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Loanhead – Gilmerton cycle route Consultation

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  1. ejstubbs
    Member

    @Frenchy: OK, I think that's the start of The Kaims, as described by Mandopicker1 in their post on page 22 of the "I had a lovely ride today" thread. I assume that the cycle path will therefore reach Shawfair by diverting off the route of the old railway on to The Kaims.

    I've just had a look at the Sustrans Feasibility Report Breifing Note from August 2016 (as linked by nedd1e_h a year ago) about the extension of the cycle path from Gilmerton to Shawfair and I note that the target date for construction to be completed is December 2017. At the current rate of progress they might even make it!

    Posted 6 years ago #

  2. amir
    Member

    I haven't been along Gilmerton Road for a few weeks. Does anyone know whether there will be access onto the path from there?

    Posted 6 years ago #

  3. Frenchy
    Member

    @ejstubbs - I think the path is going to follow the old railway to Shawfair Avenue. I don't think it will continue on the other side of Shawfair Avenue, so probably won't link to The Kaims except at the Millerhill Road roundabout. Shawfair Avenue has nice wide shared use pavements already.

    @amir - Yes, a ramp will be going in on the east side of Gilmerton Road. A planning application was approved for this a few months ago. I don't think they've started building it though.

    Posted 6 years ago #

  4. ejstubbs
    Member

    Per Frenchy's post two above yours on the previous page, Sustrans submitted a planning application in February for a ramp for access to the cycle path from Gilmerton Road. The application was granted in August, which is quite late in the process (the tree and scrub clearing along the Gilmerton Station Road stretch was well under way then IIRC) so I'd be surprised if the ramp is there from day 1. I don't recall seeing any preparatory ground works in the relevant area (east of Gilmerton Road and south of the cycle path) last time I passed by a couple of weeks ago. So it looks like it should appear at some point, but maybe not when the cycle path first opens.

    I am looking forward to being able to ride all the way to...well, Shawfair, which is pretty much the closest Edinburgh comes to 'nowhere' IMO, but it's still better than nothing.

    Posted 6 years ago #

  5. ejstubbs
    Member

    @Frenchy: I think the path is going to follow the old railway to Shawfair Avenue. I don't think it will continue on the other side of Shawfair Avenue, so probably won't link to The Kaims except at the Millerhill Road roundabout.

    Sorry, yes, I was getting confused between Old Dalkeith Road and Millerhill Road.

    Seems odd that The Kaims has been tarmaced close to the Millerhill roundabout if there aren't any plans to make better use of it. Mandopicker1 mentioned the tarmac stub three years ago, but then went on: "...for main looks like it sees limited traffic but given it's becoming overgrown and the grassy surface is rutted and lumpy, probably not a lot at the moment." Would be a shame if it's in no better condition after all this time, what with all the other development that's been going on in the area.

    I wonder what's the likelihood of someone trying to put housing in the land between Shawfair and Millerhill Road? There's nothing showing on the Midlothian planning portal map at the moment. I suppose it's all a bit up in the air what with the Sheriffhall junction due to be rebuilt.

    Posted 6 years ago #

  6. neddie
    Member

    Is it possible to get through all those railway sidings at Shawfair, to get from Old Craighall Rd to Newcraighall/NCN 1 by a reasonably direct route?

    Posted 6 years ago #

  7. Frenchy
    Member

    I wonder what's the likelihood of someone trying to put housing in the land between Shawfair and Millerhill Road?

    If you mean between Shawfair hospital and Millerhill road, then according to a map I was shown at a recent workshop on Sheriffhall roundabout, that area is designated "for employment".

    Everything to the east of Millerhill Road (except the triangle between the bypass, Millerhill Road and the old railway lines) is designated for housing.

    Posted 6 years ago #

  8. chdot
    Admin

    “Is it possible to get through all those railway sidings at Shawfair, to get from Old Craighall Rd to Newcraighall/NCN 1 by a reasonably direct route?”

    Good question.

    I have been through quite a few times in the past, usually at weekends when there is usually nothing happening and no-one is likely to stop you.

    (It has to been assumed ‘you’re not supposed to be there’ - railway legislation overruling Access(?)

    When they started building the waste depot it was even possible without going on the rail depot road, but it’s now fenced off.

    However last time I was there the gate onto OCRd was locked (which I’d never seen before).

    OF COURSE a proper route through the site should have been planned and built years ago - link to Shawfair Station etc.

    But was obviously ‘too difficult to organise’/‘no-one will use it’.

