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Leith Walk Project

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  1. DdF
    Member

    I largely agree with @crowriver re the foot of walk junction.

    Incidentally, I'm not sure if the plans have been 'published' or 'leaked' - they are not on the council website in the Leith Walk pages as far as I can see. They were shown at the cycle forum this week but if I remember rightly (which I may not) it was said that there might still be further tweaks before they were published for consultation.

    Everyone who has been following Leith Walk developments will know that south of Pilrig there will be segregated cycle facilities [final details still to be published and consulted on] whereas from Pilrig to Foot of Walk will be onroad advisory lanes.

    Whilst the latter is very disappointing it is now a fact, with several consultation phases over, the TROs already published, and realistically no further chance of major changes. It is at least better than previously, as the lanes are slightly wider and also have a buffer zone next to the car parking bays.

    My main point now is that the solution for the foot of walk junction has to be compatible with that set-up in Leith Walk. @crowriver and Greener Leith have made a few realistic suggestions. Any others?

    Re. the 20mph, they will not deal with this as a one-off at the junction, but as part of the major 20mph consultation this spring/summer which is promised under the LTS. Personally I can't see how they could get away with Leith Walk not being 20mph given the contents of the LTS, especially all the way down from London Road, so it will be interesting to see what they propose when the consultation comes out. Doubtless there are a few officials/councillors who might like to keep 30, but I doubt they will win out in the internal battles about what goes into the consultation document.

    Posted 10 years ago #
  2. DdF
    Member

    Wierd! The plans are on the council site as a download...

    but they are not (as I write) on the Leith Walk pages.

    That suggests to me that someone happened to find the download link before the council was quite ready to publish it (with or without further tweaks) for consultation.

    Posted 10 years ago #
  3. chdot
    Admin

    "
    Wierd! The plans are on the council site as a download...

    but they are not (as I write) on the Leith Walk pages.

    "

    It's a conspiracy! (Not)

    Re 20mph and the 'city wide consultation', this is obviously good and there is quite a lot of momentum/public desire/political will behind the process - it's just a pity that more of the design/consultation for LW wasn't (so far) on the basis that 20mph was desirable/possible - even 'likely'.

    "Doubtless there are a few officials/councillors who might like to keep 30, but I doubt they will win out in the internal battles about what goes into the consultation document."

    I'm sure the first part of that is correct...

    I think/hope/believe the second part is too!

    Posted 10 years ago #
  4. crowriver
    Member

    Probably also worth reminding ourselves what the Foot of the Walk looks like just now: five lanes of traffic; big sweeping curves on the junction encouraging speed; narrow pavements; split-phase pedestrian crossings; no cycling facilities at all.

    http://goo.gl/maps/4bhiX

    Whatever the shortcomings, the proposals are a significant step in taming this junction and making it more pedestrian and cyclist friendly.

    Posted 10 years ago #
  5. chdot
    Admin

    Planters for George Street.

    Posted 10 years ago #
  6. Calum
    Member

    @crowriver: Absolutely. We should applaud genuine improvements. My concern is that there are just so many streets that need attention and I would not like to see this setting the standard for future projects. We should always push for higher standards.

    Posted 10 years ago #
  7. chdot
    Admin

    "

    Now councillors plan to spend an extra £1 million for additional works as part of the Leith Programme – £9.1 million worth of road, footway and cycle improvements – to take account of the possibility of the tram line being extended in future.

    "

    http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/city-chiefs-to-get-leith-prepared-for-tram-line-1-3343224

    Posted 10 years ago #
  8. chdot
    Admin

    "
    Next phase of Leith Programme on course to get under way

    Published Monday 17 March 2014

    The next phase of a major programme of investment into Leith Walk is set to move a step closer.

    A report to the City of Edinburgh Council's Transport and Environment Committee tomorrow [Tuesday 18 March 2014] will detail the circumstances in which construction work on the section from the foot of Leith Walk to Pilrig Street could begin soon.

