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Pentlands to Portobello cycle/walk path?

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  1. chdot
    Admin

    From latest newsletter -

    "

    Pentlands to Porty Pathway Update

    A big step forward has been taken in our quest to create a new pathway from the Pentlands to Portobello that runs through Burdiehouse Burn Valley Park. In the recent past all our local councillors have been working together to get the council behind the proposal, and this has been successful. The council has commissioned a report on the project and this will help shape the proposals. A working group that involves key members of groups with an interest in the pathway has been established and has begun its work. The idea of the pathway was inspired by the Water of Leith Walkway, which is an outstanding example of how a well delivered project can improve peoples quality of life by creating and linking high quality public space.

    Already, some of the plans for new housing at Broomhills has been adapted to incorporate the pathway proposals, and the Friends met with Councillor Keith Robson and the council officer working on the report, Chris Brace. He is compiling a report which will be used to help inform the council's approach to the proposals. There is in principle all party support from another recent council meeting chaired by Councillor Lesley Hinds. Whilst there are no promises, we are hopeful that there will be support for launching the pathway on the basis that much of it is in place, and for taking forward some basic issues like signage. the Friends group will be working with the council to identify possible funding sources for priority projects.

    We we will be launching a newsletter on the proposals soon, and you will be included in an expanded circulation list for the newsletter. Simply opt out if you're not interested. A good start has been made to this ambitious project, and we will keep you up to date with the proposals.

    "

    Posted 8 years ago #

  2. Dave
    Member

    We barely use the WoL path at all despite living next to it (by bike or on foot). It's horrendously muddy and unlit - I can't really imagine taking a buggy down there either for most of the year. Hardly an "outstanding example" of "high quality public space".

    Hopefully they do a better job of this path, which would be an awesome resource if they get it right.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  3. fimm
    Member

    I run on the WoL path. Boyfriend runs and mountainbikes on the WoL path. When I am on it, it is usually pretty busy with people walking dogs or themselves, running and biking. Which it is great for, so long as you don't mind some degree of mud.

    We've had the discussion before over tarmac vs not tarmac - I can see the arguments both ways and I don't know what this new proposed route is like and what access is like.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  4. gembo
    Member

    Walked down the WoL path the other day, it wasn't too bad but my better half had declined to put on old shoes as we were going out for lunch so her silver sparkly converse were getting a bit muddy so we went back on the road. Will be muddier as has rained and snowed since. If dry the WoL path is fab way to get to work or come home but does require no precipitation for an extended period before it dries out. If Tarmac is laid wee radges on motorbikes will follow.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  5. urchaidh
    Member

    On of the missing links in this route is between the end of The Niddrie Burn Path and Port Prom. Below is the response from the council to a query about a cycle route from Porty to Musselburgh which is not hugely encouraging.


    November 2015

    I can confirm that the Council intends to develop a proposal for a cycle route between Portobello Promenade and Musselburgh, in partnership with East Lothian Council. This would form part of the Council’s ‘QuietRoute’ network of cycle routes (formerly the ‘Family Network’) as outlined in our Active Travel Action Plan. It would therefore be designed to the standards set out for this network which would involve segregation from roads with high traffic volumes / speeds.

    Due to the prioritisation of a number of other cycle schemes in the city we do not currently have resources available to progress this project. However, we intend to start work on its development within the next two years.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  6. chdot
    Admin

    "I don't know what this new proposed route is like and what access is like."

    To some extent it's 'rebranding what exists'.

    The people behind it have been involved in improving the "Burdiehouse Burn Valley Park" which has been gradually tarmaced. There are bits that probably won't ever be ' to preserve rural character'

    Part of the northern end goes along the Innocent - Bingham to Brunstane. The final section is north of Brunstane station and ought to be tarmac.

    The southern section is the biggest challenge/opportunity - go under or over the bypass, or just use the existing farmtrack(?)

    In the middle the main challenge (in the sense of follow the burn as closely as possible) is whether or not there is any prospect of a path in Liberton Golf Course or whether to make Moredunvale Road better for walking and cycling.

    Slightly surprising is the gap between the RIE and Craigmillar.

    'Obviously' there should be a decent path alongside the re-aligned Niddrie Burn, but apparently 'the money ran out' for this (partly) flood prevention scheme.

    There is a plan for a quiet route (pre-dating this 'route' idea) through the Niddrie Marischal housing.

    Not sure that's entirely satisfactory for a quiet/family route and certainly not for a 'leisure' route.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  7. chdot
    Admin

    "Due to the prioritisation of a number of other cycle schemes in the city we do not currently have resources available to progress this project."

    I think SEStran has got involved in this, which could help.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  8. Dave
    Member

    When I am on it, it is usually pretty busy with people walking dogs or themselves, running and biking.

    Anecdote != data etc., but I've twice been on it recently in rush hour to avoid the wind, and I saw one cyclist and a handful of dog walkers across both journeys. Bit of a shortfall from the 20% of Lanark Road traffic that the council is targeting.

    SWMBO won't use the WoL for personal safety reasons due to the lack of lighting (not sure she's as fussed about the mud. I avoid it because of the surface, and don't mind so much about the lights!)

    If Tarmac is laid wee radges on motorbikes will follow.

    Sadly my adolescence was motorbike free, but I'm pretty sure I'd want to be on the existing surface and not a tarmac one if I was going to thrash a bike on the WoL... no?

    Also, that's an argument that works against any kind of road improvement :)

    Posted 8 years ago #

  9. Dave
    Member

    Last night I went up the WoL to see what would happen. I saw one dog walker, and nothing else alive. This is at about 5:45pm peak rush hour...

