CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Infrastructure

Edinburgh Tram Extension to Newhaven

(319 posts)

  1. neddie
    Member

    Apparently consultants appointed by the Council have analysed transport modes for people shopping in the Leith Walk area, as the shopkeepers are very worried about losing parking spaces.

    They found that only 7% came by car!

    Posted 5 years ago #
  2. Stickman
    Member

    @neddie: has that been published anywhere yet?

    Posted 5 years ago #
  3. crowriver
    Member

    The figure for cars was actually 18%; 3% were car passengers; Bicycle was 7%; Bus 58%; Walking 64%. Source is their own travel survey, which was published online with the draft plans during the consultation. Don't have the link handy, but it is online somewhere.

    The figures are in fact divided into "normal" and "main" methods of travel:I've used the "normal" figures.

    Posted 5 years ago #
  4. chdot
    Admin

    “the shopkeepers are very worried about losing parking spaces”

    Yes, but how many were more worried about losing parking spaces for themselves?

    How many really believe that ‘most’ customers come by car?

    Posted 5 years ago #
  5. Klaxon
    Member

    Community Councils Together on Trams (CCTT): joint statement

    https://leithcentralcc.co.uk/2018/06/29/community-councils-together-on-trams-cctt-joint-statement-and-press-release/

    Posted 5 years ago #
  6. Klaxon
    Member

    My hot take on the above statement is that the CCs are lining up to oppose the trams in the same way the Tories oppose cycling

    We support trams, but not done the proposed way, we've not been consulted enough, and the project is both gold plated and not good enough

    Posted 5 years ago #
  7. crowriver
    Member

    "how many were more worried about losing parking spaces for themselves?"

    Most of them.

    Posted 5 years ago #
  8. crowriver
    Member

    @Klaxon, not sure I agree.

    For example I can't find much to disagree with below.

    ---

    We seek to ensure that the design philosophy, by which we mean the way in which the final designs are agreed and the manner in which the project is delivered, is informed by the following principles:

    • that the well-being of the people along the extended tram route is kept front and centre throughout the project.
    • that the design of the tram extension should be aligned with the city’s over-arching transport and design priorities of environmental improvement, reduction of traffic, and people-led ‘place-making’. It should preserve and enhance the frequency of pedestrian crossings at intervals which clearly demonstrate the priority of the pedestrian over the car user.
    • that TT/CEC acknowledge the tram route passes through a unique and complex eco-system of distinct communities, businesses, cultural spaces, cafes, pubs and restaurants, and spontaneous meeting places.
    • that the tram extension project, both in its design and delivery, should enhance this eco-system rather than diminish it, and in particular, this should focus on the complex inter-play between pedestrians, cyclists, public transport and car users.
    • that the insertion of major infrastructure into one of Edinburgh’s premier streets is focused on the highest possible quality of planning, execution and final outcome.

    ---

    Posted 5 years ago #
  9. Klaxon
    Member

    The specific points are good but the conclusion is

    concerned that the timescale currently envisaged by the tram team is incompatible with the concerns that we have set out above.

    That's asking for any decision to be kicked down the river - years more uncertainty

    Posted 5 years ago #
  10. crowriver
    Member

    @Klaxon, very possibly. Surely better to get it right than rush it? Though obvs if it drags on too long, it will eventually be cancelled by a future (Tory) council?

    Posted 5 years ago #
  11. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    Seems trams and bicyclists can co-exist in some universes.

    https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-scotland-44641639/learning-lessons-from-a-cycling-city

    Posted 5 years ago #
  12. chdot
    Admin

  13. chdot
    Admin

  14. chdot
    Admin

  15. Snowy
    Member

    That looks great. In terms of navigation, I'm sure it would be trivial to have a tram follow a set of sensors embedded every few metres in the road surface.
    You could certainly swap batteries in and out at the end of the line and it would hardly be a challenge to organise a battery rota.
    Bit of a shame we've got an embarrassingly massive overstock of the old fashioned mains-powered steel-wheelers sitting doing nothing while technology marches on. Oh well.

    Posted 5 years ago #
  16. crowriver
    Member

    Cllr Adam McVey Retweeted

    The Bed Shop Leith Walk EH6 @TheBedShopLeith

    We will close for the last time on Friday 31st August after 40 years on Leith Walk. We’re re-locating to Bonnington Trade Estate at Bonnington Toll.
    Meanwhile our huge Re-location Sale continues.
    If you’re looking for a bargain, now’s the time.

    https://twitter.com/TheBedShopLeith/status/1026352255749054464

    ---

    IIRC the owner of this shop was the ringleader of "local traders" who vehemently resisted segregated cycle lanes and removal of parking/loading from the northern half of Leith Walk. Obviously his relocation is caused by the imminent redevelopment of the block where the shop is, but a side benefit will be fewer opponents to segregated cycle lanes and removal of parking/loading from the northern half of Leith Walk if/when the tram extension comes down that way.

    Posted 5 years ago #
  17. He was. I eventually blocked him on Twitter as he turned out to be quite bitterly anti-cyclist, not just someone with 'business objections' to losing parking.

