as-we-take-a-pounding-1-4256935

    Posted 7 years ago #
  15. sallyhinch
    Member

    An idea for when they finally break ground on Leith Walk's segregated cycle lanes

    http://www.enfieldindependent.co.uk/news/14803107.Not_everybody_thinks_the_Cycle_Enfield_scheme_is_a_bad_thing___these_mothers_brought_the_workmen_a_homecooked_breakfast/

    Nothing like some 'mums' to make it into a heartwarming story that local papers will lap up (the fact that they are also cycle campaigners is neither here nor there - in local paper land, being a 'mum' trumps every other part of your identity

    Posted 7 years ago #
  16. crowriver
    Member

    A nice gesture from these women. We could do with a bit more community spirit like that in this city...

    Posted 7 years ago #
  17. gembo
    Member

    The new surface at the north end of leith walk is lovely to cycle on. The road is pretty much wide enough to accommodate all the mad parking outwith rush hour (I nip down to casa Amiga for the 12 pastel de nata for the price of 10 if we have another leaving do) that section also has Serrano manchego which is raved about. I would have hoped the traders on the next section can all be accommodated? Same as has happened to the north section which is much improved for everybody? There is no actual kerb? Except that the pavement is being widened? Have I worked that out correctly? Will they not be able to illegally park like la favorita does? Is this not just the lazy grammar of the last hard pressed journo at the EEN going for the anti cycling storyline? When our office was at McDonald road (now Russian single room flats due to Scottish government overturning the council decision not to let this happen) I used to shop at Tattie shaws - friendly staff, keen prices, good range of veg. I think they managed their own deliveries and they came in through the front door with them and left them at the back of the shop until they had time to sort them. So quite an elaborate process already, thus adding a 20 metre walk is maybe the last straw for them? I would have thought they were more resilient than that?

    Posted 7 years ago #
  18. dougal
    Member

    12 pastel de nata for the price of 10

    Normally they phrase it as "6 for the price of 5" but I can see that was being insufficiently bold. From now on when I come home with two bags full of Portuguese pastries I can claim I had to because they were on "300 for the price of 250".

    Posted 7 years ago #
  19. crowriver
    Member

    Also worth visiting when on Leith Walk is the wondrous Sicilian Pastry Shop. Just a hop, skip and jump along the north side of Albert Street...

    Posted 7 years ago #
  20. gembo
    Member

    Yeah, dougal but who just buys six?

    Many years ago I was at the Mecca of natas - pasteleria de suica in Belem, Lisbon town. Queued a bit then ordered black coffee and a nata, they laughed their heads off. Went in to the blue and white tiled dining room every table taken by Lisbon women and three layered plates groaning in Pastels de nata

    Nice to be able to just sell one item and excel.

    Posted 7 years ago #
  21. Klaxon
    Member

    I've been trying to get some actual construction drawings for what is being built as contractors have a nasty habit of not building the right thing.

    It's been very slow but they've finally got back with some meat - only pages 1 of 4 for each set - but still some interesting detail around the Brunswick Rd junction.

    Road surfacing
    Kerb detail
    Footway surfacing

    Posted 7 years ago #
  22. crowriver
    Member

    Good work, Klaxon! Interesting to see these.

    Posted 7 years ago #
  23. chdot
    Admin

    "

    Dear Stakeholder

    Leith Programme Stakeholder Update 90 - Various

    I have set out below an update for the various projects currently underway. It is worth emphasising that the consultation period for the Phase 5 Traffic Regulation Order (Brunswick Street to Montgomery Street) is being extended and details of this are also set out below.

    Phase 4 (Pilrig Street to Brunswick Street)

    · Our contractor’s inability to start work on the Pilrig Street junction upgrade due to the Scottish Gas Networks mains replacement works not being clear of the McDonald Road junction was disappointing, however they are focussing just now on two footway area upgrades at Crighton Place and Shrubhill, in addition to working closely with the contractors of the new Places for People development at Shrubhill to create the new site entrance. Regular liaison is taking place with Scottish Gas, who have encountered some unavoidable technical difficulties, and, as soon as we have a definite date on which their works will be moving southwards, our contractors will be ready to commence with the Pilrig Street junction improvements which are due to take 7 weeks to complete.