    Posted 8 years ago #

  10. redmist
    Member

    Have I missed something, is there a proposal to tarmac the WoL path ? I mean between the canal and Balerno.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  11. steveo
    Member

    sadly not.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  12. cc
    Member

    I cycled on the Water of Leith path (somewhere downhill of the Gallery of Modern Art) some years ago and it was narrow narrow narrow and full of people walking in groups. Eventually I got off the bike and walked it. I haven't been back.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  13. fimm
    Member

    I still think it would be better to make the roads safe and leave the WoL as it is. Not that fixing the Lanark Road is easy! (Even as a thought experiment...)

    Posted 8 years ago #

  14. chdot
    Admin

    There's thread drift and thread drift.

    This thread is about the Porty - Pentlands 'route' via the RIE.

    Time for a new WoL thread?

    Posted 8 years ago #

  15. steveo
    Member

    Yeah sorry. Post Removed. TBH its been done to death any way.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  16. fimm
    Member

    Agreed. Sorry.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  17. gembo
    Member

    If portobello to pentlands is Tarmac it will get radges on motorbikes. These wee radges love the NEPN they train on it then hit the road and crash a stolen motorbike, consequences often serious.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  18. 14Westfield
    Member

    Unfortunately very little consequence for the radges; the one that rode a stolen bike down NEPN and ran a woman over at Haymarket was only sentenced to time served on remand so released after sentencing.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  19. chdot
    Admin

    No need to apologise for thread drift (ever).

    BUT

    This highlights a problem here that "Pentlands to Portobello" is too generic/inaccurate.

    Pentlands to Portobello actually describes Braid/Figgate Burns.

    This is Pentlands to Joppa - at least until the Joppa - Porty bit is sorted out!

    The WoL is easier as it doesn't change its name. The Braid Burn is called that all the way from the Pentlands until near Porty.

    This one doesn't even start in the Pentlands as the Burdiehouse Burn - it begins just north of the bypass with water from the Lothian and Swanston Burns (plus at least two others).

    Then it becomes the Niddrie and Brunstane Burns.

    So it needs a NAME.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  20. wingpig
    Member

    The Way of Many Burns.
    The East Runoff.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  21. urchaidh
    Member

    This is Pentlands to Joppa - at least until the Joppa - Porty bit is sorted out!

    <geopedantry>
    Joppa to Porty is fine as that's the prom, this missing link is East Joppa to West Joppa.
    </geopedantry>

    OK, so opinions vary on where the Joppa/Porty boundary is, but most folks put it west of the end of the prom. The most common boundary I've heard quoted is a line through Abercorn Park (aka The Daisy Park).

    Posted 8 years ago #

  22. Stickman
    Member

    The Quality Mud Corridor.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  23. chdot
    Admin

    <geopedantry>

    OK the Joppa to Joppa section.

    Or the 'boundary with East Lothian to Porty Prom" section.

    </geopedantry>

    Maybe Burdiehouse to Brunstane.

    That's more of a (current) reality than adding "Pentlands"

    Pentlands to Forth could be used to cover all the three main Edinburgh water routes, which might encourage some new (signed) links and general promotion.

    More 'real' than some of the quiet/family routes.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  24. chdot
    Admin

    "

    Pentlands to Porty Update

    This month there are just a couple of small things to update people on. Firstly, there is the important new road safety improvement at Lasswade Road. Friends member Fran Humphrey put forward a suggestion that crossing facilities be provided on Lasswade Road between the two major sections of the park. This suggestion attracted the most support of any proposals as part of a local consultation, and the work has been priced and is programme to be installed in April. We're expecting more details soon and will report back next month.

    Secondly, it's not glamorous, but drainage is important to keep the pathway through the park navigable all year round. To help with this the council has commissioned work at Ellen's Glen where the pathway regularly ponds in wintertime. Hopefully this will make walking and cycling much more attractive for park users. This investment compliments the work carried out to upgrade a major section of the park last year. This investment is much more modest, but every bit as important to improve the experience for park users. Big thanks to Jessica Morgado for getting this organised. The pathway has also been cleared and widened through this area. Keep watching for some more news about the pathway in the very near future.

    "

    http://us9.campaign-archive1.com/?u=6e00f3c05d6edd24adbf5cabd&id=83220dd80f

    Posted 8 years ago #

  25. chdot
    Admin

    "

    He said he was still keen to advance plans for a cycle route from the Pentlands to Portobello, partly along the course of Burdiehouse Burn.

    "

    http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/politics/two-more-councillors-to-leave-edinburgh-city-chambers-1-4182196

    Posted 8 years ago #

  26. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    Well, we have a path to the Pentlands in the form of the Water of Leith walkway.

    It isn't drained and was a sludgy, soupy mess yesterday. And that's a major commuter route.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  27. gembo
    Member

    Wol pTh was fine Tuesday night but fair bit of rainfall yesterday. If no more rain maybe dry enough again tomorrow.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  28. chdot
    Admin

    http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/crime/edinburgh-park-group-bids-to-drive-bikers-away-for-good-1-4205268

    Posted 8 years ago #

  29. Rob
    Member

    Whoever wrote the caption ("...youths have been causing havoc cycling very quickly ..."), didn't read the story ("... there is a growing problem with quad and trail bikers in the park.").

    Posted 8 years ago #

  30. Gresham Flyer
    Member

    Also it's an Edinburgh park- not Edinburgh Park which is somewhere entirely different. The article looks like it was written in about 30s via Chinese whispers -shock.

    Posted 8 years ago #

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