CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Infrastructure

George Street Improvements

(1192 posts)

  1. DaveC
    Member

    As South St Andrew Sq is currently closed, the red n white square you see is a temporary roundabout, with signage saying SSASq closed. I recon the white numpty driver is double parked, and the black car is just driving round.

    Posted 10 years ago #
  2. fimm
    Member

    Headed along George Street about 9pm yeaterday. Waiting at the light in the cycle lane at the Hanover Street junction (it was green when I approached, but went red before I got through). A box van appears and wants to drive down the cycle lane. I shake my head, put both feet flat on the floor and fold my arms. Driver appears to take "no" for an answer and parks on the roundabout. By this time I've missed my green light, so I walked across the central reservation and contented myself with taking some photos on my phone (which I'll put up when I can). So someone needs to tell the driver of "Torque" van, reg YA12 KPF, where he's supposed to park to unload legally.

    I was quite surprised that he didn't come and have words with me. As if he knew he wasn't supposed to drive or park there.

    Posted 10 years ago #
  3. crowriver
    Member

    "I was quite surprised that he didn't come and have words with me. As if he knew he wasn't supposed to drive or park there."

    No doubt he would have, had you been a bloke. Maybe even "ad a go". Probably some antiquated "honour code" at work.

    I've seen it all, believe me.

    Posted 10 years ago #
  4. kaputnik
    Moderator

    Every time I wait at the lights (Frederick Street), which is a long time as the cycle is so disadvantageous for the cycle lane, I'm pleasantly entertained by the number of drivers who think they are going to make a right turn into the cycle lane, only to find me sitting there at the junction preventing them. They sort of stop as they go around the statue, look confused, start off again going round the statue to head the other way down George Street only to intersect with the line of traffic they had come from and get stuck. It's all very amusing.

    I've also noticed that there are no kerb/barrier/armadillo things around the motorcycle parking bays, which is probably encouraging them to use the cycle lane to make a speedy exit. Scooters are the main lane infractionators I have observed.

    Posted 10 years ago #
  5. chdot
    Admin

    "

    The move has been hailed as a chance to link up new and proposed cycle routes on Princes Street, George Street and Leith Walk.

    "

    http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13886

    Posted 10 years ago #
  6. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    I didn't have time on the way to the arty-tarty lecture last night to try out this facility. Just steamed straight in the A8. Couple of observations on that;

    1) At the Maybury junction the city centre is signposted as a left turn for bicycles. Where in the wide, wide world of eccentric navigation does that take you?

    2) The final pinch point where cars are skimmed off from going onto Princes Street is horrible. Tram tracks and overbanding abound.

    PS The speaker said the word 'painterly' three times.

    Posted 10 years ago #
  7. crowriver
    Member

    "PS The speaker said the word 'painterly' three times."

    It was about painting.

    Did he use "trope" though?

    Posted 10 years ago #
  8. chdot
    Admin

    Only three?

    Posted 10 years ago #
  9. Arellcat
    Moderator

    Bollard placeholder at the western end of George Street:


    This'll sort it

    Posted 10 years ago #
  10. Instography
    Member

    Fair play them. Seem to be listening.

    Posted 10 years ago #
  11. chdot
    Admin

    Will it be automatic??

    [+] Embed the video | Video DownloadGet the Flash Videos

    Posted 10 years ago #
  12. Instography
    Member

    Think more stick in the ground than anything automated.

    Posted 10 years ago #
  13. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    First time on George Street. Came up Frederick Street to the roundabout, where I could see the cycleness on the far side of George Street. No way was I going to go a third of the way round the roundabout to maybe turn into the 'wrong' side of the street.

    Went with the traffic, turned right down Hanover Street, not quite sure it was allowed.

    Very confusing.

    Posted 10 years ago #
  14. fimm
    Member

    As promised, a couple of photos of YA12 KPF demonstrating where not to park up to unload...
    Torque van bad parking

    Torque van bad parking (2)

    Posted 10 years ago #
  15. bdellar
    Member

    I think IWRATS has described the fundamental problem: it's confusing. I find the straight bits in between the junctions OK, but every junction is confusing.

