CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Commuting

Beware signs on the path, A90 north of Burnshot

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  1. skotl
    Member

    I think that these arrived tonight.

    Heading North on the A90 path, north of the Kirkliston turnoff and when the new works end, I was surprised to find one, no, two, huh, three roadworks signs on the path.

    The signs are facing the southbound traffic so we get to see their rear-ends when heading north. Each sign is half on the grass and half into the path.

    I hardly saw them tonight in almost perfect (night) visibility - if they had been out last night in the rain then I think the risk of hitting one with a left hand bar would be pretty significant.

    So, firstly, do please watch out.
    Secondly, is there anyone we can appeal to, to get them moved off the path?

    Posted 11 years ago #

  2. minus six
    Member

    Nothing new about this, on this route.

    I tend to just pause awhile and then throw them over the dyke.

    They are placed without consideration, so I treat them likewise.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  3. minus six
    Member

    That said, I'm off to Germany for a couple of weeks so someone else will have to deal with this one

    Posted 11 years ago #

  4. skotl
    Member

    That did occur to me last night - if they're still there on Monday then they *may* suffer an unfortunate fate...

    Posted 11 years ago #

  5. Focus
    Member

    I decided to head out that way, as far as the Estate main entrance, at the end of my ride today. The 3 signs are there - nothing displayed on them at present! - but only intruding into the cycle path by about 15cm or so. Not ideal but should be fine if you're sensible enough to have lights on. Still, they could have been placed on the edge of the verge without hindering anyone. Perhaps the workmen are told to leave a gap where possible, to avoid them being clipped by anyone driving too near the edge of the road? Or I could just be giving them too much benefit of the doubt.

    Either way, I don't think they are a huge problem as I found them. But it would be nice if all signs had to have reflective strips on their legs.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  6. skotl
    Member

    Fair enough, @Focus.

    I suspect you're right about them needing to be inset from the road. It would be worse if a vehicle clipped one and threw it into the path of a cyclist / ped.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  7. Tulyar
    Member

    My attitude is that if signs are for motor traffic then they should not obstruct foot or cycle traffic, and should be placed on a clear verge or on the carriageway, where there is generally space available.

    If an obstruction is being created could s.129(2) be applied?

    Likewise with guardrailing and signposts that are knocked down by motor traffic. We had some laying across the footway for many months, but as soon as it was pushed slightly on to the carriageway, the debris was removed within a couple of hours.

    These double standards really need to be challenged. As a construction site, presumably CDM applies with risk assessment and work plan, as well as Chapter 8 TSRGD for signage of road works (for all road users).

    Posted 11 years ago #

  8. chdot
    Admin

    "These double standards really need to be challenged"

    Indeed.

    Bigger issue here though (as mentioned above) is the fact bikes are still right next to oncoming traffic 'blinding' cyclists to a crawl - so not fit for purpose after dark (commuting time at this time of year).

    And THIS is part of major/costly 'Haymarket to FB' route/upgrade.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  9. minus six
    Member

    Its a double danger in this location, because not only are you blinded by the headlights, additionally this area has long suffered from a surfeit of water accumulation at the side of the A90 during a heavy downpour, and the drenching from passing trucks can be really hazardous.

    Put these two hazards together on the dark winter commute, and the result is... well, it can be character building, to say the least.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  10. kaputnik
    Moderator

    still right next to oncoming traffic 'blinding' cyclists to a crawl

    I seem to remember that back in the 1990s, this stretch of road trialled "blinders" in the central reservation for the reason that each side of the road was blinding the other on the sweeping, curving road beyond Cramond Brig. Something similar should be installed along the gap between the carraigeway and cycleway to obscure most of the light.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  11. TonyJ
    Member

    From the Queensferry Community Council facebook page:

    "Verge preparation work for next year's A90 cycle path upgrade will take place on weekdays from tomorrow until Friday 22 November. This involves off-peak lane closures between Dolphington and Burnshot but the path will remain open"

    Posted 11 years ago #

  12. DaveC
    Member

    Tonj pls give a link as I'm in conversation with Edin council about this!

    Posted 11 years ago #

  13. DaveC
    Member

    I have emailed the West_team of Edinburgh city council. I have given them as much info as I can and asked that they deal with this as a matter of urgency. I have pointed out the hazards of a cyclists coliding with the signs. Hopefully they will at least place cones near the rear of the signs to highlight their existance and location.

    Thanks the the help with the Facebook page quote.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  14. skotl
    Member

    Two new sign frames appeared between Friday night and tonight, on the narrowest part of the path when you turn away from the A90 and start heading toward SQ/Dalmeny.

    I say "frames" because they are just the iron structures with no signs in them so it's just 3/4" ironwork, which makes them even harder to spot.

    It's a shame that the people who place these don't have sufficient foresight to see what a hazard they can be.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  15. Focus
    Member

    The irony then is that these signs may be "for our benefit" in the long run!

    As I've said, where they were when I passed them, I honestly don't think they cause any major hazzard. Far from ideal it's true, but they are so wide that putting them off the path entirely could have its own consequences. Some reflective tape would pretty much remove the issue unless you ride without lights, and you really should have at least a small flashing light on in low light along there, as a courtesy to anyone who may approach from the other direction.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  16. skotl
    Member

    @Focus - do you mean the signs that have appeared on the right hook path, as you peel away from the A90, Northbound?
    The first one is definitely encroaching quite far into the path, IMO. It's on the right hand (vegetation) side of the path because there isn't space on the road side.

    Anyways - don't want to get into an argument with you about the relative dangers of road signs :D

    Posted 11 years ago #

  17. Focus
    Member

    @ skotl

    Odd. The only ones I've encountered have been on the left-hand side of the path, northbound, the massive (1.5 metre wide?) ones on the straight section alongside the A90. Did somebody hide them when I was along there?

    Posted 11 years ago #

  18. DaveC
    Member

    Tgey were there Fri afternoon but folded away and leaning against the wall.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  19. Focus
    Member

    That's maybe what it is then - I was along there on Saturday.

    Posted 11 years ago #

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