CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Infrastructure

Roseburn Path 'improvements'

(41 posts)

12

  1. Duncan
    Member

    Those who use the Roseburn Path where it passes between Maidencraig Cresc and S Groathill Ave will have noticed the recent relandscaping in the 'V' of the junction there, and the huge white painted path that has been marked between these two streets. Please BEWARE. My son has turned off at this junction into Maidencraig Cresc every school day for the past 4 years - yesterday he did so on the newly painted surface. There had been a rain shower, and his bike parted company from him, leaving him with torn trousers, a bloody knee, a cut wrist and loss of feeling in his fingers.

    This looks like another case of road design that looks great on paper but didn't consult actual users. And as for placing speed bumps on a cycle path... sigh.

    I have complained to the Council.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  2. Snowy
    Member

    Sorry to hear that - hope he'll be ok.

    I would be very surprised indeed if the department(s) that think these things up and implement them have got a single genuine regular cyclist between the whole lot of them.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  3. chdot
    Admin

    Sounds bad - but sadly not unexpected -

    "I was surprised to see something more like an ice rink. If they don't put a rough surface down, it's just asking for incidents to occur."

    Don't forget to send a bill for the trousers (at least).

    Posted 10 years ago #

  4. kaputnik
    Moderator

    Very sorry to hear this, Duncan.

    I have already reported this "improvement" to the council following a visit past the location last Saturday. I included a photo of the shiny surface in my Clarence report.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  5. PS
    Member

    Is anyone aware of any incidents at this junction that led to the redesign? Or was it the usual "this junction is an accident waiting to happen" complaint which leads to a redesign that rather perversely actually ends up causing accidents (cf. the installation of railings at the Broughton Road/East Claremont Street junction)?

    Posted 10 years ago #

  6. 559
    Member

    @Duncan,
    dreadful!
    I have had concerns about cyclists coming down from Drylaw too fast, but consider that the rejig is ott, and created new hazards, such as what your son experienced, and the dropped V section is a wheel catch waiting to happen.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  7. Focus
    Member

    I'm not happy to have my concern (as quoted by chdot above) proved correct. I've been over it a couple of times now that it's 'complete' and it really doesn't inspire confidence with slick tyres. And that's when it's been dry. Terrible choice for a surface, and not actually achieving anything.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  8. gibbo
    Member

    It's a solution to a problem that never existed in the first place. (And that has caused a brand new problem.)

    But, hey, it's fancy-looking!

    Posted 10 years ago #

  9. kaputnik
    Moderator

    Headed into the retail park yesterday under protest. Even when dry, the surface cover of dust/mud makes it seem very slidy.

    Totally thoughtless and reckless implementation.

    Was there not a "consultation" about this posted somewhere on the forum at one point, was there a name of whomever was responsible for commissioning this pile of rubbish?

    Ultimately it is all going to get burnt off at cost to the cycling budget (unless it is contractor who has used a non-specified surface).

    Posted 10 years ago #

  10. Focus
    Member

    "Was there not a "consultation" about this posted somewhere on the forum at one point, "

    That was the beginning of the thread I started here.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  11. kaputnik
    Moderator

    Thanks Focus. Think I'll write an email to Mr Matthews asking him why he's spent £30,000 on aligning the junction the wrong way around and then covering it in gloss paint and gravel chippings.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  12. Duncan
    Member

    Thanks, folks, for your sympathy/ support. My son has bounced back and is fine. What concerns me more (as an almost daily user of this junction) is how I could have missed any consultation notices. As someone said, the rejig looks like it has been designed as a response to pedestrian fears - not evidence. And speed bumps on a cycle track make me want to cry... I'm lucky if I manage 15mph with the wind behind me!

    Posted 10 years ago #

  13. chdot
    Admin

    Any response from CEC?

    Posted 10 years ago #

  14. Dave
    Member

    Really not good for cycling just now - there's a ton of pea gravel across the path which made my turn for the office unexpectedly exciting.

    Quite glad there was nobody else on the path as I certainly didn't have the spare capacity to worry about anyone besides myself after I realised what was about to happen.

    What my headcam sees:

    What my mind is really seeing:

    Posted 10 years ago #

  15. threefromleith
    Member

    Discovered one of the sources of the carpet of gravel stones on the path last Friday - group of highschool kids picking up great handfuls of it and chucking it all about / at each other / at me after I'd gone past them.

    I still can't understand the logic of the council / designers thinking putting large areas of loose stones on bits of a cyclepath, especially where people will be braking / turning and liable (like the OPs son) to come a cropper.

    Oh, wait - it's the council... I understand perfectly!

    Posted 10 years ago #

  16. chdot
    Admin

    CEC says

    "
    The pea gravel is covering larger stones for the drainage. We use the gravel because at previous site the stones have been used as ammunition for attacking lights/windows.

    I will see what we can do about it.

    "

    Posted 10 years ago #

  17. kaputnik
    Moderator

    I will see what we can do about it.

