CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Infrastructure

Russell Rd/Roseburn St Cycle Path

(59 posts)
  • Started 7 years ago by Edinburgh Cycle Training
  • Latest reply from fimm

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  1. I never even noticed this path before today. No idea how I missed it!

    Anyone know the point if it? How long its been there? where it is supposed to link to/from?

    Apart from it being utter crap, I am really struggling to see its point.

    Posted 7 years ago #
  2. crowriver
    Member

    Oh yeah that one. I assume the idea is that it makes it a wee bit safer to get around the corner if travelling from Roseburn Park to Haymarket Yards or the on-ramp to the NEPN.

    Basically it's a substitute for turning right at a rather hazardous junction.

    I've used it a few times, because traffic fairly rattles round that junction at a fast pace. It does the job but aye it's crap.

    Posted 7 years ago #
  3. Rosie
    Member

    I live in Roseburn Street and turn right into Russell Road every day.

    It is far pleasanter using that path than the awful intersection at Roseburn Street/Roseburn Terrace.

    Yes - it's a blind corner and you're sharing with pedestrians but it's safer.

    Turning right from Roseburn Street there's possible traffic turning left and right from the A8.

    Posted 7 years ago #
  4. crowriver
    Member

    "It is far pleasanter using that path than the awful intersection at Roseburn Street/Roseburn Terrace."

    Absolutely. It should really continue a bit further rather than dump you just after the junction.

    Posted 7 years ago #
  5. Rosie
    Member

    Yes - though the traffic along Russell Road is often stopped at peak times so you can get across the road. Drivers wave me through 2/5 days.

    Posted 7 years ago #
  6. neddie
    Member

    It was hailed as a major Spokes success several years back.

    Shows how expectations have moved on.

    Posted 7 years ago #
  7. Rosie
    Member

    It's also a mush-pit in the autumn.

    Posted 7 years ago #
  8. Rosie
    Member

    I once took a hard broom out to clear it as I found it slippery and scary in the autumn, but the debris seemed to be glued to the pavement.

    Posted 7 years ago #
  9. So, from Roseburn Park I am expected to right here ? SHARP left onto that path, pootle up the path then turn right again on to Russell road (hoping someone lets me out to do so)?

    Wow! And Spokes put that in?!

    I have to say, that sounds trickier than the left - right it really is - although I do appreciate how someone a bit nervous on the roads might feel a bit intimidated at the main junction.

    I'm not convinced, but if folk using it are happy with it I suppose it must have merit. I really was thinking I can't recall seeing a more useless bit of "cycling infrastructure" in Edinburgh!

    Posted 7 years ago #
  10. Rosie
    Member

    From your route you're meant to dismount!

    Posted 7 years ago #
  11. Glad the office is quiet Rosie, you made me laugh out loud!

    Posted 7 years ago #
  12. SRD
    Moderator

    "Wow! And Spokes put that in?!"

    thought only PG believed that Spokes actually puts infra in!

    That one's so pointless (and invisible to casual users) that even my kids refuse to use it.

    Posted 7 years ago #
  13. chdot
    Admin

    "It was hailed as a major Spokes success several years back."

    The shared use (poorly segregated) pavement might have been, but I doubt if this bit was.

    Seem to remember that the north side of Russell Road doesn't even have a proper dropped kerb(?)

    Posted 7 years ago #
  14. crowriver
    Member

    I've cycled this way a few times. The junction near the A8 is really quite nasty, you can't see what's coming (at speed) before turning right. So the shared use does fulfil a function, and as I say I've used it, coming from Roseburn Park.

    It's crap but I prefer it to a right turn at that junction, frankly.

    Posted 7 years ago #
  15. wishicouldgofaster
    Member

    I have used it once but felt it pointless so have never used it since.

    Posted 7 years ago #
  16. Rosie
    Member

    It is quite well used. I'd say those turning right from Roseburn Street use it most of the time. Turning out of Roseburn Park, mebbe not so much.

    Posted 7 years ago #
  17. SRD
    Moderator

    i tried to get the kids onto it a couple of times, but everytime we used it, there were always pedestrians - usually old folk, or not very nimble folk, and kids all over it, looking at us like we were in the wrong place. so we gave up.

    Posted 7 years ago #
  18. cb
    Member

    "Seem to remember that the north side of Russell Road doesn't even have a proper dropped kerb(?)"

