CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » General Edinburgh

Borders rail plan knocked off track

(27 posts)

  1. cb
    Member

    I don't think this news about one of the bidders for the Borders railway pulling out is all that new.

    But I thought that the bit of detail around a proposal for how to route things at Falahill was quite interesting.

    Basically the road and dismantled railway cross each other at a very slight angle. The proposal is to 'split' the road and rejoin it via a couple of 90-degree turns (using a couple of roundabouts) and a bridge. (see the pic in the article).

    Presumably regular commuters will be up in arms as it will make their commute a bit slower.

    E.g.
    "Local Councillor Sandy Aitchison, of the Borders Party, who regularly travels the route, said: “I am completely against this proposal. This whole idea flies in the face of transport policy. It will slow down traffic and also make the what is already a problem road even more dangerous.”"

    But the article also says that the A7 will get a couple of extra overtaking lanes. So that would make a commute faster.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  2. kaputnik
    Moderator

    yeah, you said it Sandy, the train should be routed around the 2 roundabouts and 90 degree turns and not inconvenience poor old you by adding 30 seconds onto your journey.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  3. Cyclingmollie
    Member

    What transport policy, I wonder, does Mr Aitchison think this flies in the face of? Anyway lots of A class roads have roundabouts part-way along them - the A1 and the A68 certainly.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  4. kaputnik
    Moderator

    A702 has that silly one just outside West Linton - which isn't actually silly at all when you consider it is there to slow down the cars that otherwise barrel through the village at 60 mph.

    I guess Mr Aitchison doesn't trust round things - the next thing someone will be telling him the world isn't flat.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  5. Morningsider
    Member

    One of the key aims of the Borders Party is to oppose the development of the Borders Railway, which says it all really.

    The pullout of Fluor (a member of one of the three consortia bidding for the project) is disappointing but hardly a killer blow. If the project survives tomorrow's budget then it will be built.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  6. Cyclingmollie
    Member

    kaputnik: "the train should be routed around the 2 roundabouts and 90 degree turns" That would be something to see. When I was young I thought the trains ran along the top of the Forth Bridge.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  7. cb
    Member

    Surely everyone thought the trains ran over the top of the railway bridge!

    Posted 13 years ago #

  8. chdot
    Admin

    "If the project survives tomorrow's budget then it will be built."

    Seems so -

    http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1679#post-16835

    Posted 13 years ago #

  9. kaputnik
    Moderator

    So long as it hasn't survived using the "aircraft carrier defence" - in that it's too expensive not to build it, but it won't be getting any trains!*

    * but the French are welcome to have a shot on it

    Posted 13 years ago #

  10. chdot
    Admin

    "but it won't be getting any trains"

    Yeah but - then we could all build lots of 'railbikes'.

    But seriously...

    Hope they don't save money by failing to build all the cyclepaths 'planned' - some of which would relate to developments just south of Edinburgh (Shawfair - with its own station) which the railway may cause to actually start.

    Of course it would be nice if the South Sub was re-opened at the same time, but there is no really rational transport policy and all the money is 'needed' for a new Forth Bridge.

    Makes you wonder why they bother to publish stuff like -

    "
    Objective 11: Widening travel choices.
    Encouraging lower carbon options, like public transport, car clubs, car sharing and cycling and walking.

    It is generally recognised that public transport, car clubs, car sharing, and cycling and walking represent lower cost and lower carbon options to the private car. Nevertheless, there is not as wide spread use of as there might be. Over 50% of all car journeys made are under 5km, and 40% are under 3km. Low carbon options can bring financial, health and environmental benefits to businesses and households

    "

    http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1679#post-16840

    Posted 13 years ago #

  11. kaputnik
    Moderator

    Over 50% of all car journeys made are under 5km, and 40% are under 3km.

    "But I can't cycle that, it's too far!"

    There's a woman at my work who drives under 1/2 mile every day to get to work then moans to anyone who'll listen about how hard her lot is, how bad the traffic was and how unjust it is that the work won't give her a permanent parking space right outside the front door.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  12. chdot
    Admin

    "There's a woman at my work who drives under 1/2 mile every day to get to work"

    Sadly she is not unique.

    Do you know where she actually stays?

    Is there a 'nice' http://edinburgh.cyclestreets.net route that she might consider 'safe'.

