CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Infrastructure

Calton Road closed (or not)

(178 posts)

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  1. Arellcat
    Moderator

    I watched the proceedings at Calton Hill/Lower Calton Rd for a few minutes on my way home today.

    Five car drivers and two taxi drivers took the left-hand fork when coming up Leith St. The second car driver didn't expect the big blockade, slowed, then ignored the No Entry sign and disappeared up Calton Hill. The third car driver also didn't expect the blockade, then attempted a u-turn but was blocked by the fourth car driver who had happily ignored the No Entry sign. Both then drove the wrong way up Calton Hill. The fifth car driver didn't even pause for thought as they ignored the No Entry sign for Calton Hill.

    Both taxi drivers made u-turns before reaching the blockade or the No Entry sign; the second taxi driver in fairness was using the temporary layby to drop off his passengers.

    And the first car driver?

    He was the one in a big black Audi, tearing up Calton Hill, and who nearly took me out me as I cycled down Calton Hill to view the proceedings.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  2. crowriver
    Member

    Yep. Why am I not surprised by this ludicrous illegal driving?

    Rat runners gonna rat run.

    I wonder who we can report this sort of thing to? Council? Police?

    Posted 8 years ago #

  3. dougal
    Member

    This morning as I headed towards the station there were 2 vehicles who had come down Calton Hill Road. The first was a brewery delivery lorry parked in exactly the same place as its predecessor that caused all the damage in the first place (shouldn't they have come up Calton Road to access the pub from below?) and a car that was "just passing through" to drop someone off.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  4. Wilmington's Cow
    Member

    Is Calton Hill one way? Or has it been rendered such because of the works? (I'm sure I've ridden 'up' it, but I may be misremembering).

    Anyway, polis were nabbing people a couple of days ago who were ignoring the short 'buses only' section of road near Hermiston Gait, so it can be done... (I also saw a taxi driver coming the other way stop a little further on, clearly at a point where he could then warn drivers from going that way)

    Posted 8 years ago #

  5. wingpig
    Member

    "...short 'buses only' section...
    ...so it can be done..."

    The bit where Gembo nearly got done?

    Posted 8 years ago #

  6. kaputnik
    Moderator

    Anyway, polis were nabbing people a couple of days ago who were ignoring the short 'buses only' section of road near Hermiston Gait

    Oh I noticed a couple of polises there when I was waiting for a train on Tuesday afternoon after a training course (the post-training train) and had wandered to the far end of the platform in search of the Rail Alphabet.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  7. PS
    Member

    Is Calton Hill one way? Or has it been rendered such because of the works? (I'm sure I've ridden 'up' it, but I may be misremembering).

    It is now (post-beer lorry apocalypse), but didn't used to be. It's a shame as I used to use it as a "fun" short cut up to Regent Road on the way to Arthur's Seat. It's not clear whether this is a temporary measure.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  8. chdot
    Admin

    "It's not clear whether this is a temporary measure."

    Is there any 'traffic benefit' (apart from trying to stop vehicles coming from Leith Street)?

    Of course, in line with CEC policy, there should be an "except cycles" sign.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  9. Murun Buchstansangur
    Member

    "Of course, in line with CEC policy, there should be an "except cycles" sign."

    I don't doubt there is such a policy. However, my experience of similar arrangements (mainly Candlemaker Row, which is excepting buses and cycles - buses uphill though are relatively rare, only route #2) are that drivers who in their own little minds believe/hope they are on a one-way street are a distinct menace to opposing cyclists. Not helped by all the usual Edinburgh inconveniences (parking of dubious/no legality, excessive vehicle speeds, rubbish road surfaces).

    All the above is obviated of course by the current blatant lawbreaking by uphill drivists at Calton Hill.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  10. jonty
    Member

    Calton Hill is a bit strange. I've used it once myself driving and had no idea it was meant to be No Entry until mentioned on this thread (no sign at the time). Looking at historic Street View photos, it was at one point No Motor Vehicles (but closed off for construction anyway) and then since then there's just been empty signposts, possibly occasionally populated by a sign before being knocked off again? There's one there now but I think it's fairly new.

    Interestingly, there's no corresponding One Way coming the other way, which presumably means it's just meant to be a "gate" (and will be why drivers are so happy to ignore it.)

    I used to think it made sense from a traffic point of view, because coming from Leith Street it provides a continuous route onto Regent's Road whereas going the other way your only option is to turn left on Leith Street and end up back where you were. Now I think about the routes via Calton Road, it might actually almost make more sense in reverse (although you tend to see fewer cars coming down it so there's probably some logic there.) I think it was probably mainly done to avoid conflict at a blind corner on a steep slope.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  11. crowriver
    Member

    "I think it was probably mainly done to avoid conflict at a blind corner on a steep slope."