    Posted 10 years ago #
  16. chdot
    Admin

    LB posted a pic of the sign at the other end of G St the other day.

    But I really wasn't prepared for this one -

    At first I thought it meant use the crossing to the right, but that would be stupid!

    Is the cycle light on the crossing new? (The sign must be.)

    Still no guidance for people wanting to go to Princes Street, Lothian Road etc.

    Posted 10 years ago #
  17. chdot
    Admin

    Posted 10 years ago #
  18. Arellcat
    Moderator

    Is the cycle light on the crossing new?

    Yes.

    It was probably more cost effective to upgrade the Pelican crossing to Toucan functionality, in order to experiment with cyclists emerging with the pedestrian traffic light phase, and that also meant modifying the island accordingly. I would be a bit surprised if this arrangement was made permanent rather than CEC remodelling egress from the cycle lane itself, but that said, the costs may become 'too high' to design the permanent arrangement 'properly'.

    Posted 10 years ago #
  19. chdot
    Admin

    How new?

    Posted 10 years ago #
  20. Yeah, that sign does kinda beg the question, what if I want to turn left?

    Posted 10 years ago #
  21. crowriver
    Member

    Well the bollards are good news: should get rid of the confused or chancer motorists from the cycle lane. Wonder how long until a car smacks into one: "I was just following the sat nav."

    Can we get north St Andrew Square sorted now please?

    Posted 10 years ago #
  22. chdot
    Admin

    "Can we get north St Andrew Square sorted now please?"

    Probably not!

    There was an earlier post which suggested there was a two-way system at present with mini-roundabout.

    But -

    Posted 10 years ago #
  23. chdot
    Admin

    No idea if it's really illegal to cycle up here -

    But there must be enough width for proper 'shared use' by responsible people - if the poles are removed.

    What is definitely illegal is the driver making her car come down the hill and turn left into Queen Street.

    (Sorry no pic!)

    Someone should really sort the ped lights from Dublin Street.

    When the 'traffic' is backed up solid from Picardy Place (or just managing to move at about 2mph), it really can't be justified/acceptable for vehicles to have the green light ages after a pedestrian has pushed the button (and others joined her in waiting).

    Pedestrians don't 'make up' such time, drivers always do (when they get to the next jam).

    What every happened to that hierarchy...

    Posted 10 years ago #
  24. Arellcat
    Moderator

    How new?

    It wasn't installed before June 23rd, at least.

    what if I want to turn left?

    You do what this cyclist did: wait for the green man/bike and high-tail it along the road.


    The old George Street swerve

    Posted 10 years ago #
  25. chdot
    Admin

    Not there in August -

    Scheme originally due to open 'before Festival', but not 'finished' until September. Don't know if cycle light was in place then or much more recently.

    Posted 10 years ago #
  26. chdot
    Admin

    "You do what this cyclist did: wait for the green man/bike and high-tail it along the road."

    Right across cars coming out of George Street??

    Posted 10 years ago #
  27. "Wonder how long until a car smacks into one"

    One bollard lying on its side this morning, cause unknown, but suspected.

    Posted 10 years ago #
  28. kaputnik
    Moderator

    Noted this morning that the bollards were in and one has already been flattened (at George / Hanover St.) Given the bolts fixing it into the concrete looked to be snapped, I can only imagine a vehicle did it.

    The bollards are very tiny, and held in only by the sort of little combination lock you would put on a garden shed that held little of value. I can't see them lasting under the assault of white van men.

    There were white vans parked up dismantling or rebuilding the designer drinking tents, they weren't in the cycle lane but they had managed to get past the bollards and down the lane to get there...

    Posted 10 years ago #
  29. acsimpson
    Member

    Perhaps they should install some of these:

    http://www.naden.de/blog/bbvideo-bbpress-video-plugin -->

    [+] Embed the video | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zp85-dBwslE" target="_blank">Video DownloadGet the Flash Videos

    Posted 10 years ago #
  30. chdot
    Admin

    Anyone done a deadcount this lunchtime?

    Posted 10 years ago #

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