    Posted 6 years ago #

  9. ejstubbs
    Member

    @chdot: it has to been assumed ‘you’re not supposed to be there’ - railway legislation overruling Access(?)

    It doesn't have to be assumed, it's there in the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2002, section 6 (1) (d): "The land in respect of which access rights are not exercisable is land...to which public access is, by or under any enactment other than this Act, prohibited, excluded or restricted". And section 13 (1) (i) of the Railway Byelaws (a statutory instrument under the Transport Act 2000) states: "No person shall enter or remain on any part of the railway where there is a notice...prohibiting access".

    I believe the maximum penalty is £1,000. (Or death. Railways aren't places to be treated lightly: they are inhabited by large, heavy vehicles which take longer to stop than a hipster on a fixie with no front brake, and they hurt a lot more if they hit you.)

    Posted 6 years ago #

  10. Klaxon
    Member

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    Posted 6 years ago #

  11. chdot
    Admin

    Yes, but the access roads go nowhere close to a live line.

    The Marshalling yard is no more.

    Plenty room for a proper segregated through route.

    Missed opportunity.

    http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1465

    Posted 6 years ago #

  12. Frenchy
    Member

    Detoured past Shawfair this morning. Didn't stop to check out fully, but:

    * The new path will come out at the toucan crossing on the north side of Shawfair Avenue.
    * There was no sign of any work being done on the south side.
    * There is already a housing development going in immediately north-east of the new path. It might be an access road for this, rather than the new path, which I saw, but I don't think so.
    * There are at least four wee stub paths off Shawfair Avenue. Someone must be planning to connect them to something at some point.

    Posted 6 years ago #

  13. cb
    Member

    "There are at least four wee stub paths off Shawfair Avenue. Someone must be planning to connect them to something at some point."

    It does look, from Google Satellite view, that they are connected to existing rough paths at the moment.

    Posted 6 years ago #

  14. neddie
    Member

    It would be nice if there were a connection from the end of the path at Shawfair Ave to NCN 1 via the railway sidings.

    Could this get built before any housing goes in, so we get a guaranteed route (free of chicanes, multiple giveways at side roads, shared-use and other guff that housing developers give 'us')?

    If this connection were put in, it would be a useful route out to Ikea and the other Straiton sheds

    Posted 6 years ago #

  15. Frenchy
    Member

    I've emailed Midlothian council asking if it's in their plans; will post here if I get a response.

    John Lauder (Sustrans Scotland) has posted some photos on twitter: https://twitter.com/John_Lauder/status/938333284416843776

    Posted 6 years ago #

  16. Arellcat
    Moderator

    If this connection were put in, it would be a useful route out to Ikea and the other Straiton sheds

    It works the other way around, too. Ever since they closed Homebase at Straiton, the nearest DIY place is basically B&Q at Newcraighall. Newcraighall is both far away and horrible to reach by bicycle for anyone living in the Loanhead/Roslin/Rosewell/Penicuik wedge. I have a fondness for DIY, admittedly, but there's lot in the Newcraighall direction that just isn't available at Straiton. Connecting to Shawfair is great for trains, but connecting Shawfair to Newcraighall is the next important link.

    Posted 6 years ago #

  17. glasgow megasnake
    Member

    For me, the whole path lacks a decent, similar quality (and direct-ish) link into the centre of Edinburgh... Once delivered past the bypass you still have to face Gilmerton road/liberton brae/kirk brae.

    Posted 6 years ago #

  18. chdot
    Admin

    Another couple of years then -

    "

    John Lauder (@John_Lauder)
    06/12/2017, 2:20 pm
    @edd1e_h @SpokesLothian @SustransScot @CyclingEdin @IKEAUK That's plan. Project: 3 phases;
    Ph1 Loanhead-Lasswade Rd: completed.
    Ph2 Lasswade Rd-A6106 (30mph), opens in New Year.
    Ph3 A6106-Shawfair Station & beyond 2018/19.
    Area is mixed-use development: housing/offices. We want rail path to be 'spine' of new communities @SustransScot

    "

    Posted 6 years ago #

  19. Trixie
    Member

    So if phase 2 is connecting to Lasswade Rd to A6106, that sounds like the plan is for this path to meet The Kaims then.

    Posted 6 years ago #

  20. Frenchy
    Member

    I think he's using the shared use pavements on Shawfair Avenue to do the final stretch to the A6106.

    Posted 6 years ago #

  21. Frenchy
    Member

    I asked John Lauder on twitter - he says the new path will go all the way to the A6106 where it crosses the old railway line. That means it'll connect to The Kaims, but then keep going a bit further as well.