    My last (very expensive) mattress was bought from his shop. He certainly won't ever have the benefit of my custom again.

    He is still chairman of the Leith Walk and Constitution Street Traders Association, so I don't think that he's going to be any less vocal come the tram extension removing parking....

    Posted 5 years ago #
  18. Rosie
    Member

    In praise of the tram. Maps comparing former networks vs today's are heartbreaking.

    https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2018/aug/24/in-praise-of-the-tram-britains-lost-network-and-the-future-of-transport

    Posted 5 years ago #
  19. Rosie
    Member

    Bristol in 1939 - trams and bicycles only.

    Posted 5 years ago #
  20. neddie
    Member

    SPOKES response to consultation on support for local businesses:

    http://www.spokes.org.uk/documents/public-transport/tramline-extension-to-leith-newhaven/

    Posted 5 years ago #
  21. neddie
    Member

    Also:

    Three public drop-in events have been organised to share the updated plans*: an exhibition on Tuesday 2 October 2-7pm at Out of the Blue Drill Hall on Dalmeny Street, followed by two 'meet the team' events on Saturday 13 October 12-5pm at Ocean Terminal and on Monday 22 October 2-7pm at McDonald Road Library.

    From:

    http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/news/article/2555/community_invited_to_see_how_their_input_has_shaped_trams_to_newhaven_plans

    *The updated plans for the Tram design (not the plans for arrangements during the works)

    Posted 5 years ago #
  22. neddie
    Member

    Living Streets not happy about allowing cyclists through Kirkgate...

    http://www.livingstreetsedinburgh.org.uk/2018/09/28/walking-campaigners-oppose-use-of-pedestrianised-kirkgate-for-new-cycle-route/

    Posted 5 years ago #
  23. Klaxon
    Member

    Without seeing the plans it is quite hard to comment on if their press release is reasonable

    However there's far more questions about that route than just the suitability of the precinct - the links at the north end are not direct, flat, or intuitive, and lead through an area that would leave many feeling unsafe at night.

    Posted 5 years ago #
  24. rbrtwtmn
    Member

    I've not been keeping up with this so might be talking out of turn (in ignorance) but the Living Streets reply seems eminently sensible to me. Edinburgh, like lots of cities, has been trying to have its cake and eat it... supporting cycling mainly/often by opening up space which was previously only practically of use for walking on. I'm happy to be able to cycle on many of these places - but it's undeniable that some of these spaces have become less good for walking as a result... I want this city to be good for both walking and cycling. There's a point at which those of us who want to see a proper cycling-friendly city need to be saying the same thing as Living Streets. Cycling needs to be supported by taking away space for driving on, not taking away space for walking on.

    Posted 5 years ago #
  25. Klaxon
    Member

    If anyone can make it to the exhibition today and take detailed photos of the plans it would be much appreciated. They don’t appear to be rushing to put them online and I won’t be able to make any

    2-7pm Out of the Blue drill hall

    Posted 5 years ago #
  26. wintermute
    Member

    @Klaxon
    Imgur album
    There is 14 pairs of plans (and old and new one in each pair). They go "backwards", so first one is for Newhaven terminus.
    Cheers

    Posted 5 years ago #
  27. Klaxon
    Member

    Looks like a massive success for Leith Walk with cycle lanes and lots of crossings

    I am particularly keen on the new Elm Row plaza which has been incorrectly labelled by the project as 'old' - dates can be checked by zooming in on the right hand size

    Posted 5 years ago #
  28. crowriver
    Member

    Yes, it's looking good. Wish I'd had the chance to go down and tell them in person!

    Posted 5 years ago #
  29. Morningsider
    Member

    Wow - plans that meet the Council's own transport policies and street design guidance (if you ignore Picardy Place and the Foot of the Walk).

    I'm still intrigued how this ties in with the earlier plans, which formed the basis of the ongoing tendering exercise. The winning contract is due to be signed in less than three months. Construction is due to begin in spring 2019 (according to the Council). Given these revised plans are just being announced, and aren't yet final, what have the four bidders for the contract been designing for the last few months? I reckon it would be a pretty tough call to design, specify and procure everything necessary for several miles of tram network in three or four months.

    Posted 5 years ago #
  30. crowriver
    Member

    "pretty tough call to design, specify and procure everything necessary for several miles of tram network in three or four months."

    The tram layout hasn't really changed, as far as I can tell. It's all the streetscape roundabout that's been improved.

    I think the poles for hanging the cables, and maybe even a fair few lengths of track, were procured during the last phase of building. Certainly they have all the trams required. So the rest is signalling, transformers, bits and bobs of realignment, maybe that's all factored in already. Presume the tram signalling hasn't actually changed?

    Only real changes are variations to determination of the tarmac on carriageway/footway. Also they've re-instated most of the current crossings on Leith Walk so potentially less wastage there. Possibly all budget neutral: same cost to build pavement art segregated cycleway as to build carriageway.

    Posted 5 years ago #

RSS feed for this topic

Reply »

You must log in to post.


Video embedded using Easy Video Embed plugin