    · Notification of the traffic management arrangements involving the closure of Pilrig Street at the junction with Leith Walk will follow as soon as possible. Residents will be notified ahead of works by contractor letter drop, on street signage and usual Council media streams

    Phase 5 Traffic Regulation Order (Brunswick Street to Montgomery Street) – Extension to consultation

    · Since launching the formal consultation for the next phase of the Leith Programme we have had a very good level of engagement and, as a result, have decided to extend the consultation period in order to hear more people’s views. We will be formally advertising the proposed Traffic Regulation Order again on Friday 28 October and people will have until 25 November to respond with comments (both supportive and objections). We will be emailing those who have already responded to let them know that they do not need to resubmit their comments as these will be considered in November following the end of the additional consultation period.

    · As well as extending the consultation period, we will also be holding a drop-in surgery at the McDonald Road library on Thursday 10 November between 3:00 and 7:00pm. This will be an opportunity for anyone who would like more information to speak informally with Council officers present. Letters will be going out to local people in the surrounding area to invite them along.

    Interim road repair works

    · In response to a number of resident and community group requests, the Council will be carrying out localised carriageway patching which will cover the areas from Picardy Place roundabout to the Brunswick Road junction on Leith Walk. The works are due to commence on Sunday 23rd October and last for approximately seven weeks.

    · In order to minimise disruption, the works will be carried out on Sunday to Thursday nights between 23 October and 7 December

    · Should the contractor’s progress exceed the programme, all efforts will be made to accelerate the works in order to gain an early completion
    Bernard Street – Site investigations

    · As part of the detailed planning underway ahead of a Council decision on whether or not to extend the tram line, limited surveying and investigative work is required to confirm in greater detail information relating to the location of underground services at the Bernard Street junction.

    · The surveying work has already been successfully carried out and a physical site investigation is due to take place. The work will commence on 7th November and is expected to last around 6 days and will involve the digging of slit trenches at localised areas around the junction. In order to minimise disruption to traffic and local residents and businesses, each of the trenches will be restricted to single traffic lanes to ensure all roads remain open during the works with traffic management in operation
    St James Development

    · You may be aware of recent media coverage confirming the future commencement of the St James development. The old shopping centre has now closed and work will begin immediately on the demolition and construction of this exciting development. John Lewis will continue to operate throughout the works and a new entrance has been created on Leith Street for customers. Please be assured that we are continuing to work with the developers on works interface matters in order to ensure an integrated delivery of the major projects happening in the area.

    We are aware that there is a lot of development work going on in the wider area over and above the Leith Programme and we are keen to try to provide you with as much information as we can regarding the integrated working approach we are taking in order to ensure a smooth interface between each of the projects.

    We hope you find this information useful and please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you require further information.
    Regards

    "

    Posted 7 years ago #
  24. Klaxon
    Member

    The patching mentioned in the above email has been going on for about a week now and has already made a huge difference to my quality of life climbing from London Rd roundabout. They're doing biiiig patches, maybe 5-6 metres square, and scouring out at least an inch of the previous top surface before relaying. None of this cold tar in potholes pish.

    Fantastic job if five years too late.

    Also noticed: SGN complained somewhere about their gas main renewal at Brunswick Rd taking longer than plan because tram exploratory digs were backfilled with foaming concrete. They're (right this instant) backfilling their own excavations with.. you guessed it.. foaming concrete.

    Posted 7 years ago #
  25. crowriver
    Member

    "The patching mentioned in the above email has been going on for about a week now"

    Aye they were working on parts of Picardy Place roundabout and approach from London Road last night as I passed around 10pm.

    Posted 7 years ago #
  26. crowriver
    Member

    Well I noticed over the weekend that the SGN contractors were nearly done, as they were patching the gas mains holes with fresh tarmac.

    As of lunchtime today I can verify that the works at the junction with Brunswick Road are complete, so it's now possible to cycle north on this part of Leith Walk in the inner lane, and indeed turn left onto Brunswick Road.

    The flip side of course is that Brunswick Road is open, and once again a haven for rat running motorists. You have been warned.

    Then again, presumably this means that the Pilrig to McDonald Road works will be going ahead soon: segregated cycle tracks here we come... :-)

    Posted 7 years ago #
  27. Klaxon
    Member

    Today:

    Posted 7 years ago #
  28. dougal
    Member

    The thumbnail looked like tram tracks. But is that two parallel kerbs? An area segregated from road and pavement?

    Posted 7 years ago #
  29. Klaxon
    Member

    For bicycles, perhaps?

    :)

    Posted 7 years ago #
  30. crowriver
    Member

    Aye, saw this yesterday while cycling past. Certainly looks a lot like the plans we've seen.

    Posted 7 years ago #

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