The Belisha beacons at meet of Dalmeny Street and Leith Walk were flashing this morning! Operational! (After a fashion: they still had black plastic bags over them, so flashing in a muted kinda way.) This is great because frankly that's been the worst place to cross the road in months.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Infrastructure
Leith Walk Project
(1161 posts)-
Posted 9 years ago #
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Today I have been in and around the Leith Walk area. It seems to me the bike lane is just a joke.
First pass there were 4 bins in a row sitting on the red tar. They looked like they had been left there deliberately. Not good.
Second pass there were 5 cars and a van double parked and blocking the cycle route.
Is Edinburgh Cooncil serious about this being a high class cycle facility or not? And if this is the standard to be expected is it worth the £8m government cash?? Or all the time and effort community groups have put into trying to get a proper facility?Posted 9 years ago # -
Parking enforcement will happen when 'work done'.
Bins should be dealt with sooner!
Posted 9 years ago # -
'work done'? Does that mean the whole route or just the bit that is underway now?
Given that the double parked cars and van were in a bit of the route that is fully complete (including having the white lines painted on) why do they need to wait at all before taking action against double parked vehicles?Posted 9 years ago # -
Still double parked vans this morning and had to stop to wait for lots of cars in the other lane, I went past the temp traffic lights on the sidewalk very slowly when noticed someone else also on a bike doing the same.
At least the new bit is nice and smooth, the old part feels so bumpy now.
Posted 9 years ago # -
"
Dear Stakeholders,
Leith Programme Stakeholder Update 64
Progress Update:
Although some time has been lost due to the recent weather conditions, Crummock (Scotland) Ltd are still anticipating that the main contracted works will be completed by 19 December with any remedial works being carried out after the New Year. It should be noted that the completion of certain parts of the remaining contracted works are weather dependent such as the installation of road markings and anti-skid treatments. The contractors will continue to monitor the weather forecasts and endeavour to get everything completed as planned.
Summary of Progress
Section 6b West (Balfour Street junction northwards)
· Minor pointing and road sign installation to completeSection 6b East (Lorne Street junction southwards)
· Pointing and road sign installation to completeSection 8b West (Jane Street to Casselbank Street)
· Minor pointing and road signs installation to completeSection 8b East (Manderston Street to Crown Street)
· Minor pointing and road sign installation to completeSection 8c West (Casselbank Street area)
· Minor pointing and road sign installation to completeSection 8c East (Crown Street northwards):
· Minor pointing and road sign installation to completeCarriageway
· Raised tables at junctions complete with exception of Jameson Place, Smith’s Place and entry to current site compoundWeekend Working – 13 December
The contractors will be carrying out footway works on Saturday 13 December 2014.Looking ahead for next week:
· Continue with footway inspections and remedial works
· Container bin recess north of Pilrig Street junction
· Concrete under slabs at area north of Iona Street junction
· Asphalt works at Arthur/Balfour Street
· Complete raised tables at Jameson Place, Smith’s Place and entrance to current site compound
· Testing and commissioning of lights and crossings
· Installation of poles and road signage
· Complete road line markings and anti-skid treatmentBus diversion or traffic delay information reminder:
For the most up to date information regarding any bus diversions and any traffic delays affecting Leith Walk please visit either of the sites below:
https://twitter.com/on_lothianbuses
https://twitter.com/edintravel
Regards
Alan"
Posted 9 years ago # -
'remedial works' does that include re-doing the faulty red chipped coloured tarmac?
A ridiculous mistake by the contractor which will add to our inconvenience while waiting for the brave new Leith Walk world to happen.Posted 9 years ago # -
Drone's-eye-view of the proposed route of the bridge across the bit where there used to be a bridge:
Posted 9 years ago # -
"
Dear Stakeholders,
Leith Programme Stakeholder Update 65
Works Update:
Crummock (Scotland) Ltd have now completed the bulk of their contracted works in the Pilrig Street to Crown Place section of Leith Walk. As reported in the last stakeholder update (No.64, 12 December 2014), recent weather conditions had hindered progress and this, unfortunately, continued into the last week and impacted on their ability to get everything completed as planned. Like most contractors, Crummock cease their operations over the Christmas period but will be back on site starting Tuesday 6 January in order to both finish any outstanding works and carry out remedial work as required. In keeping with our current approach, we will be seeking for them to get this carried out as quickly as possible.