    Indeed. Which conflict may have resulted in the unfortunate runaway beer lorry pictured at the start of this thread...

    Posted 8 years ago #

  12. urchaidh
    Member

    I guess making it one way downhill keeps it open for access without providing a useful through route that would encourage drivists to use it as a shortcut.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  13. PS
    Member

    @jonty As far as I'm aware, it wasn't no entry until the beer lorry fell through the wall. Then the no entry sign appeared on the signpost at the end of the pavement. This was subsequently rotated from its original orientation towards Picardy Place to facing the Black Bull, by whom is unclear, but presumably to allow hotel-servicing vehicles to approach the back door and bins of the Apex Hotel there without having to risk life, limb and brakes by coming down Calton Hill.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  14. Klaxon
    Member

    All of which makes me think it isn't backed up by any legal order

    Posted 8 years ago #

  15. crowriver
    Member

    In which case, what exactly was the point of installing the sign? (Twice, as the first one was flattened).

    Posted 8 years ago #

  16. PS
    Member

    Blockage still functioning yesterday at 5pm. Mercedes C320 cruised confidently past the late lamented Venue towards Leith Street only to come to a confused halt at the barriers. Having surveyed for a few seconds the numerous pedestrians walking down the road towards the station, he did his three point turn and retraced his steps. :-)

    Posted 8 years ago #

  17. Arellcat
    Moderator

    All of which makes me think it isn't backed up by any legal order

    According to CEC yesterday, there is a TRO for the No Entry.

    Fat lot of good it's doing, though.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  18. Min
    Member

    When I went past yesterday I saw a motorist flying off down towards Calton Road but without missing a beat they sailed straight through the no entry sign and up Calton Hill instead.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  19. ih
    Member

    Putting all the benefits for cycling down Calton Road aside for a moment, why has it taken 5 months to fail to repair a small section of retaining wall?

    Posted 8 years ago #

  20. Min
    Member

    why has it taken 5 months to fail to repair a small section of retaining wall?

    Uuummmmmm. This Is Edinburgh?

    Posted 8 years ago #

  21. Ed1
    Member

    I used this road this morning, I did wonder in theory are we meant to dismount to pass the closed section?

    Posted 8 years ago #

  22. jonty
    Member

    I do, if just for politeness. On the first day you couldn't really do anything, but the gap is now sufficiently wide that you could get away with not. It's only a few metres - no bit hassle to walk it really.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  23. ih
    Member

    " in theory are we meant to dismount to pass the closed section?"

    In theory, yes, the road is closed; no vehicles including bikes allowed. Get off and walk past the barriers. Yeah, right!

    Posted 8 years ago #

  24. neddie
    Member

    why has it taken 5 months to fail to repair a small section of retaining wall

    It's possible they don't know who is responsible for the upkeep of the wall, or perhaps it's disputed.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  25. Wilmington's Cow
    Member

    "In theory, yes, the road is closed; no vehicles including bikes allowed. Get off and walk past the barriers. Yeah, right!"

    'In theory'? Or 'actually, yes, it is the case'. 'In theory' always sounds just like 'otherwise law abiding' to me.

    On a driving forum someone is saying, "In theory, yes, the road is closed; no vehicles including cars allowed. Turn round and take an alternative route past the barriers. Yeah, right!"

    Posted 8 years ago #

  26. Charlethepar
    Member

    @Wilmington's Cow

    That is a prime example of false equivalence.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  27. Wilmington's Cow
    Member

    Use that in a conversation with a driver complaining about cyclists ignoring a legal restriction which applies to them and see how far you get.

    Or... Do such statements that 'there are rules, but they don't apply to me as a cyclist' help perpetuate the belief that all cyclists are scofflaws and thereby help cement an anti-cyclist feeling?

    Posted 8 years ago #

  28. ih
    Member

    You're right @Wilmington and I feel rightfully chastised. However the current situation is daft. There is no reason at all that an "except for cycles" shouldn't be put up there, making it legal to ride past the barrier, and there is precious little reason, as far as I can see, that the wall shouldn't be repaired and the road opened.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  29. Wilmington's Cow
    Member

    "There is no reason at all that an "except for cycles" shouldn't be put up there, making it legal to ride past the barrier, and there is precious little reason, as far as I can see, that the wall shouldn't be repaired and the road opened."

    Absolutely!

    (I noted yesterday there are roadworks one the route of the Quality Bike Corridor, so the solution is simply to remove the lines marking the cycle lane. Marvellous. Edinburgh)

    Posted 8 years ago #

  30. Ed1
    Member

    In theory as opposed to in practice as notice many people seem to use this route, I never suggested I was otherwise law-abiding -)

    Posted 8 years ago #

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