Hmmm... A bit miffed that I didn't get notification of the consultation starting seeing as I have been emailing on a regular basis for when it would come out...
It's here now and on the whole I think it is a reasonable job across a number of locations with limited funds and taking on board previous feedback.
Certainly the bits where I think that one day my luck will run out are being addressed - it is a bit 'tactile-tastic' though and there are several bits where the detail isn't clear and a few bits that I don't understand...
As Stickman says the juicy stuff will come in phase 2 in 2017 and nearly all of it being done without any significant impact on motor traffic.
I hope people don't mind if I do another mammoth post taking it bit by bit starting in the West - feel free to correct me if you think I'm wrong.
1. Newbridge bridge will have it's bollards moved to having a 1.5m gap between fence & bollard but only 1.5m between the two bollards and not the standard 3m. I'll be asking why.
Newbridge bridge West side by HankChief, on Flickr
Newbridge bridge Eastside by HankChief, on Flickr
They are also smoothing the radii of the corners on the path as it approaches bridge, which is good.
The designs have 'no cycling' painted into the pavement for heading NW under the footbridge and onto the old railway line to Kirkliston. Don't understand why that is?
2. Lochend Road Junction. A slight tightening of the entrance radius (and talk of a potential refuge). Moving the bus shelter off the path will make a big improvement.
Lochend Rd Bus stop by HankChief, on Flickr
It looks like some resurfacing & widening for the next section East but not doesn't go into details
3. Ratho Station Overbridge steps will get a flat channel for pushing bikes over. Good idea.
4. Ratho Station houses - talks of Parking Improvement, Carriageway realignment and path widening in phase 2 but no details. Need to see what that will be as overgrown hedges and bin day currently make it a real challenge.
Ratho Station Path by HankChief, on Flickr
5. Ratho Station to Halyards Road - changing access road priorities to path users is welcome. Halyards Road junction will be improved but I can't see any details.
6. By Royal Highland Showground - talks or religning paths to better fit through poles, but nothing on smoothing out the bumps or moving the bus stop.
Bus stop by RHS by HankChief, on Flickr
7. Ingliston Road Junction. Putting in dropped kerbs which will mean you can ride straight across which is good, but the jnct remains mainly unchanged.
8. Aiport Dumbells. Scraping back the paths on the approaches is welcome as is the making the path underneath the A8 to be 3m wide - (horrid sightlines & narrow path before). Some indication of improving the radii of turns as you come down the ramp from Ingliston Rd and want to head under the A8.
9. Gogarstone Road Entrance. Path widening and refuge put in so you can cycle in a straight line across it. I'm slightly concerned that the sightline won't be good to see vehicles approaching from Gogarstone Road, but the view of vehs exiting the A8 will be much improved.
10. RBS to Tram depot. The entrances to the Cabinet works and Gogar Castle will be changed to give path users priority (& hopefully remove the puddles from them). I'm very keen to understand how the Castle Gogar one will be done.
11. Maybury Road. Keeping Northbound 1 lane until past North Gyle Terrace, with a right turn lane and refuge is great idea - as Stickman says why can't it be continued to Bughtlin RAB - the 2 lanes are only useful for storing the queuing traffic for Barnton/Mayury junctions.
Sorting out the dropped kerbs will be very welcomed. It will be interesting to see how cyclists use it. Wait for the toucan, use right turn lane or refuge...
I'm not totally convinced about the bike gate as you head west out of North Gyle Terrace (bike lane on left of bollard making it 1 road lane with priority to Eastbound traffic). NGT is used at rush hours as a rat run to avoid the queues on Maybury / Drumbrae and so you often get queues of people trying to turn left out of it and making use of the yellow box on Maybury road to feed into both lanes.
I can't think of a situation where the bike lane will help with progress that couldn't be done without it. One I'll raise with the designer on Wednesday to understand it.
12. Dechmont Road Toucan. Some minor improvements at the toucan (which will still be 2 stage) and better signage - which I always thought was lacking.
13. Craigmount Steps make an appearance on the plans but only as 'potential' and in phase 2, which is a disappointment as I've been banging on about them for a couple of years already.
13. South Gyle Park / South Gyle Gardens. Resurfacing, removing tight corners and signage improvements are all welcome.
14. A8 South Side: Marriot - Gogar Path Upgrade. No details but this would be very welcome especially with the Edinburgh Gateway station opening up.
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