We would like to thank you for your patience during these works and hope that the new road surface, pavements and pedestrian crossings once fully completed improve the area for everyone who lives, works or visits. We appreciate that some of you have been in touch to let us know about specific concerns; your input has helped us to manage the programme and strive to minimise disruption for all as far as possible.
We hope you all have a safe and happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year. I will provide further updates in the New Year.
Regards
Alan"
Posted 9 years ago # -
Walked the Walk today and was impressed with the works done so far.
The pavements seem so much wider and had much less street clutter on them. The zebra crossings were being well observed by motorists.
Think the biggest and cheapest change was the lack of commercial waste bins on the footpath.
Would be nice if the top half of the walk would be done to the same design standards but I very much doubt it.
I'm guessing if the trams ever make it to the foot of the walk much of this will be ripped up.
Some photos of double parked vehicles today
https://www.flickr.com/photos/130059894@N04/sets/72157649990944061/Posted 9 years ago # -
Presumably they will be adding some white lines soon??
Chips really not good enough -
PLENTY room for segregated cycle lanes IF there had been the will.
Posted 9 years ago # -
PLENTY room for segregated cycle lanes IF there had been the will.
Too right. And perfect opportunity to put those segregated lanes between the pavement and the parking bays, but no, it couldn't possibly work because "we don't have wide continental-style boulevards"... [except for Leith Walk, most of the main streets in the New Town, Lothian Road, etc.]
Posted 9 years ago # -
Posted 9 years ago #
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Sections of the roadway being redone yet again today near the bottom. It is not currently suitable for cycling, with a 4 inch ramp at least. My pannier bag was shaken off in traffic but fortunately not driven over.
Posted 9 years ago # -
"
Dear Stakeholders,
Leith Programme Stakeholder Update 66
Works Update:
Crummock (Scotland) Ltd commenced with the remaining contracted works in the Pilrig Street to Crown Place section of Leith Walk on 6 January. In tandem with this, they are also carrying out any remedial work as required. Weather conditions permitting, it is anticipated that all carriageway surfacing work will be completed by the end of next week with all work, including remedials, completed by the end of January. The current weather conditions are hindering the progress of specific elements of the job such as the installation of the road markings, for example, but every effort is being made to get this completed this as soon as possible.
Weekend Work:
The contractors will be working on Sunday 11 January in order to carry out work at the Stead’s Place and Jane Street junctions.
"
Posted 9 years ago # -
Walked the walk yesterday.
Couple of cars parking diagonally in the parking areas just after one of the zebra crossings. Wonder how long before this spreads.
Was easting a sandwich at the time so no photos taken
Posted 9 years ago # -
There is still a lack of any road markings for much of the length of the walk. In addition, the introduction of the wide red lane has been taken by many drivers as an invitation to double park.
Posted 9 years ago # -
"
CityCentreLeith Team (@CityCentreLeith)
05/02/2015 09:49
@kipamac @CyclingEdin @Edinburgh_CC Parking enforcement due soon, going to be a bit of a culture shock for some drivers! ^A"
Posted 9 years ago # -
Vast majority of cars parked in cycle or bus lane are outside of an empty space. Legislation is having its effect. First offence should be £100 fine, second £500 and the pound, third vehicle forfeit. There is no excuse (not even the Magic Parking Lights(c)).
Posted 9 years ago # -
"
Dear Stakeholders,
Leith Programme Stakeholder Update 68
The Foot of the Walk junction works:
The contractors carrying out the upgrade works to the Foot of the Walk junction (MacLay Civil Engineering Ltd) are anticipated to start mobilising next week, commencing 9 February, with full presence on site expected week commencing 16 February.The works, aimed at simplifying and improving the crossing for pedestrians, are expected to take 15 weeks to complete. In addition to road and footway resurfacing, the redesigned junction will see 4 single stage pedestrian crossings installed at the bottom of Leith Walk, Duke Street, Great Junction Street and Constitution Street. Once fully operational the junction crossing will include an all pedestrian phase allowing those on foot to cross more easily than at present improving the overall accessibility of the area in line with the design principles of the Leith Programme.
For the duration of these works, Constitution Street will be closed at its junction with Leith Walk as part of the traffic management arrangements in place aimed at minimising disruption to traffic flow as much as possible. Local access to this area will be via Laurie Street, Queen Charlotte Street, or Bernard Street. Three way temporary traffic lights will be in operation at the main Leith Walk junction to control traffic flow. It is anticipated that traffic management arrangements will commence on 16 February.
