CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Infrastructure

Canal-Meadows (STILL NOT finally!)

(316 posts)
  • Started 10 years ago by SRD
  • Latest reply from toomanybikes

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  1. neddie
    Member

    The roads engineers claim that the King's junction is "very tricky" because of the number of bus routes going through it. (But strangely no mention of it being very tricky due to the huge numbers of cars they're trying to plough through it as well)

    If they would just put in a handful of bus gates along the Queen St, Western Approach and Lothian Rd traffic sewers all this traffic and the "problems" trying to accommodate *everything* at the King's would melt away

    Posted 2 years ago #
  2. MediumDave
    Member

    I happened to pass by today (heading towards Bruntsfield) and noted that Tarvit St was closed, ostensibly for the Kings Theatre redevelopment. So junction should be less hairy for the forseeable.

    Pukka signage too by the compound in front of the Kings which extends into the roadway -

    "Narrow Lane Do Not Overtake Cyclists".

    Drivists were chill. All good.

    Posted 1 year ago #
  3. Yodhrin
    Member

    Lucky, I went by that sign yesterday and was immediately close-passed by a white van.

    Posted 1 year ago #
  4. chdot
    Admin

    #MeadowsToCanal

    #Edinburgh council investment prog update was published earlier this year

    https://edinburgh.gov.uk/downloads/file/32628/active-travel-invest-programme-jan-2023…

    IIRC it was on twitter, and the June 2023 bit was because council is working with
    @captheatres to get #TarvitStreet done as part of #KingsTheatre works

    https://twitter.com/SpokesLothian/status/1650770992132751363

    Posted 1 year ago #
  5. neddie
    Member

    Has anyone got any up-to-date plans for this? Especially for Tarvit St, now that the Kings Theatre is getting built out?

    Posted 1 year ago #
  6. chdot
    Admin

    Simple answer seems to be there aren’t any.

    Design planned for later this year, build won’t start for ANOTHER TWO YEARS.

    No clarity about whether last version of plan (which must exist somewhere) is to be modified or whether whole thing is effectively a new project.

    Posted 1 year ago #
  7. Murun Buchstansangur
    Member

    Morningsider called it...

    "Yeah - wait another four years and complete the next online survey...

    POSTED 3 YEARS AGO #"

    Posted 1 year ago #
  8. chdot
    Admin

    Looks like some imminent bike improvements around the Kings Theatre.. Cycle contraflow to be introduced on Leven Terrace, Valleyfield Street and Glengyle Terrace to help reduce the impact of the construction works

    https://twitter.com/finlaymcf/status/1653833052726935552?

    Works to be completed by 12th May (subject to weather)

    Posted 1 year ago #
  9. Morningsider
    Member

    Nice to see the Council thinking about cyclists when there are long-term road closures.

    I'm not quite sure how this will actually look - a proper contraflow would need parking removed from one side of these three streets. That would be amazing, but seems pretty unlikely. Here's hoping (...it's not a couple of signs and some bike symbols stencilled on the road).

    Posted 1 year ago #
  10. chdot
    Admin

    First sign spotted -

    https://twitter.com/johnrobson87/status/1653870810182893569?

    Posted 1 year ago #
  11. neddie
    Member

    Eh? Those temporary diversion signs are not new. Been there for weeks!

    Posted 1 year ago #
  12. neddie
    Member

    I saw a group of about 6 workies and a guy with a drawing that looked like they were setting up to put in the contraflows

    Posted 1 year ago #
  13. neddie
    Member

    Valleyfield St. Paint only, sadly.

    Zero parking removed.

    Zero ****s given.

    Untitled

    Untitled

    Posted 1 year ago #
  14. LaidBack
    Member

    @neddie - amazing to see council confirming what cyclists have been doing (Or wanting to do) for decades. Of course not infrastructure but proves they have white paint. Could maybe use on Meadows paths if any left.

    Posted 1 year ago #
  15. chdot
    Admin

    SO

    FINALLY

    CEC *begins* to implement its ‘bicycle contraflow on one-one way streets’ POLICY

    ????

    Posted 1 year ago #
  16. Morningsider
    Member

    That is dangerous and does not comply with the requirements set out in Cycling by Design (see page 82). The contra-flow lane is unmarked, goes around parked vehicles and the opposing traffic lane is too narrow.

