"That's how the planning officer explained it to me this afternoon when I asked why they'd gone for the bricks..."
Style over function?
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Infrastructure
NEPN, Craigleith Junction upgrade. Have your say
(223 posts)-
Posted 10 years ago #
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In particular I am concerned about the width of the opening at Maidencraig Crescent.
Too wide or too narrow?
Posted 10 years ago # -
I'm concerned it might be too narrow for my trike.
Posted 10 years ago # -
Looking at the proposal again, why do we always have to have chicane barriers? They're a complete pain to negotiate on anything other than a normal upright bike.
Why couldn't CEC modify South Groathill Avenue instead to make motorists slalom around obstacles? After all, they're the ones who present the danger.
Posted 10 years ago # -
"Looking at the proposal again, why do we always have to have chicane barriers? They're a complete pain to negotiate on anything other than a normal upright bike."
Because they're a complete pain to negotiate on anything other than a normal upright bike? I suspect if you asked planners to describe what a cyclist rides, they'd probably only think of a traditional upright, two-wheeled bike, no trailer, no second seat, probably not even panniers. Anything significantly different in style would be a stretch.
Posted 10 years ago # -
As far as the cost goes, I seem to remember (though I can't find a link) that the council had been given some sort of grant (£30K comes to mind) to be spent specifically on that junction, that had to be spent this FY. I go through there pretty often and I'm happy with a bit of 'traffic calming' - the sight lines were poor considering the speed some riders are moving on the main path. I agree that there are places more in need of having that kind of money spent on them, but I don't think that was an available option.
Posted 10 years ago # -
The northernmost trench past the junction has been (badly and sloppily) filed in (and stamped-down, not rolled properly) so must just have been for fiddling about with the wires to the lamppost rather than another rumblestrip.
Impossible to see yet how wide the west chicane might be, AME, so maybe measure your trike and try and get hold of someone at the council who can ensure the chicane will be wide enough. The fact that the chicanes installed on the Crawford bridge had to be widened a couple of weeks after installation shows that there may be a risk they'll be put in too close, initially.Posted 10 years ago # -
The latest photo:
That black "V" section is set several centimetres below the existing surface, presenting a nice tyre sidewall shredding opportunity. There's no warning, no cones, nothing. In the dark, it's not that obvious that there's a drop into it.
And yes, as wingpig says, the trenches for the light wiring have been very poorly covered over. Hopefully these are just temporary fills until the new surface shown in the plans is put in.
Finally, and purely for 'scientific reasons', I proved to myself that I was right - it is possible to safely bunny hop the rumble strips, and if done at an angle, you can even still head up the ramp to Maidencraig Crescent. Don't worry, I did it when the path was empty - no human beings or animals were endangered, inconvenienced or terrified during the experiment ;-)
Posted 10 years ago # -
Very odd. Is it getting another layer to bring it up to the same lever as the rest of the path?
Posted 10 years ago # -
If a ditch proportionately as wide as that existed on a road, most times you would expect a sign warning of a 'ramp' or for it to be closed off to traffic. We obviously don't matter as much when there are no cars around.
As for why it's like that, perhaps something to do with the drainage plan? Either a more permeable surface to go on top or just giving space to put their drainage measures in.
Posted 10 years ago # -
"
The Innertube map (@innertubemap)
30/03/2014 13:02
Improvements underway at Craigleith Quarry Junction. shar.es/BhPD3http://pic.twitter.com/RGRzvgDdWr
"
Posted 10 years ago # -
More photos:
Rumble strip
Maidencraig Crescent access - no sign of narrowing yet...
Maidencraig Crescent side again
Improved sight lines?
I hope this isn't finished, or we won't need the rumble strip...Posted 10 years ago # -
Is the bit in the middle deliberately shaped like a heart?
Posted 10 years ago # -
"
Stuart Threlfall (@snowcycleuk)
27/03/2014 09:37
@north_team Rumble strips Roseburn Path Craigleith are not set right, nearly came off bike. Painted lines cheaper and wheelchair friendly."
"
North Team (@north_team)
27/03/2014 10:55
@snowcycleuk WIll get a response from cycling team, thanks, E"
Posted 10 years ago # -
I hit the rumblestrips going fairly fast on my road bike yesterday as a bit of an experiment. It wasn't the most comfortable experience on 100psi, but I've felt worse. I wouldn't fancy hitting them at an angle were they covered with damp leaf mulch, however.
Posted 10 years ago # -
I too was out on Saturday photographing the works. I was interested in the height of the bricks used for the speed bumps:
because the first time a maintenance van goes across them probably won't do them much good. I also looked at the texture, thinking they were shiny, glazed things, but they look much like block paviers which I would have expected CEC to use in this instance.
Posted 10 years ago # -
Doesn't seem to have been much progress today.
Posted 10 years ago # -
I went over them yesterday as fast as possible on my 16" folder. I can't say I really noticed them at all.
As Arellcat suggests, the question is more what will happen with a load of freeze-thaw and maintenance vehicles driving over them, because if local youth get any of the bricks out, that hole is going to make a real mess of someone...
Posted 10 years ago # -
From CEC
"
At Maidencraig Crescent the exit is level so no need for chicanes but we did want to prevent vehicle access and create an entrance feature.
The works at Craigleith will actually increase the distance between the chicanes at South Groathill Avenue from 2m to 3m so this scheme will actually make it easier for cyclists to use.
"
Posted 10 years ago # -
I wonder if the police have a say on access to the NEPN being restricted to motor vehicles (of the 4-wheeled variety)? Currently, they can easily get on at Wester Coates and at either of the other two end points I assume. If Maidencraig Cres ends up with a narrowed entrance it would reduce the options, although I don't know if they've ever used it to date.
Posted 10 years ago # -
I was told that maidencraig access would have gate that could be opened, as it was required for 'maintenance vehicl access'.
Posted 10 years ago # -
Posted 10 years ago #
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thanks for the daily tour!
Posted 10 years ago # -
They've just filled the gap round the red kerb, rolled it and sealed it. Slight join and the seal-line is a bit lumpy but it's slightly better than the split-level effect. They've also chipped out the shoddy filling next to the lamppost (only on the Granton-side) and will presumably replace that, though in the meantime beware the inch-deep trench.
Posted 10 years ago # -
For some reason the Crummock workings at the Leith Links works started at 08:00 whilst Craigleith didn't seem to get going until nearer 09:00.
Posted 10 years ago # -
Craigleith Jct speed bumps - with my water bottle for scale. As far as I could tell, the bricks are set in a mix of fine gravel and sand, with a little mortar fixing. Their shallow depth is why I fear they will likely loosen themselves the first time a maintenance vehicle passes over them.
I took the torpedo over the bumps at speed and as has been noted already, they're an annoyance. I think big tree roots and dogs off their leashes do a better job of encouraging cyclists to ride slower.
Posted 10 years ago # -
Around two thirds of the "bonded surfacing in buff" has been laid, from the Groathill end. I seriously hope that's not the finished product because even in the dry it looks slippy! I rode up it today and didn't fancy the thought of it in the wet, let alone when icy.
I had imagined a grippy surface such as used on roads where a bit of braking help is needed, but for now at least we've been given something more like a polished sports hall floor :-(
Posted 10 years ago # -
Posted 10 years ago #
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Today's spine-chilling update, starring DaveC as Man with Red Pannier...
Posted 10 years ago # -
@Focus, I would have expected the surface they'd put down to have been sprinkled with aggregate before it set. (See Resin bonded surface as an example of the sort of construction. Perhaps they forgot, and will re-lay it with the aggregate when they get around to doing the rest.
Posted 10 years ago #
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