    Councillors are to also consider approving some additional works as part of the Leith Programme to take account of the possibility for the tram line to be extended to Leith in future.

    A number of objections were submitted during the consultation process on the Traffic Regulation Order advertised for the next phase of the £9.1m Leith Programme scheme.

    Although a proportion of these objections have since been withdrawn following alterations to the programme and further consultation with the objectors, outstanding objections relating to loading restrictions in discrete sections of Leith Walk mean that the matter will require a public hearing at a later date.

    "

    http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/news/article/1480/next_phase_of_leith_programme_on_course_to_get_under_way

    More info -

    http://andrewburns.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/next-phase-of-leith-programme.html

    Posted 10 years ago #
  9. chdot
    Admin

    "

    Businesses which have already suffered the nightmare of tram works in Leith Walk warned any new construction programme must be handled differently – and some said they did not want the trams at all.

    "

    http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/transport/leith-divided-over-tram-extension-plan-1-3344158

    Posted 10 years ago #
  10. PS
    Member

    “Trams will soon be running to York Place, fine. Are they a white elephant? Very likely. Why would you make it a purple elephant by continuing it down Leith Walk?”

    *Does Ian Faith-style double-take*

    Posted 10 years ago #
  11. chdot
    Admin

    "
    WITHOUT huge levels of traffic, Picardy Place would once again be a social place that is a joy to visit – but as it stands at the moment,

    Sir Terry believes it requires a complete rethink. If nothing is done, the traffic problem will be exacerbated when trams are introduced, as cars and buses are squeezed into even less space.

    He believes the area would benefit from creating a modern equivalent of the pedestrian squares which existed at Picardy Place, until they were demolished in the 1960s.

    "

    http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/sir-terry-farrell-in-bold-vision-for-edinburgh-s-future-1-1256496

    Posted 10 years ago #
  12. chdot
    Admin

    "
    Dear Stakeholders,

    Stakeholder email update 40: Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) and Award of Contract latest

    TRO – Partial TRO approved for Pilrig Street to Duke Street section

    On Tuesday 18 March 2014 the City of Edinburgh Council's Transport and Environment Committee considered the Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) report for the northern half of Leith Walk, between Pilrig Street and Duke Street. Councillors approved the recommendations contained within the report including giving approval to make the advertised TRO in part and instructing officials to write to the Scottish Government to propose that a public hearing be held into the unwithdrawn TRO objections relating to areas north of Pilrig Street and between Jane Street and Casselbank Street. A hearing will allow objectors to have their concerns heard independently by a Scottish Government appointed reporter.

    The full list of recommendations approved by Councillors can be found in the TRO report (Item 7.2) on our website.
    Award of Contract

    On Thursday 20 March 2014, the Finance and Resources Committee considered the Leith Programme Phase 2 Award of Contract report (Item 7.14) and approved the delegation of authority to the Director of Services for Communities, in consultation with the Convener and Vice Convener of the Committee, to appoint the contractor that submits the most economically advantageous tender to carry out the next phase (phase 2 – between Pilrig Street and the foot of the Walk) of the Leith Programme. The aim of this delegation is to see the improvement work commence at the earliest opportunity. The contract will be awarded shortly and another stakeholder and webpage update will be circulated to keep everyone informed.

    I hope you find this update useful. If you want to find out more information about the Leith Programme, please check our Leith Programme web pages (www.edinburgh.gov.uk/leithimprovements)

    Kind regards

    "

    Posted 10 years ago #
  13. crowriver
    Member

    Direct link to TRO report here. The objections make for grim reading. Narrow business interests promoted over those of local residents.

    This is perinent:

    Next Steps

    2.49 In accordance with the requirements of the Local Authorities’ Traffic Orders
    (Procedure) (Scotland) Regulations 1999, if an objection is made to the advertised Traffic Regulation Order on the grounds of loading provision and the objection is not withdrawn, a public hearing is mandatory. This hearing should be conducted by an independent Reporter appointed in accordance with the requirements of the Local Authorities’ Traffic Orders (Procedure) (Scotland) Regulations 1999.