    A proper lip to the kerb to stop it sliding onto the path would be a start.

    alternatively covering the drainage ballast in wire mesh.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  18. DaveC
    Member

    We could throw a bag of cement over it. With Edinburgh's weather it should he hard in 12 hours.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  19. TIFFER
    Member

    All,
    Just like to add my comment on this.

    I use the junction every day as it is part of my route to work.

    Did notice the "improvements" and the new biege painted section and though "I bet that is slippery in the wet".

    Well this morning this was proven to be the case as my front wheel slid from under me and I have been left with road rash down one side, a skinned elbow and a ripped cycle jacket.

    I turn onto the cycle path from Maidencraig and head right towards Roseburn.

    It could have been worse but there was nobody else there at the time and I was wearing a helmet.

    Thanks to the two other cyclists who stopped and asked if I was okay.

    @Duncan
    Did you ever get any response from the council or take the matter any further ?

    I have sent an email to Paul Matthews at Edinburgh Council but I have yet to get a reply.

    The email included pictures of my injuries (which I will not post here just in case someone is having their lunch).

    All I can say is watch out if you are on this "anti-slip" area ad it is anything but.

    Stay safe
    tiffer

    Posted 10 years ago #

  20. Dave
    Member

    Please consider making a claim against the council.

    I'd be really surprised to learn that this surface has been applied in accordance with regulations and it shouldn't be too much bother for you.

    If you're uncomfortable accepting compensation you can always donate it to a charity of your choice, but we clearly need better incentives for these schemes to be implemented correctly (and inspected properly).

    Posted 10 years ago #

  21. threefromleith
    Member

    Was it just the slippery paint, or did the abundance of pea-gravel (now liberally spread across the junction in all directions) add to the loss of traction?

    Hope you get some joy from the council. Heal soon!

    Posted 10 years ago #

  22. Duncan
    Member

    In my son's case it was just the wet surface - he was above the 'pea gravel' zone, turning left into Maidencraig Cresc having come from Roseburn. Sounds like the same bit of the path (on a slight slope) that unseated 'Tiffer' earlier today.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  23. tk
    Member

    See http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12964#post-156525 for the email I had from the council about the surface

    Posted 10 years ago #

  24. TIFFER
    Member

    In my case there was no pea gravel involved, it was just the wet surface turning towards Roseburn having come from Maidencraig Crescent.

    It is a downward slope but before the "improvements" I managed it fine for 6 years.

    I have now had a reply from the council (see below) but I have also contacted CycleLaw.

    (You can ignore the 16th April date in the letter as that is incorrect...doh)

    Hopefully, the new high-friction anti-skid surface with be more anti-skid than the existing one.

    I won't be testing it though and now go on the gravel at the side of the path to turn the corner.

    "QUOTE"
    Thank you for your email of 16 April 2014 with your comments on the above works. I am sorry to hear that you were involved in a fall at the junction and hope that any injuries received were not serious.
    A new cold-applied coloured surfacing product is being trialled at Craigleith which has installation benefits as well as an extended design life. This product has been used successfully in other cities such as London in both cycleway and on-road situations and has anti-skid properties. Reports of poor skid resistance in wet conditions at Craigleith are being treating with importance.
    Following tests on the new surface it was noted that the friction is less than that of the surrounding tarmac path which can lead to issues with skidding. In light of these results, we are working with the manufacturer who has agreed to install a new high-friction anti-skid surface in place of the current area. The planned date for this installation is Tuesday 17 June.
    I hope that you find our response helpful.
    Paul Matthews
    "QUOTE"

    Posted 10 years ago #

  25. threefromleith
    Member

    Surely if tarmac has more friction than the 'anti-skid' surface, then the safest, cheapest & best solution would be to leave the path as unadorned tarmac?

    Imagine if they start colouring this stuff green and using it for all of the city's bus-lanes? *shiver*

    Posted 10 years ago #

  26. Focus
    Member

    @ threefromleith

    My interpretation is that they tested the slippery nature of the older version of the 'anti-skid' surface, after the issue was made clear to them. It doesn't explain why an experimental surface was laid before such tests were carried out, considering that was it's primary purpose.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  27. tk
    Member

    I think that may have been the experiment....

    One thing that annoys me is these changes don't get a sign warning of them on approach. A change of road surface or layout would usually be marked up well in advance for drivers so why should new cycle path features be any different?

    Posted 10 years ago #

  28. threefromleith
    Member

    I guess the planned implementation date of Tues 17th has slipped - nothing going on yesterday or this morning.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  29. DaveC
    Member

    If they discovered that this surface is more slippery than the tarmac, then they should remove it before installing another scheme which has been tested, like tar and sand on top!

    Posted 10 years ago #

  30. wingpig
    Member

    They were gluing buff-coloured sand to the special custom buff-coloured slippypaint when I went past...

    Posted 10 years ago #

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