Productive two hour meeting today.
First hour was all about signage around the FRB area, snagging issues and concerns being addressed by AMEY / SUSTRANS ongoing, so I didn't take specific notes about that.
My rough unofficial notes below are all from the second hour of discussion.
Current contractor projects (main cable inspection, truss replacement etc) are winding down and due to finish September 2018.
Thereafter one further major project will commence to replace joints at the main towers, and this will run until Summer 2019.
This project will necessitate closure of one cycleway throughout, therefore existing closure will remain in place.
(West side closure began when it was noted statistically that there were far more incidents on west cycleway than on east.
Also issue with cyclists bombing down from Echeline straight onto west cycleway without checking out the junction from the underpass.)
We'll be switching from east cycleway to west cycleway, probably from this September onward.
AMEY are genuinely interested in our ideas for improving access to cycleways at south end of bridge, particularly west side.
Its a tight fit but it might be possible to install a toucan crossing similar to the one on the north end of bridge.
FETA were keen to consider opening a lane on the main carriageway to cyclists, leaving the existing paths for pedestrian use. This was knocked back by Transport Scotland at the time, however from FRB management point of view, they remain open-minded about this option returning to the table.
DISMOUNT signage is due to previous legal opinion reflecting negligence in inadequate advisory signage that resulted in litigation against FETA following a cyclist crash, a few years ago now.
Contractors are repeatedly advised by management not to expect cyclists to comply with dismount signage, and that they must continually look for cyclists making progress on the path. Contractors in vehicles are expected to pull in to allow cyclists to pass. Contractors who repeatedly ignore these expectations are removed from the site.
AMEY's main concern from our side is cyclist speed. We are respectfully encouraged to adhere to the 15mph limit. There's no particular area on the bridge that this applies, but notably the north end bus stop blind corner has seen five significant cyclist incidents over past two years.
After summer 2019 we will see a significant reduction in contractors and associated obstructions.
By August 2018 we'll have four digital signage 'totem poles' at each cycleway access point, east and west side, north and south end, and also a fifth additional one at the car park. These will have updated info for peds/cyclists and also a MMW style counter of number of cyclists passing by.
Regrettably I neglected to bring up the possibility of reducing vehicle traffic on cycleway prior to 9am, to allow commuting cyclists less hold ups and friction, however will discuss this at next meeting, as these liaison meetings are intended to continue ongoing.
That said, I'm more than happy to rotate our ongoing attendance among other regular FRB commuters on the forum, so if you are interested give me a shout.
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