    2.50 If Members accept the recommendations in this report, officials will request that the Scottish Government arranges the necessary public hearing at the earliest
    opportunity. A further report on the outcomes of that process will then be brought to Committee.

    2.51 If the advertised Traffic Regulation Order is deferred to await the outcome of a public hearing, this could delay implementing the improvements by between 6 and 18 months. Therefore, in order to allow the scheme to proceed without undue delay, the Committee is asked to set aside all those objections which do not relate to loading, and to make the Order in part. This will allow the Council to expedite the delivery of this phase of the scheme, omitting the three specific areas referred to in paragraphs 2.37–2.39 where loading related objections have been received. These locations are shown in Appendix 4.

    2.52 The current Traffic Regulation Order which is in effect on Leith Walk is the pre-tram Order, which does not accurately reflect what is on the ground at present. As such, if the Council are unable to proceed with the new design following a public hearing, the Council would revert to providing loading/unloading facilities equivalent to those provided under the pre-tram layout at the three locations where loading objections have been received.

    2.53 For the three areas of Leith Walk omitted from the Order in part, the proposed way forward is therefore as follows:
    • immediately north of Balfour Street – withdraw advertised proposals for this section, and initiate a new Traffic Regulation Order for the amended layout;
    • between Jane Street and Casselbank Street – proceed with pre-tram loading/unloading provision pending the public hearing outcome. The amended layout would then be implemented should the Council be successful at the hearing; and
    • just north of Pilrig Street - proceed with pre-tram loading/unloading provision pending the public hearing outcome. The amended layout would then be implemented should the Council be successful at the hearing.

    2.54 Plans showing the pre-tram layout at these locations are provided in Appendix 4.

    2.55 As no objections were received to the Redetermination Order, this can now be
    made.

    Posted 10 years ago #
  14. chdot
    Admin

    "

    Dear Stakeholders,

    Stakeholder email update 41: Award of Contract – Anticipated Works Start Date

    We can announce that the Tender assessment for the next phase of the Leith Programme (Pilrig Street to the Foot of the Walk) is complete and the winning Tenderer is Crummock (Scotland) Ltd. The contractors will now begin to mobilise for an anticipated works start date of 5th May 2014.

    Our contractors have assured us that they will make every effort to keep disruption to a minimum, keep the worksites safe and maintain access to properties and businesses. Measures to endeavour to ensure this include:
    · Providing safe segregated working sites and safe surrounds
    · Providing appropriate signage and information
    · Working outwith normal site hours of operation if issues are identified with maintaining access during the working day
    · Minimise parking restrictions as much as possible
    · Dust suppression during cutting procedures
    · Daily inspection of site for cleanliness, security, trip hazards

    At times, it will be necessary to close side roads during resurfacing and work on junctions but these will be kept to a minimum and diversion routes carefully signed.

    In order to keep people in both the immediate and wider area informed of the work, letters are going out to 16,600 addresses in the broader Leith Programme area.

    During the works, timescales, road diversion and access information will be regularly updated on the Council website http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/leithimprovements

    General questions regarding the work can be addressed to the City Centre and Leith Neighbourhood Team, citycentreteam@edinburgh.gov.uk, or 0131 529 7061.

    "

    Posted 10 years ago #
  15. wingpig
    Member

    Oh. Crummock. Yay. What tactile-mis-installation and rumblebrick delights can they surprise Leith Wall's users with?

    Posted 10 years ago #
  16. chdot
    Admin

    "

    Dear Stakeholders,

    Stakeholder email update 42: Works Start Date (Pilrig Street to Crown Place) - Revised

    Following discussions with our contractors, Crummock (Scotland) Ltd, the mobilisation timescales for the next section of the Leith Programme have now been confirmed in more detail.

    Crummock staff will have a site presence in the area from 12 May in order to carry out a dilapidation survey of sections 5-8 (Pilrig Street to Crown Place). A ‘dilapidation’ survey records the condition of properties around the worksite prior to works commencing.

