CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Infrastructure

Holyrood Park - cycle and pedestrian access

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  1. kaputnik
    Moderator

    A spokeswoman told BBC Scotland: "We welcome the city's decision to implement a 20mph speed limit and are planning a review of our existing traffic management plan, including the current speed limit and opportunities to maintain safe access for all park users.

    Spokesperson states they want to "maintain safe access for all" when the point of the article is that it's not currently safe enough and needs to be improved.

    Classic doublespeaksperson soundbite that simultaneously makes it sound like they intend to do something (not now, but soon) and commit themselves simultaneously to maintaining the status quo.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  2. gibbo
    Member

    The problem with the park - at least the section from Meadowbank Terr to Holyrood Park Road, and to Duddingston Village - is that it is, first and foremost, a 30mph road.

    That's its primary function.

    And, as long as cars (and commercial vehicles, of course) are the #1 priority, the park will remain as it is.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  3. c30c60
    Member

    Historic Scotland/Historic Environment Scotland is consulting on its Corporate Plan for 2016-2019. The draft includes:

    a. We will encourage engagement with, participation in and enjoyment of the historic environment and increase the diversity of people accessing it
    • reducing the barriers to access to the properties and collections that we care for and the services that we provide

    More here: http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/hesconsult and https://youtu.be/EzFYB_SVevc

    Posted 8 years ago #

  4. LaidBack
    Member

    I took a tour round by it yesterday. Kim back marked our group on road sections. Fairly obvious that accessing roads on a bike is considered 'antisocial' by the majority of road users. Paths though are not easy to access. Shot here taken as we got off road early to avoid any potential conflict. It is a park but I rate it as about as friendly as Princes Street from a cycling point of view.

    7 mile Holyrood Circuit by LaidBackBikes, on Flickr
    7 mile Holyrood Circuit by LaidBackBikes, on Flickr

    Posted 8 years ago #

  5. gkgk
    Member

    @WC re cheap speed camera, just measure out a 1/4 mile and set up your deckchair / p&s camera over the field or up on the slopes.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  6. Tulyar
    Member

    You can get an app for your android/iphone to track a vehicle and get a reckoning on the speed it is travelling at.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  7. Murun Buchstansangur
    Member

    So last night my evening ride fetched up at Holyrood Park, where I fancied a lap. I was surprised to find the vehicle barriers across the High Road, but seeing plenty of pedestrians around, decided to chance it anyway. The climb without the intrusion of vehicles was peaceful. The many pedestrians felt free to spill off the narrow strip of path they're normally allocated, kids were playing in the road. On cresting the final rise above Pollock, the sunset over the Old Town skyline was glorious.

    It was only when I got home that I learnt of the sad reason for the road closure. In my defence, there were no police signs at St Margaret's Loch, and the emergency services had all long since departed the scene.

    But - surely it shouldn't take a tragedy for the roads to be closed to vehicles during daylight hours, part of the time at the very least?

    Posted 7 years ago #

  8. Morningsider
    Member

    MB - no need to feel bad. The high road had been closed all day - there were road work signs up and it looks like grass cutting had been taking place.

    Posted 7 years ago #

  9. c30c60
    Member

    From Martin Gray, Ranger & Visitor Services Manager for the Park, in response to an enquiry about the implementation of 20mph zones:

    I can confirm that it is Historic Environment Scotland's intention to reduce the Park road speed limit in its entirety.

    Further Park road sections, Holyrood Gait to Holyrood Park Road and the Duddingston Low Road will reduce to 20mph with effect from the 28th February 2017 to mirror City of Edinburgh's 20mph project phase 3.

    I am currently in discussions with City of Edinburgh colleagues responsible for the 20mph implementation. These discussions include changes to Council signage at entrances to the Park to ensure that they are legally compliant.

    Posted 7 years ago #

  10. chdot
    Admin

    @ c30c60

    That's good/interesting

    "

    to mirror City of Edinburgh's 20mph project phase 3.

    "

    So, 'planned all along without consulting/telling anyone'?

    'Last minute, back of envelope, planning'?

    Will be enforced by?

    Posted 7 years ago #

  11. c30c60
    Member

    I believe the decision to adopt 20mph at the same time as the surrounding roads was taken a while back - honestly can't remember how I know that. I know nuthin' about the planning or enforcement aspects.

    But as a regular scaredy-cat cyclist in the Park, I'm hopeful it'll take some of the drama out of cycling down Queen's Drive. My nerves can't stand those high-speed overtakes.

    Posted 7 years ago #

  12. crowriver
    Member

    This is good news. Next HES need to invest in better pedestrian/cycling infrastructure for the park. It's ridiculously hazardous trying to cross any of the roads in Holyrood Park. More crossings are required, and better continuous paths too: not ones that stop or cross the road randomly without any safer way to cross.

    Posted 7 years ago #

  13. chdot
    Admin

    "

    I can confirm that it is Historic Environment Scotland's intention to reduce the Park road speed limit in its entirety.

    Further Park road sections, Holyrood Gait to Holyrood Park Road and the Duddingston Low Road will reduce to 20mph with effect from the 28th February 2017 to mirror City of Edinburgh's 20mph project phase 3.

    "

    Did this happen?

    Posts on other threads suggest not.

    Or is it just that there is no enforcement?

    Posted 6 years ago #

  14. crowriver
    Member

    There's no enforcement of the long standing ban on commercial vehicles, so why expect enforcement of 20mph?

    Posted 6 years ago #

  15. chdot
    Admin

    But it is officially 20mph now?

    I avoid cycling through HP almost always.

    Posted 6 years ago #

  16. drnoble
    Member

    "But it is officially 20mph now?"

    Well there are signs up with 20 limits throughout, so obviously cars MUST NOT drop below 20mph and MUST overtake anyone on a bike cycling at that speed… that's how speed limits work isn't it? :p

    Posted 6 years ago #

  17. chdot
    Admin

    I think this is relevant here

    https://www.historicenvironment.scot/about-us/news/new-plan-steps-up-heritage-response-to-climate-crisis/

    Posted 4 years ago #

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