Bus diversion and general traffic conditions information reminder:
Details of the most up to date information regarding any bus diversions and traffic conditions affecting Leith Walk please visit either of the sites below:https://twitter.com/on_lothianbuses
https://twitter.com/edintravel
Ongoing Works – Pilrig Street to Crown Place:
Crummock (Scotland) Ltd, contractors on the Pilrig Street to Crown Place section, are continuing with localised remedials and the completion of outstanding works including bus tracker connections and the installation of cycle racks, road markings and associated signage. Getting the latter fully installed is important as this will allow the enforcement of the new parking regulations to commence. Details of these new regulations will follow in a separate update.New Design Layout:
The new design of Leith Walk, north of Pilrig Street, with additional formal and informal pedestrian crossing points appears to be working well at this early stage with pedestrians, cyclists and drivers getting used to the new pedestrian friendly layout and crossing locations. One of the main aims of the Leith Programme is to make the area more accessible and safe for those on foot and we would ask that all road users become familiar with the new layout and respect all the pedestrian crossing points."
Posted 9 years ago # -
I'm told that an inspection of the road markings (required for parking enforcement) has failed what has been done.
Posted 9 years ago # -
It's like the Shore revamp / TRO / reinforcement all over again. Despite being planned years in advance, they messed up with both road markings & failed to apply for the TRO. Took over a year from the opening of the one-way, no-parking Shore until they could reinforce the law.
It's still pointless, though. There's zero reinforcement on parking, folk Park entirely on the wide pavements & many still ignore 'No Entry' & 'No Right Turn' signage.
On the plus side, a CCTV pole (sans camera) was installed in October, and recently CCTV / Bus Lane Camera warning signs have appeared.
It's only taken 4 years....
Posted 9 years ago # -
Getting the latter fully installed is important as this will allow the enforcement of the new parking regulations to commence. Details of these new regulations will follow in a separate update.
Will this include 'double park outside a space', 'use your MPLs' 'there's plenty of room for parking on the pavement' etc?
Posted 9 years ago # -
Parking on pavement is currently a police mater, and it's not a police priority, so no enforcement.
As others have said the only enforcement of parking in Edinburgh is where there might be loss of income to the council.
A pic from yesterday. Both cars are parked on the zig-zags prior to zebra crossing, parked in cycle lane, double parked, using universal parking lights.
150208145706IMG_0280 by fountainbridge, on Flickr
Posted 9 years ago # -
No idea if these are correct/final markings. If so, pretty pathetic. Whose rule is it that lines at side of cycle lane aren't marked when there are Zebra zigzags?
Here it's a shame lines are on the red chips effectively narrowing the lane.
Posted 9 years ago # -
Another curious bit of design - especially if bus lanes lose 'all day' status.
Posted 9 years ago # -
The rules for zebra markings are in regulations which don't include what to do about cycle lanes. Maybe have zigzags each side of lane?
Posted 9 years ago # -
"Maybe have zigzags each side of lane?"
That's an interesting idea.
Legal because not illegal?
As the zigzags are there to 'warn' about the crossing, an extra set for non-bikes would seem to be a good idea.
Obviously the zigzags in the bike lane don't actually reduce its width - though I imagine it will make a psychological difference to some people - 'mustn't ride on the white lines'. (Or just a fear that they could be slippery when wet.)
Similarly the lack of white lines on the outside of the cycle lane might 'suggest' (to some drivers) that there is no bike lane.
So this design is 'created' by ill thought out regulations.
It's a shame that this 'flagship project' - part funded with extra SG money - couldn't have produced something better.
(Or segregated lanes of course!)
Posted 9 years ago # -
latest version of draft TSRGD 2015 includes "7. The zig-zag lines may to (sic) be placed up to 2 metres from the edge of the carriageway to allow cyclists to ride on the nearside of the lines." p.467/469/471.
A FOI response re previous consultation included CTC response favouring this layout: "Yes Please
No kerb markings.
Inter-lane markings outside cycle lane width"
"No thanks
A common, but not very practical or user friendly, interpretation of the TSRGD arrangement"
"Non-compliant
Mixing cycle lane and crossing markings"
Posted 9 years ago # -
Very interesting!
That middle pic is just weird!
Posted 9 years ago #
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