    The construction work is scheduled to commence in the week beginning 19 May. This information supersedes that provided in the earlier stakeholder update of 9 April.

    General questions regarding the work can be addressed to the City Centre and Leith Neighbourhood Team, citycentreteam@edinburgh.gov.uk, or 0131 529 7061.

    "

    Posted 10 years ago #
  17. chdot
    Admin

    "

    Dear Stakeholders,

    Stakeholder email update 43: Start of Works (Pilrig Street to Crown Place)

    In advance of the construction work starting on the Pilrig Street to Crown Place stretch of Leith Walk on Monday 19 May, we’re now in a position to provide more information relating to a number of aspects of the work.

    Duration of Works

    The Pilrig Street to Crown Place section of the Leith Walk works is scheduled to last 30 weeks and with an anticipated finish in mid-December 2014.

    Number of worksites

    There will be twelve separate worksites in total on this section of Leith Walk.

    Size of worksites

    The size of the worksites will vary but will, in general, be between 60-80 metres in length each.

    Duration at each site

    This will depend on the complexity of each individual site but is expected, on average, to be in the region of a month. In some sections, this may be less, while in others it may be more. We’ll provide more detailed updates during the works at each site.

    The first worksites

    Two separate worksites will be running in tandem at any one time. The first two will cover the following areas:
    · 366 Leith Walk to 337 Leith Walk (area taking in Iona Street junction northwards)
    · 202 Leith Walk to 172 Leith Walk (area taking in Smiths Place junction, Springfield Street junction extending south)

    Temporary loading/unloading bays

    Temporary bays will be provided adjacent to each worksite. A questionnaire has been distributed to local businesses in the worksite areas seeking information regarding the delivery/collection requirements of each business in order to help inform our contractor and to assist in trying to minimise any disruption to normal business operations.

    Waste collection arrangements

    Presentation points for both domestic and trade waste will be provided adjacent to each worksite and the collection times will remain the same as they currently are. Domestic waste will continue to be collected on Wednesday and Sunday evenings while the current trade waste presentation windows (10:00am to 11.30am and 2:00pm to 3:30pm) will continue to operate. Letters are going out to residents to inform of the temporary domestic waste arrangements while local businesses have also been informed in the delivery/collection questionnaire distributed by our contractors. Signage will be put in place directing people to the temporary presentation points.

    Bus stops

    The bus stop at 352 Leith Walk (adjacent to St Columba’s Hospice charity shop) will move temporarily northwards adjacent to 332 Leith Walk. The bus stop at 177 Leith Walk (adjacent to Miller’s Flooring) will move northwards to the former Lothian Buses depot at 165 Leith Walk.

    Pavement and Road resurfacing

    Work will firstly commence with the resurfacing of the outer pavement areas before then carrying out the resurfacing of the pavements in adjacent to property frontages. Every effort will be made to maintain access to businesses and residential properties at all times. In some cases, if the contractor identifies a significant problem in ensuring this, work may take place outside of normal site hours. Carriageway resurfacing will be carried out following this footway work and it is the intention to use lane closures on Leith Walk with the appropriate Traffic Management arrangements, such as temporary traffic lights where required. It will be necessary to temporarily close some side streets when the work is being carried out but these will be kept to a minimum and as much advance notice as possible will be provided.

    Parking

    While it will be necessary to restrict parking while the works are ongoing in specific areas, our contractors will endeavour to keep these to a minimum.

    General questions regarding the work can be addressed to the City Centre and Leith Neighbourhood Team, citycentreteam@edinburgh.gov.uk, or 0131 529 7061.

    "

    Posted 10 years ago #
  18. chdot
    Admin

  19. chdot
    Admin

    "

    Stakeholder email update 44: Progress update

    Following the start of the first sections of the Leith Walk works on Monday 19 May, we’re now in a position to provide early progress information. The programme is currently on schedule as planned.

