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CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Infrastructure
Edinburgh Waverley Station: Car and taxi ban comes into force
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Posted 8 years ago #
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Whilst the nice new bicycle lane above was accessible from the top of the ramp when I passed yesterday, towards the bottom there was a delivery truck parked on the bicycle lane and another turning in the fenced off turning circle. I'll be interested to see how this is managed when they open it up.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Um, so that's the north ramp which is currently used for deliveries - not the south one which isn't and leads to the bike racks at the back of the station???
Posted 8 years ago # -
Maybe it is bike exit? Whereas bike entrance might be the other one? It is on the left hand side of the road?
Posted 8 years ago # -
All the news reports said 'North ramp'.
Posted 8 years ago # -
It's perverse. The powers that be at Waverley seem to have a blind spot about the the south ramp, and are going about a course of action that guarantees conflict between bike and delivery vehicles - I despair sometimes!
I will just continue ducking under the barrier and using the south ramp. It's safer that way.
Posted 8 years ago # -
My gut reaction is to say that they made the right choice here.
In a year of using Waverley almost daily (at rush hour) I don't think I've ever seen a vehicle use the south ramp. Consequently when using the zebra crossing I can just step out rather than have to check that a vehicle is stopping.
If the south ramp were opened to cyclists then a lot of cyclists would use it, heavily outnumbering other vehicles. Some small proportion of these cyclists would misbehave, causing conflict with the pedestrians at the crossing that just isn't there at the moment because there are so few vehicles (none at rush hour?).
The advantage for pedestrians of the north ramp is that it isn't a through road, it stops with a pavement where the pedestrians are clearly in charge. I think all traffic should be made to use this ramp at busy times.
Posted 8 years ago # -
With regards to bike parking there is quite a bit of it by platform 19 just next to the north ramp. Just about visible in the photo upthread.
Posted 8 years ago # -
I'm fine with north ramp as long as there is decent parking near it. I more commonly take my bike with me in the train these days, but don't feel that we should be pushing to ride within the station, even on the roadways that remain.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Posted 8 years ago #
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The south ramp has significant speed bumps, one just before the crossing, to prevent vehicles from rushing across at speed, so I don't think that argument holds water. I think the north ramp with just a painted lane leading into a circle that realistically will be swarming with pedestrians as well as delivery vans is just asking for trouble.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Just out of interest, as the last time I was in Waverley there were barriers around the circle because there are deliveries, and so they want to keep peds out, why with this change would there be swarms of pedestrians at the circle that wouldn't be on the south ramp? And if there is a speed bump that stops any trouble between cyclists and pedestrians there, could one be put at the bottom of the north ramp to create the same safety?
As mentioned, probably just as much parking just off the north ramp, so the problem with accessing parking off the south if the north is open is exactly the same as the problem accessing the north if the south is open.
You can probably tell that I'm of the mind that as long as one of the ramps is open and use-able then all is fine.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Ok, I am making assumptions that may be unwarranted. I am willing to be proven wrong and hope that I will be. But I still think the south ramp is better!
Posted 8 years ago # -
Cycled down the new cycle lane on the north ramp this morning. Bit narrow at the top, fine for standard bikes but trikes/trailers etc may struggle. Reached the roundabout at the bottom to discover no way of exiting the cicle of barriers! Classic.
On my return journey a large van was parked tight against the top of the cycle lane, necessitating a stop and tight 90 dgree turn to exit the station
Let's say it's still a work in progress!Posted 8 years ago # -
Is it officially open yet?
Posted 8 years ago # -
One assumption I'm making is that they will have to remove at least some of the barriers when the bike lane is officially open, and pedestrians will then move into the space. It depends on how open the turning circle becomes.
I think they have just made a rod for their own backs as far as complicating the situation is concerned. The south ramp is unused, no conflicting traffic, speed bumps to slow bikes down already in place, they don't have to be added. You don't even need to paint a bike lane, I'd have thought, just stencil some bike symbols onto the existing roadbed.
But hey, they've done something, which is better than nothing, and that's pretty good going in Edinburgh.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Barriers still around the turning circle this morning so unclear what is going on. As I was trying to figure out if it was open or not 2 vans came down the ramp and parked in the cycle lane so SNAFU I guess
Posted 8 years ago # -
Indeed. I noticed two officer from the Transport Police closing the barriers at the foot of north ramp tight behind them this morning. Ah well I walk to Waverley these days anyway...
Posted 8 years ago # -
"John Lauder
@John_Lauder
New access for bicycles on North ramp at Waverley taking shape. Access barrier swings both ways #Sustrans
"(with photos)
Posted 8 years ago # -
That access barrier looks rather stealthy to me, but if it swings both ways when I want it to then it should be fine. I wonder how(/if?) the delivery drivers have been informed about the changes to access with regards bikes.
Posted 8 years ago # -
I notice that the cycle lane is two-way and advisory at the same time!
That means that vans and trucks can legally drive in the lane into the face of oncoming cyclists!
As we drive on the left, most likely it will be the descending (fast) cyclist that comes head to head with an uphill van.
That surely can't be legal, nor safe.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Tried to go down it tonight, and it's got red and white barriers preventing entry at the top, and all of the barriers at the bottom remain sealed off.
Posted 8 years ago # -
I used it to enter station several mornings this week (top barriers had been pushed aside, I opened bottom barrier myself). But this morning the top barriers were blocking it again.
Surface still has a bit of loose grit on it, but I can't see any other reason to keep it closed off.
Going down, it feels like riding on the wrong side of the road. The lane is not very wide and I suspect going down it will be tempting to move out of the lane to make room for slower wobbly riders coming up the steep slope.
Posted 8 years ago # -
If you are going to the bother of shoving barriers aside, might as well go down the other ramp, you just have to duck under the barrier at the top, nip between the two raised ramps and Bob's your uncle.
Posted 8 years ago # -
I opened bottom barrier myself
I think the reason the barriers are still closed is because the facility hasn't been opened yet. Obvious, perhaps, and the Rabid Hamster can no doubt confirm, but there are possibly such tasks as snagging, compliance testing and H&S approval to be done before it can be signed off, and while it looks finished to try to use it before it's officially ready puts you in a tricky situation were you to have an accident.
Posted 8 years ago # -
I called into the Reception last week and its opening on the 24th Oct I think.
I think everyone who rides down the ramp and has to vear left to over take a parked police car/van, or delivery waggon should go and complain in person loudly to the reception person. They'll soon get the message and pass it up the chain.
Dave C
Posted 8 years ago # -
Had a look yesterday:
If this is going to be the way in and out, it's going to be difficult with a tandem or other long bike of restricted turning radius:
Posted 8 years ago # -
So basically they are letting cyclists in by the tradesmen's entrance.
Posted 8 years ago # -
That advisory red lane is a nice uphill feature, best ignored in downward direction I think.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Progress at Waverley:
See the little gate? Not impressed.
Posted 8 years ago #
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