    Are you meant to cycle on the pavement on the north side of Russell Road? Further on the pavement is quite wide and there is the wee brick strip down the middle which makes it look like cyclists are maybe meant to be there, but there are no signs to suggest that.

    I've always used the road.

    Posted 7 years ago #
  19. crowriver
    Member

    Well that side of Russell Road pavement does link up to the on-ramp to NEPN. I have used that, when in pooling mode, to link to the NEPN. Whether I'm supposed to I haven't the foggiest, but there are shared use signs round the corner towards the NEPN I think...?

    Actually just checked on Streetview and that's not the case. Oh well wishful thinking on my part: seems I'm an illegal pavement cyclist!
    :-)

    Posted 7 years ago #
  20. chdot
    Admin

    "Are you meant to cycle on the pavement on the north side of Russell Road?"

    Probably not (I mean no!).

    The only time I've done the 'proper' bit is with parties of kids who were better off on the pavement along Russell Road.

    Posted 7 years ago #
  21. rbrtwtmn
    Member

    It does work in a 'better than nothing' kind of way. I used it with the kids the other day - it meant we could avoid navigating a more major junction, and simply cross a road. From the park you are meant to 'dismount and use pavement to cross at island' (see sign on Streetview: https://goo.gl/maps/Kqtm8Wob8NF2 ). We spotted a gap in the parked cars and hopped up the pavement immediately across the road.

    So - in very simple safety-given-no-major-change-possible terms it's definitely better-than-it-not-being-there-at-all.

    Posted 7 years ago #
  22. Firedog
    Member

    I've wondered about the north side of Russell Road. The pavement is so wide part of me is willing it to be an official cycle route.

    I've cycled along it a few times and never encountered a pedestrian.

    Posted 7 years ago #
  23. Rosie
    Member

    The north side pavement is pretty good and I do cycle along it when coming off the slalom. There are pedestrians but there's plenty of space. I get off it when it goes over the driveway.

    Could do with a dropped kerb further along from Tesco's so you can turn right when heading westwards along Russell Road (though it would be low in my list of priorities).

    Tesco lets you take your cycle inside, which wins them huge brownie points from me. Also nice friendly staff.

    Posted 7 years ago #
  24. Coxy
    Member

    I think the north side USED to be shared use - but it isn't now.

    Lots use it, but I never have.

    Posted 7 years ago #
  25. cb
    Member

    From that other thread

    "Design a crossing over Russell Road to link two shared use footways."

    I can't work out where this would/could be?

    Does this suggest that the north pavement is shared use (or thought of as such by planning people)?

    Posted 7 years ago #
  26. Fountainbridge
    Member

    I've traversed Russel Road for 30 odd years. I think that particular bit of the path was put in about 20 years ago when the flats were built.

    I seem to remember the shared use path ran along Russel Road from Tesco's to Sauchiebank. Now there's only one sign left on that stretch under the railway bridge. Difficult to say where the path stops and starts now.

    Edited to add that it looks like the shared use path is still fully recognised. Image from the CEC Street Atlas

    Russell-Road by Paul fae Fountainbridge, on Flickr

    Posted 7 years ago #
  27. BaseCut
    Member

    Does anyone know why there is suddenly a parking free for all on the Russell Road double yellows by the bottom of the switch-back? The double yellows seem to have been grubbed out. I recall there was something about a TRO being delayed. It's not good right now with fly-parkers all the way under the bridge. The sight lines are prejudiced as well as road space.

    Posted 7 years ago #
  28. Big_Smoke
    Member

    No idea and I use that section more often, bally dangerous for sure. Wonder how KNS are going to defend this thing?

    Posted 7 years ago #
  29. SRD
    Moderator

    I meant to ask about the double yellows too. I went thru last week as they were being removed.

    Posted 7 years ago #
  30. Rosie
    Member

    It's appalling as now cars are clogging up the space under the bridge. It feels distinctly uncomfortable that the road has effectively been narrowed when you're entering a darker area and want to be as far to the left as possible.

    Loads of people park in Russell Road and walk to work from there. An ex colleague does that, and works near the Haymarket. I've not found it a problem up to now, but this under the bridge malarkey is a bridge (ha!) too far.

    Posted 7 years ago #

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