    The first worksites

    Two separate worksites are currently running in tandem, Section 5A and Section 7A and cover the following areas:
    · Section 5A - 366 Leith Walk to 337 Leith Walk (area taking in Iona Street junction northwards)
    · Section 7A - 202 Leith Walk to 172 Leith Walk (area taking in Smiths Place junction, Springfield Street junction extending south)

    Planned completion timescale

    Both worksites are planned to finish week commencing 16 June 2014.

    Works progress summary to date

    1. Site clearance completed
    2. Existing kerbs removed and set aside for re-use
    3. Existing slabs removed
    4. Kerb installation to new line commenced
    5. New gully connection and installation in both sections
    6. New lighting column installed in 5A

    Plans for next week – Commencing 2 June

    1. Complete kerb installation in both sections
    2. Progress the laying of the new slabs
    3. Install new lighting column in 7A
    4. Removal of existing bus shelter in 5A
    5. Carriageway testing to be undertaken

    Next worksites

    The next worksites, Sections 5B and 7B, are due to start immediately following the completion of the previous sections around week commencing 16 June.

    These sections will cover the following areas:
    · Section 5B - 337 Leith Walk to 301 Leith Walk (area north of Iona Street stopping before the Dalmeny Street Junction)
    · Section 7B – 177 Leith Walk to 165 Leith Walk (area at Smith’s Place junction to around former Lothian Buses depot)

    Timescales for these next sections are anticipated to be, like the previous ones, in the region of 4 weeks.

    We hope you find this update useful and general questions regarding the work can be addressed to the City Centre and Leith Neighbourhood Team, citycentreteam@edinburgh.gov.uk, or 0131 529 7061.

    "

    Posted 10 years ago #
  20. chdot
    Admin

    "

    Dear Stakeholders

    Stakeholder email update 45: Revised timescale update
    Our contractors have advised of a revision to the planned completion date for the first sections (5a and 7a) of the Leith Walk works. It was reported in the previous update (No.44, 29 May) that the two initial worksites were scheduled to finish week commencing 16th June. This has now been revised and the anticipated completion timescale is now week commencing 23rd June. This change to the timescale for these sections should not alter the planned finishing date for the main sections (5 & 7) and this remains the 11th August.
    Contributing factors to this revision have included some gully connections taking longer than expected, the installation and service connections to the new lighting columns, the need to raise the height of some service covers and more complex slabbing work required due to a number of varying sized utilities covers in some locations. Lessons have been learned from the experience of these initial sites and this will help inform the work in future sections.
    The next worksites

    The next worksites, Sections 5b and 7b, are due to start immediately following the completion of sections 5a and 7a. The barriers and fencing from these initial worksites will be removed once completed and moved to the next sections.

    As a reminder, sections will cover the following approximate areas:
    · Section 5B - 337 Leith Walk to 301 Leith Walk (area north of Iona Street stopping before the Dalmeny Street Junction)
    · Section 7B – 177 Leith Walk to 165 Leith Walk (area at Smith’s Place junction to around former Lothian Buses depot)

    We hope you find this update useful and general questions regarding the work can be addressed to the City Centre and Leith Neighbourhood Team, citycentreteam@edinburgh.gov.uk, or 0131 529 7061.

    "

    Posted 10 years ago #
  21. chdot
    Admin

    Things are happening -

    More pix

    Posted 10 years ago #
  22. chdot
    Admin

    "

    Dear Stakeholders

    Stakeholder email 46: Progress update

    Crummock (Scotland) Ltd, our contractors, are entering the transitional phase of moving the current worksites on to the next sections and this email provides the latest estimated timescale update for these moves. We would like to apologise for the timing revisions that have taken place during this initial phase of the works and hope that any disruption and inconvenience has been kept to a minimum. We’d like to stress that the timescales we publish are always given in good faith and based on the information available at the time.

    Footway resurfacing

    The contractors anticipate that:

    1) The barriers currently in place enclosing the worksite section immediately north of Pilrig Church (5A West) will be moving down to the next section (5B West) today (30 June) in order to allow the work there to commence.

