@CC and @AC
yes, these cameras are far too effective ever to be installed.
The average speed ones are even worse you have to slow down for the entire distance not just before and after the camera
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Infrastructure
A8 route - Consulation
(161 posts)-
Posted 4 years ago #
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Yes, the average speed cameras improve safety rather than making drivers stamp on the brakes.
Posted 4 years ago # -
This stretch of road is crying out for them. Hopefully I won't be a statistic that forces them to happen.
Posted 4 years ago # -
OK
So what are we to understand from this?
CEC designs stuff based on unrealistic expectations of behaviour change?
Lawbreaking (ignoring speed limits) is inevitable and enforcement ‘not possible’?
CEC willing to respond rapidly when (enough of) ‘the right sort of people’ complain?
Posted 4 years ago # -
Our Councillors have received the following response from the Road Safety and
"Dear Councillor
RECENT CHANGES TO ROAD MARKINGS ON THE A8 GLASGOW ROADThank you for your recent correspondence about alterations to the road markings on the westbound slip road from the A8 Glasgow Road to the airport and at the junction with Gogarstone Road. I apologise for the delay in responding.
The Council has been implementing a phased series of improvements to provision for pedestrians and cyclists along the A8, between South Gyle and Newbridge, over the last few years. The next phase of this work will include the introduction of traffic signals and pedestrian crossing across both the A8 (at the BP station) and Ingliston Road, as well as changes to the junction at Gogarstone Road to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists to cross the side road in safety.
To support these changes, it was considered necessary to reduce the speed limit on the National Speed Limit section of the A8 to 40mph. This will also support anticipated future changes to the nature of the road, arising from adjacent planned major developments. The Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) necessary to change the speed limit was advertised last year as part of the statutory TRO process. This included the erection of site notices, notifications in the local press and on the Traffic Orders section of the Council’s website and notifying local elected members and Community Councils of the proposed change. Objections to the TRO were reported to the Council’s Transport & Environment Committee on 6 December 2018.
To comply with legislation and to promote compliance with the new speed limit, a package of work was recently undertaken to change the speed limit signs on the A8 and alter road markings along the route. As part of this work, areas of hatching were introduced on the slip road to the airport, to reduce it to a single traffic lane, and at the junction with Gogarstone Road, to remove the deceleration and acceleration lanes. Lanes of this type are not required, or usually provided, on 40mph roads.
During consultations on the proposals for pedestrian and cycle improvements along the route, the most commonly raised issue was safety while trying to cross Gogarstone Road. The main causes of this concern were the limited visibility between users of the crossing point and approaching traffic, turning both into and out of the road, and the speed of traffic turning left out of the road. Subsequent site visits determined that these concerns were valid. The new areas of hatching at the junction aim to address these issues, as an interim measure, prior to the next phase of the pedestrian and cycle route improvements proceeding.
The paths to the rear of the hatching are legally redetermined as shared use, to allow their use by both pedestrians and cyclists, and cycle route signing is in place. It is intended to widen and improve these paths, and to make more substantive changes to the junction layout to assist those crossing the road, as part of the next phase of the route improvements.
The changes that have been made to signs and road markings at the slip road and the junction are within the discretion of Council Officers to make and do not require to be approved by local Councillors or a Council Committee. Consultation with local community groups is not usually undertaken prior to making relatively minor changes to road layouts, such as the introduction of hatched markings. The changes were, however, subject to a Road User Safety Audit, conducted by an independent consultant, prior to their implementation and any concerns raised by the Auditor were considered prior to the changes being made.
Since the changes were made a number of concerns about them have been brought to my attention. In response, my colleague, [] visited the location on several occasions, at various times of day, to monitor the operation of the new road layouts at the slip road and the junction. During these visits, it was apparent that the road signs giving advanced warning of the slip road and the junction were obscured by overgrowing vegetation and he therefore arranged for this to be cut back, as a matter of urgency.
He has also met with representatives of the airport and the Royal Highland Centre and with local Councillors. As a result of these discussions the second traffic lane on the airport slip road have been reinstated to coincide with the start of the Royal Highland Show.
Video surveys of the Gogarstone Road junction are to be carried out, to gather further information on the numbers and types of users and the various issues being experienced. Should it not be possible for these surveys to be carried out prior to the start of the school summer holidays, they will take place after the end of the holiday period, to ensure that they capture normal traffic conditions. These timescales have been agreed with local Councillors.Once the survey information has been analysed we will meet again with Councillors, and with local stakeholder groups, to discuss possible short and longer term adjustments so that the road is as safe as possible for all road users. Meanwhile, I would like to thank you for your patience while this work is carried out.
Yours sincerely
Road Safety and Active Travel Manager"
Posted 4 years ago # -
During these visits, it was apparent that the road signs giving advanced warning of the slip road and the junction were obscured by overgrowing vegetation and he therefore arranged for this to be cut back, as a matter of urgency.
This has finally happend after nearly 10 weeks!!
Posted 4 years ago # -
Yesterday I went to a meeting with Ratho Community Council and an Active Travel Officer.
The officer explain the rationale for the change at Gogarstone Road and I explained the difficulties for active travellers - that not every driver took the junction at safe speeds / with appropriate lookout for people crossing and the waiting area (to cross) was too small especially if you were supervising little people.
The officer explain how they intend to improve the signage so that there is clear distinction between the Gogarstone Junction and Airport Sliproad. They also intend to build out the road edge and verge in line with the current hatchings and move the bus stop (don't know where to).
The community council weren't convinced by this and asked what else could be done...
Two alternatives emerged,
1. Move the crossing further south (away from the A8).
2. Signalise the jucntion.
The officer is going to go away and consider them.
Personally, I can't see either being built.
The land take required for option 1 would be quite substantial and take you a long way off the desire line.
The cost of putting lights in would be disproportionate to the problem trying to be solved. (Note how long it is taking to get lights at the Dalmahoy).
The officer did say he would consult further...
Posted 4 years ago # -
Thanks Hankchief for continuing to fight on all fronts. Chapeau
Posted 4 years ago # -
I suppose there would be no appetite for options such as:
3. Make Gogarstone Road exit-only.
4. Close Gogarstone Road completely.Posted 4 years ago # -
@Frenchy - not from the Community Council...
It is the most direct route from Ratho to Corstorphine / Gyle / Town, but crucially also to get to the Ingliston Park & Ride and direct Public transport routes. None of the roads to Ratho are really fit for purpose
If you were playing Sim City, you would build a new road to the Airport Dumbbell junction.
Posted 4 years ago #
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