CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Infrastructure

Whitehouse Loan - I've had enough...

(20 posts)
  • Started 11 years ago by ianmb
  • Latest reply from condor2378

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  1. ianmb
    Member

    Enough of the uneven surface and potholes. It really is a disgrace, especially the section going north from Strathearn Place towards Bruntsfield Links. I know the Council have plans to resurface sometime but it's not going to be soon and conditions will only get worse.

    It's shame as it is generally a nice quiet road and good way to come into the city centre avoiding Morningside Road. Alternative will be along Blackford Road and then down towards Marchmont Road which is busier but hopefully a bit smoother.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  2. cb
    Member

    The only saving grace is that the road is quite wide, so I've taken to just bumping along slowly on that bit.

    Does anyone know if any of the roads in the article linked to
    here have been resurfaced yet?

    The article does suggest that they will be next year, although that's not completely clear.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  3. twq
    Member

    Clearly the Edinburgh Bike Co-op have been paying off the council for a free mountain bike testing area near the shop.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  4. cc
    Member

    I went that way a couple of weeks ago and had to swerve back and forth all over the road trying to find a surface I could cycle on.
    That may be OK on a quiet road in broad daylight with a patient car driver behind, but not in the dark and rain at rush hour. The road is a death trap. I'm appalled that it's not a priority for resurfacing.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  5. neddie
    Member

    Having driven along it, I know it has a traffic calming effect...

    Along with all the 'monster' vehicles parked either side

    Speed limit approx 10mph...

    Posted 11 years ago #

  6. Nelly
    Member

    Its a Specialized Roubaix test zone.

    Oops, better not say that, they might want £85K off me.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  7. ianmb
    Member

    Broke a spoke on the uneven Whitehouse Loan surface today and I was taking it easy letting the cars go past before moving to the central strip where it is a bit smoother. Fortunately the nice people at the Bicycle Works could fix same day so I picked up after work tonight.

    Suggested to Edinburgh CC and Lesley Hinds they pay for the repair but no response yet!

    Posted 10 years ago #

  8. condor2378
    Member

    I've just received an email from the council that my Clarenced Report of Whitehouse Loan (of which there have been 3 or 4 I've submitted) "has been updated. The status of this request is now allocated and it will be actioned shortly."

    So hopefully this dire surface northbound will finally be sorted. I shan't hold my breath though.

    Posted 9 years ago #

  9. chdot
    Admin

    Interesting.

    Must do some "before" pix.

    Did some a couple of months ago but didn't get round to posting. I realised that I hardy ever ride more than a small section of WL and so hadn't understood how bad it really is!

    Posted 9 years ago #

  10. Colonies_Chris
    Member

    Two cyclists at the Spokes stall at the Farmers' Market the last couple of months have specifically mentioned WL as a problem. I encouraged them to Clarence it and contact their councillor - perhaps the number of complaints has finally had an effect. Hopefully the work will cover the stretch alongside EBC, as well as the lower section?

    Posted 9 years ago #

  11. DdF
    Member

    Whitehouse Loan is truly awful, but it is due to be resurfaced - i.e. proper resurfacing, not pothole repair - this financial year, 15/16. This was brought forward from the originally planned 18/19 because of this.

    It shows the value of lobbying on things which seem rather abstract and non-specific, such as maintenance policies, or budgets, etc, etc - but which mean a huge amount in concrete terms a year or two down the line!

    Every time a councillor hears from a constituent that cycling conditions matter, whether in general terms or some specific local issue, it helps build the atmosphere in which the council will change policies in a favourable direction. It's really useful for people to lobby their own councillors (writetothem.com), not just the transport convener, as to change policies a majority of councillors have to vote in support.

    Posted 9 years ago #

  12. Chug
    Member

    @DdF Whitehouse Loan is a key link from Meadows/Links paths to Canaan Lane route to the South. It's also

      very
    wide at the southern end, with loads of never-used parking (there are virtually no houses once you are south of Greenhill Terrace).

    Is there any pressure from Spokes (or others) for any cycle infrastructure to be incorporated to connect the meadows/Links paths and the Canaan Lane lane? Or is it seen as not needed as the road is 20 mph(nominally - very rarely observed south of Strathearn)?

    Posted 9 years ago #

  13. DdF
    Member

    @Chug Very good point!

    The Council has said in general terms that when resurfacing a road they look at whether any improvements can be made at the same time, but I don't know if they have applied that principle to Whitehouse Loan resurfacing plan as yet.

    If anyone has ideas, would be good idea to email your local councillors http://www.writetothem.com, say you understand that W Loan is to be resurfaced in 15/16, and ask for - whatever - to be done at the same time. And worth including your point that the 20mph is often exceeded in the wide section of the road.

    I'll also pass the point on to spokes planning group.

    Posted 9 years ago #

  14. chdot
    Admin

    Canaan Lane road surface also poor in many places!

    Posted 9 years ago #

  15. Arellcat
    Moderator

    Canaan Lane can rattle your fillings* out, especially at the corner by the ghastly Astley.

    * other dental work is available.

    Posted 9 years ago #

  16. cb
    Member

    Exiting Caanan Lane at the top could be nicer - perhaps by making Newbattle Terrace a non-through route?

    Alternative through the hospital is nice apart from the tricky gate at the top.

    Posted 9 years ago #

  17. chdot
    Admin

    "Alternative through the hospital is nice apart from the tricky gate at the top."

    Well they could fix the double gates half open so room for bikes but not cars.

    But the NHS is too busy asserting that there is no Right of Way through the grounds.

    http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5273

    Posted 9 years ago #

  18. chdot
    Admin

    "

    Paul Motion (@21Rettie)
    30/09/2015, 08:48
    They couldn't. They wouldn't. Large fleet of resurfacing plant on Whitehouse Loan! *rubs eyes in disbelief/fights back tear* @CyclingEdin

    "

    Posted 9 years ago #

  19. chdot
    Admin

    Aaargh!

    "

    @edintravel: @21Rettie @CyclingEdin @south_team Whitehouse Loan lightly pencilled in for Jan 2016! ^J

    "

    Posted 9 years ago #

  20. condor2378
    Member

    I cycled with the wife and child no 2 on the tagalong up the full length of Whitehouse Loan this very morning and didn't notice a thing. In my defense, it's necessary to keep eyes down to follow the repaired seam along the right hand side of the lane which is the only safe bit. I do feel guilty about doing it though and am always wary about being undertaken (if there's enough room then I'll wave them through on the left sometimes).

    Glad to hear it's maybe finally happening though.

    Posted 9 years ago #

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