    2) The barriers in place in the section north of Iona Street (5A East) should move down later tomorrow (1 July) to the next section (5B East).

    3) The section adjacent to Springfield Street (section 7A West) should be moving later tomorrow to the next site (Section 7B West).

    4) The move of the worksite south of Smith's Place (Section 7A East) will take slightly longer and the fencing for the next worksite (Section 7B East) should be moving later in the week.

    Carriageway resurfacing

    The carriageway resurfacing on the current sections will start week commencing Monday 7 July. It is intended that this will involve lane closures and further details on traffic management arrangements will follow in the next stakeholder email.

    If conditions/events mean that some of the dates above will change significantly, I will email you with an update.

    Regards

    Alan

    "

    Posted 10 years ago #
  23. chdot
    Admin

    "

    Dear Stakeholders

    Stakeholder email 47: Update (various)

    Carriageway resurfacing

    As mentioned in the update of 30 June, the carriageway resurfacing on the current sections 5 (north of Pilrig Street) and 7 (around Springfield Street) is scheduled to start on Monday 7 July with section 5 planned to commence first. During the initial phases of the resurfacing, it is the contractor’s intention to carry out the work to section 5 while maintaining two way traffic. The use of temporary traffic lights will be required, however, during the final surface course layer. Section 7 will require traffic lights to be set up as the road at this location isn’t wide enough to accommodate our works and two way traffic.

    In order to help maximise the lifespan of the road surface, it is necessary to resurface as large an area as possible without any breaks or joints, as these can become the road’s future weak points. With this in mind, sections of around 120 metres will be resurfaced at the one time in order to achieve this. Parking will have to be restricted in these sections where this resurfacing is taking place as there will not be available space. We will deal with deliveries on a case by case basis and seek to facilitate these where it is safe and practicable to do so. It is envisaged that the carriageway resurfacing will be the most disruptive element of the works and, timescale-wise, we will look to get current sections completed over a two-week period.

    Partial Iona Street road closure
    Due to the imminent road resurfacing, Iona Street will be subject to a temporary road closure and associated restrictions to waiting, loading and unloading between Buchanan Street and the junction of Leith Walk. Traffic will be temporarily diverted via Buchanan Street and Dalmeny Street. The Temporary Traffic Regulation Order (TTRO) will be implemented from 6:00am on Monday 7 July until 7:00pm on Friday 11 July. Emergency vehicular access and pedestrian flow shall be maintained during this time.

    Site transition management
    We’ve had concerns expressed that worksites are not being fully completed before the contractor is moving on to the next worksite and then incorporating these areas as part of the new work sections. This will happen at times and we would like to clarify that it is to minimise time on site and minimise disruption. Works are planned as a rolling programme where the worksites ‘slide’ northwards. The size of the individual footway worksites will vary in size and will, in general, remain at around 60-80 metres in length; this flexibility will enable work to progress smoothly whilst reflecting natural break points along the street. We understand that many traders will be concerned about the potential impact of the works on customer parking; as we shift between worksites, we will do all we can to ensure we preserve as much parking space as possible for public use.

    With these updates I am trying to provide as much useful information to you as possible. While understanding that works will likely cause you some disruption, it is hoped that by having this information it will help you prepare and manage any possible impact from the works. These updates are detailed and the nature of the works we are undertaking means that there will be occasions when plans have to change.

    "

    Posted 10 years ago #
  24. chdot
    Admin

    "

    “We’ve been able to do a deal for the movement of demolition materials from the St James site and we’ll play our part in getting building materials to it as well,” he says.

    "

    http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/opinion/john-mclellan-make-most-of-leith-docks-1-3480891

    Interesting that Forth Ports plans to 'export' the St James' Quarter rubble down Leith Walk.

    I HOPE that will be carefully managed/monitored - tipper trucks are notorious (in London at least) for the disproportionate numbers of bicycle 'incidents'.