    (Yes I realise she probably doesn't have a bike - walking is, presumably, an option.)

    "moans to anyone who'll listen"

    Is anyone sympathetic?

    Do you work anywhere big enough to have anyone responsible for 'staff health' - or is it wellbeing these days?

    Posted 13 years ago #

  13. kaputnik
    Moderator

    I admit I wouldn't want to cycle throught the Maybury and Gogar junctions if it were "new" to me, but walking is most definitely a 15 minute option.

    Is anyone sympathetic?

    If by anyone you mean me, then no!

    Do you work anywhere big enough to have anyone responsible for 'staff health' - or is it wellbeing these days?

    No, it's lifematters!! And yes it's "big enough" but no I don't think it's much more than a facade.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  14. chdot
    Admin

    "If by anyone you mean me"

    No, I could imagine your view!

    Posted 13 years ago #

  15. chdot
    Admin

    "No, it's lifematters!!"

    Oh, I'm so behind the times...

    http://lifematters.bigcityweb.co.uk

    Posted 13 years ago #

  16. amir
    Member

    "If the project survives tomorrow's budget then it will be built. "

    I have been following the Waverley Line project quite closely as it goes quite close to my house. My understanding is that the bill was written with a "started so I'll finish" clause. The process has actuallty started so it must now be finished - no choice.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  17. chdot
    Admin

    "My understanding is that the bill was written with a "started so I'll finish" clause. The process has actually started so it must now be finished - no choice."

    Well not without a law change at least. Seems similar things afflict the tram - may not be legal (or at least contractual) to not go to Newhaven(?)

    Posted 13 years ago #

  18. kaputnik
    Moderator


    The next train for the Scottish Borders will be the...

    Progress afoot at Millerhill.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  19. chdot
    Admin

    "
    Borders rail plan rocked as top firm pulls out

    THE future of the planned Borders Railway has been thrown into doubt after another key player pulled out of the race for the contract, The Scotsman can reveal.

    "
    http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/news/Borders-rail-plan-rocked-as.6785792.jp

    Posted 12 years ago #

  20. Arellcat
    Moderator

    And it was all going so well, too!

    Posted 12 years ago #

  21. chdot
    Admin

    Yes, that work is a bit of a mystery if the 'contract isn't signed'.

    I that 'officially' the only work was moving services at the other end of the line.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  22. steveo
    Member

    Last time i was in Gala there was a lot of digging around the old rail way which used to be the off road cycle route.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  23. Morningsider
    Member

    Hootsman up to its usual tricks I suspect. The completion of the Borders railway was an SNP manifesto commitment, is a legislative requirement and there are still competent bidders for the project.

    It is almost certain that whoever wins the contract will subcontract maintenance to Network Rail or possibly a major rail contractor as the cost of the equipment involved is far too expensive for such a short line and access to the railway is only via Network Rail infrstructure.

    The work at Millerhill is (I think) being udertaken by Network Rail using their own powers to develop rail infrstructure on operational railway land, prior to the let of the main contract.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  24. kaputnik
    Moderator

    Hootsman up to its usual tricks I suspect.

    I'd second that. They've such a negative attitude to anything that might be progress, they spin any story as a catastrophe just so that they might sell a few more papers. They should take a long hard look at their own circulation figures and general irrelevance.

    That said in Gala they are re-locating a water main, which had been laid under the old trackbed.

    They've started minor structural work on Lothianbridge viaduct and the Esk viaduct at Dalkeith (pointing, removing plant growth, repairing frost damage etc.)

    The work at Millerhill is being used as a turnback siding but can/will also be the link into the new line.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  25. chdot
    Admin

    "FIRST Minister Alex Salmond has insisted the Borders rail link will go ahead despite signs that only one consortium will be left bidding to build the line."

    http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/topstories/Borders-rail-link-pledge.6786611.jp

    Posted 12 years ago #

  26. amir
    Member

    Despite the fact that it will pass quite close to me house and remove one of the most pleasant places to walk in Eskbank, I am looking forward to it. I'll be able to take easy trips to the Borders for cycling and indeed connect with the rest of the network.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  27. amir
    Member

    Machine on Eskbank viaduct. Looks likes its for boring but its actually on the bridge.

    Posted 12 years ago #

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