    Posted 6 years ago #

  22. southsider
    Member

    https://www.sustrans.org.uk/news/residents-invited-preview-new-walking-and-cycling-path-extension-shawfair

    "

    Local residents are being invited to preview a new walking and cycling route extending the existing path from Roslin to Lasswade (Route 196) onto Shawfair, as works pause over the Christmas period.

    The 3km traffic-free route, delivered by Sustrans Scotland in partnership with City of Edinburgh Council, Midlothian Council and contractors RJ McLeod, will be open to the public from Saturday 23rd December to Sunday 7th January. The route will then close again so that final works can be carried out.

    Visitors will get the chance to see how the route, running along the disused railway path, will link communities living in Lasswade, Danderhall and Shawfair in Midlothian.

    It is hoped the new path, which is being funded by Transport Scotland through Sustrans Scotland’s National Cycle Network development fund will encourage residents and visitors to explore the area by foot and bike.

    Sustrans Scotland Principal Engineer and Project Manager Paul Cronin said:

    “This project aims to deliver a valuable extension to the existing walking and cycling network within Edinburgh and Midlothian.

    “With new housing developments set to start in the area over the next few years, we anticipate this path will become a key route for local residents who wish to walk and cycle.

    “We hope the local community will enjoy the path over the Festive period, and be encouraged to use it in the New Year for journeys by foot or bike.”

    Finishing works will recommence from 8 January, with the path expected to be complete by the end of January 2018.

    "

    Posted 6 years ago #

  23. Frenchy
    Member

    Look forward to that.

    By "Lasswade", they presumably mean "Loanhead".

    Posted 6 years ago #

  24. Lezzles
    Member

    Exciting. We'll go for a wee daunder at some point.

    But yes - they mean Loanhead not Lasswade surely. Unless there is another new magical path I've missed?

    Posted 6 years ago #

  25. Trixie
    Member

    Nah, they mean Lasswade Road.

    I need to visit Drum Feeds at some point soon so I better get figuring out methods for securing a big bag of hay to my bike.

    Posted 6 years ago #

  26. wingpig
    Member

    How big a bag? How compacted? Maybe take along something to roll it inside (bit of cardboard or lino) to stop it drooping down from your rack into your wheels.

    Posted 6 years ago #

  27. Roibeard
    Member

    I better get figuring out methods for securing a big bag of hay to my bike.

    @Trixie - feel free to PM me, should the loan of a cargo bike local to the area might be a better/safer/more entertaining idea...

    Robert

    Posted 6 years ago #

  28. Trixie
    Member

    About 2 1/2 feet tall and a foot and a bit diameter. There's a bit of give, not packed machine tight. Light but big enough to be a literal pain to carry any distance. My usual method is to use a bungee to hang two of them round my neck milkmaid stylee on the bus.

    Rolling it in a thing is good. I'd not thought of that, thanks! I was thinking make a platform for my carrier and bungee the hay bag to hell and back but rolling would definitely be more rigid.

    Edit: Thanks, Roibeard. If the maiden voyage is a colossal fail, I might just.

    Posted 6 years ago #

  29. jonty
    Member

    I think they mean Lasswade - that's where the section of route 196 they're "extending" currently terminates is it not?

    Posted 6 years ago #

  30. Arellcat
    Moderator

    The press release is either confusingly written or factually wrong. Route 196 is south of the Esk and is for Bonnyrigg, while (local) route 61 (as shown on OpenStreetMap, at least*) is north of the Esk and is for Danderhall and Shawfair. Neither really visits Lasswade.

    Route 196 is the former North British Railway's Hardengreen & Penicuik branch and then the parent Hardengreen & Peebles branch, which led westwards off the main line to Carlisle** at Eskbank, taking in the southern side of Bonnyrigg and Polton. It never served Lasswade directly; that was the job of the Polton Branch that diverted at Esk Valley Junction (now, Wishart Avenue) and crossed on a splendid viaduct that is hard to see but still there.

    Route 196 is a completely different route from the former NBR Edinburgh, Loanhead & Roslin branch that led westwards off the main line to Carlisle at Millerhill, and which forms part of Route 61 that starts in Roslin and runs to Lasswade Road, and which they've been extending eastwards towards the Drum and Shawfair.

    I think it's high time they reopened the Lasswade viaduct.

    * Route 61 in national, Sustranspeak, runs from Maidenhead to Hatfield, Welwyn Garden City, Hertford and Hoddesdon.
    ** now, the Borders Railway.

    Posted 6 years ago #

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