    20mph for LW bit more urgent(?)

    Posted 10 years ago #
  25. DdF
    Member

    "Interesting that Forth Ports plans to 'export' the St James' Quarter rubble down Leith Walk. I HOPE that will be carefully managed/monitored - tipper trucks are notorious (in London at least) for the disproportionate numbers of bicycle 'incidents'."

    When the planning application for St James Quarter comes out [this autumn?] we should try and get a condition attached to the council's likely approval. The condition being that only HGV drivers who have undergone cycle training should be used, as in the lead already set by the council. See page 6 of Spokes 119.

    Posted 10 years ago #
  26. kaputnik
    Moderator

    The condition being that only HGV drivers who have undergone cycle training should be used, as in the lead already set by the council.

    We should be aware of one of the problems in London, where tippers are being used in the centre during rush hour because they are banned "out of hours" by City of London order. This means there's a fleet of tippers ready to go at 8AM to get work started. Given so many of Edinburgh's cyclists are commuters and probably out 8AM-9AM and 4PM-6PM, I would be strongly in favour of tippers on the "rubble run" only being used say between 10AM and 4PM.

    When they make applications for Opencast mining, they specify the number of lorries per hour and the minimum spacing between them (in minutes), even if anecdotal evidence suggests that operators regularly flaunt these restrictions.

    Posted 10 years ago #
  27. chdot
    Admin

    "

    Bungling council chiefs have been blasted for turning a busy pavement into a “slalom course” after ignoring earlier warnings from business owners.

    The council is now working to re-position several lampposts “marooned” on Leith Walk after admitting its mistake.

    "

    http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/council-slammed-over-leith-walk-lamppost-slalom-1-3490590

    Posted 10 years ago #
  28. crowriver
    Member

    A comment on that story linked to this rather interesting story from April:

    Toxic Edinburgh air pollution ‘kills 200 a year’

    An intriguing snippet in this latter article (my bold):

    "In recent years city chiefs have taken great strides to improve the air quality in the Capital by introducing ­hybrid buses, cutting to 20 mph ­residential speed limits and devoting seven per cent of the overall transport budget to ­cycling projects,

    They have also set an ambitious target of reducing overall car journeys in the city to 31 per cent by 2020 – from its current figure of 43 per cent."

    Also:

    "Transport and environment convenor Councillor Lesley Hinds accepted the air pollution figures showed there was “still much to be done” and has targeted to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 42 per cent in the next six years.

    She said: “We are also prioritising pedestrians and cyclists and have pledged a significant proportion of our transport budget to active travel. As a compact city Edinburgh is ideally suited to walking and cycling, and we are continuously making improvements to our cycle routes and walkways to encourage more people to leave the car at home, which will have a further positive impact on air quality, as will our work with the haulage industry through the ECOSTARS ­Edinburgh scheme.

    “In addition, through a new travel planning service we’ll be liaising with Edinburgh employers to encourage them to follow the council’s lead in reducing the need for employees to travel, for example by encouraging home-or-remote-working for staff.”

    Posted 10 years ago #
  29. mgj
    Member

    Until the Council and Police start dealing with double parking on Leith Walk, all these improvements have a net effect of pushing cyclists (particularly on the uphill direction) into the path of faster moving traffic. Cycling home yesterday there were around a dozen double parked cars in the cycle/bus lane, often when there was nothing parked in the parking bay, because they know they can get a ticket for being parked in a bay but it needs the police to deal with double parking. The road surface is not very flat either, although much better than the potholed one that was there before.

    Posted 10 years ago #
  30. crowriver
    Member

    The reason/excuse for not targetting illegal paring on LW (given by a traffic planner/street designer at the LW consultation day aeons ago) was that, due to the tram utilities works, road markings had been largely obliterated, meaning restrictions "cannot be enforced".

    So, once road markings are as clear as day, presumably we'll see an avalanche of parking attendants descending onto LW? Don't hold your breath.

    Posted 10 years ago #

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