    I'm not surprised. I'm not even disappointed. I'm just very, very bored of this nonsense.

    Posted 1 year ago #
  17. chdot
    Admin

    “Zero parking removed”

    Actually new DYLs look like they are replacing two car spaces.

    But yes.

    Posted 1 year ago #
  18. SRD
    Moderator

    Spokes says there will be defenders at the end? Presumably a bit like Rankeiller st?

    Posted 1 year ago #
  19. chdot
    Admin

    P82

    Where traffic conditions allow for mixed traffic streets, consideration can be given to two-way cycling with only minimal delineation of the cycle lane by using advisory lanes.

    This can only be pursued where both cycle user visibility requirements and vehicle driver awareness of cycle movements in the opposite direction can be achieved. Narrow streets, parked cars, street furniture and other objects will limit this visibility and awareness, particularly of recumbent and hand cycle users.

    All a bit weasely.

    At least Valleyfield is straight and traffic generally slow.

    Will be interesting to see what signage appears at Leven St end.

    Posted 1 year ago #
  20. Murun Buchstansangur
    Member

    "That is dangerous and does not comply with the requirements set out in Cycling by Design (see page 82). The contra-flow lane is unmarked, goes around parked vehicles and the opposing traffic lane is too narrow."

    @Morningsider, agreed. Design apart, I don't even think the road markings are TSRGD compliant ("Turn right" without an arrow? Don't think so. Arrow without words maybe fine.)

    Quite how "professionals" stuffed with public cash and with 10+ years "planning" can serially make screw ups obvious to an half-interested amateur such as myself is a disgrace.

    Posted 1 year ago #
  21. SRD
    Moderator

    I've contra flowed it quite a few times since the diversion came in and encountered less traffic (and much less aggro) than when I take the signposted diversion...

    Posted 1 year ago #
  22. Morningsider
    Member

    @chdot - yes, the guidance is pretty weak. However it is clear that the minimal delineation of a contra-flow cycling lane is an "advisory lane" - a broken white line. There is no delineation along most of Valleyfield - just a couple of bike symbols painted on the road.

    The reason for not painting an advisory lane is obvious. The road is too narrow and vehicles would always encroach into it. Is it too much to ask that the Council not install cycle infrastructure that doesn't actively place cyclists in danger?

    I appreciate this is probably "not a big deal" and that many cyclists will use the lane safely. That's not the point though - we have national and local street design guidance, that is ignored again and again, producing substandard infrastructure. This is not how authorities looking to increase cycling should act.

    Posted 1 year ago #
  23. chdot
    Admin

    “I appreciate this is probably "not a big deal" “

    Yeah but as you suggest in the rest of the paragraph -

    BUT YES IT IS!

    Posted 1 year ago #
  24. jdanielp
    Member

    I think I will continue to access the canal via Tarvit Street by pushing my bike along the pavement rather than using this shoddy contraflow and then attempting to turn right onto Leven Street.

    Posted 1 year ago #
  25. toomanybikes
    Member

    Setting standards for contraflow cycling along one way streets too high dramatically reduces the probability of adding them.

    A few chevrons so drivers don't actively run you over is enough for me. Not all infrastructure will ever be perfect.

    Posted 1 year ago #
  26. neddie
    Member

    I agree we don't want to overcook the infra.

    However on Valleyfield St, they could have at least made it safe by removing parking from the lefthand side (in the image). That way car drivers aren't pulling into and out of cyclists travelling the other way!

    Posted 1 year ago #
  27. jdanielp
    Member

    I suppose I will have to try to stop thinking 'No, no, no! Wrong way!" when I see people cycling towards me when I'm cycling east on Valleyfield Street - I never actually said it to anyone (with or without the Diddy Kong Racing voice), but I always think it.

    Posted 1 year ago #
  28. neddie
    Member

    I used to think that too ('No, no, no! Wrong way!")

    But then I figured why should efficient transport have to comply with the mess created by the inefficient? They're only doing what's natural. Driving a car in a city is not natural

    Posted 1 year ago #
  29. LaidBack
    Member

    Contra flow going in

    Posted 1 year ago #
  30. chdot
    Admin

    Contractors Premier Rail???

    Posted 1 year ago #

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