This looks promising from an access point of view.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Infrastructure
New access from canal to EICA & Wavegarden
(24 posts)-
Posted 5 years ago #
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There is some more information about Wavegarden from the consultation boards
Posted 5 years ago # -
“At the same time, in building the new path and bridge, any tree loss should be kept to a minimum and should be replaced more than one to one. Now, of all times, is when the world needs more trees.”
I am all for trees but... it's a nice and leafy section of the towpath in summer but turns into horrible mush in autumn/winter. Once a year it gets cleared a bit. My bike stays much cleaner since I avoid and stay more on roads.
Hopefully the ramp will also help with the loose rocks rolling on the towpath.
Posted 5 years ago # -
A ramp would be good. The EICA steps are a slippery nightmare and off-putting to arriving at EICA by bike.
Posted 5 years ago # -
Can't help wondering why CEC is having to build this bridge, rather than the Wavegarden developer?
Posted 5 years ago # -
Ooooft the objector in the nearby Craigpark Estate may well have moved there quite recently. Not sure exactly where he is ‘nearby’ could be anywhere but lot of new buildings in little old Ratho.
Surfers will all come in their Camper Vans - a holiday park wouldn’t work. Should bring revenue for the one shop Ratho has.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Not sure exactly where he is ‘nearby’ could be anywhere but lot of new buildings in little old Ratho.
@gembo yes, the Cala homes on Ratho hill are called 'Craigpark'. They are directly(?) above the Wavegarden.
Should bring revenue for the one shop Ratho has.
I was actually wondering recently why Ratho doesn't have a Scotmid.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Yes @bill, no scotmid (the nearest being at Ratho Station where incidentally the grand HQ of Scotmid UK is located).
Ratho too land that time forgot for a Scotmid or indeed a direct bus to town (ok from time to time they put one on)
However with all the new building surely only matter of time.
Marina nice, Bridge INn. Nice.
Posted 4 years ago # -
@gembo/bill I thought that too about the 'local' in the Cala newbuild. Pot and kettle...
Posted 4 years ago # -
@Murun it is often the newest arrivals who feel the need to not spoil an area despite sitting in a new Cala home themselves. I would have thought this would increase the value of a house but maybe all those dudes and donnies drag down de area
Posted 4 years ago # -
I know that landfill is rightly out of fashion but would the objector prefer the other traditional use of defunct quarries?
Posted 4 years ago # -
At them moment the houses have an open view of West Lothian, Five Sister Bings, Fife, Ochills and on a clear day even the highland peaks (Ben Vorlich, Stuc A'Chroin, Ben Each, Ben More, Stob Binnein, Ben Ledi, Ben Venue -- as per the lookout map). So I can see why they are not overly keen on the area development.
Last night on my way home I stopped to check out some rocks on Tormain Hill. Worth visiting if you are in the area. Also lots and lots of burrows along the path on the northern side of the hillock.
Posted 4 years ago # -
The planning application for this bridge has been submitted, with the access ramp from the canal path has been dropped, as the engineering required to make the gradients be suitable would have been prohibitively expensive:
"As the design progressed following the consultation period, and cost estimates were prepared, it was concluded that the provision of the proposed shared pedestrian/cycle link would be unaffordable and not represent value for money at this time, and following discussion with the principal funder, SUSTRANS, this part of the scheme was removed from the planning application."
Posted 4 years ago # -
“
unaffordable and not represent value for money
“
Based on what criteria?
“at this time”
Are those words wholly superfluous or are they thinking of some sunny uplands?
Posted 4 years ago # -
“
following discussion with the principal funder, SUSTRANS
“
Which of course is part of the problem.
What percentage was the developer expecting to pay?
Posted 4 years ago # -
The canal does cut a steep ravine here. Though kingfishers can be spottted. Might be possible to run a separate path from further back nearer ratho or further on nearer Jupiter? Sustrans good at flat paths. Less good at steep access?
I think it is tricky and sympathise with all sides. Sad for me was Tiso shutting through lack of business. Climbers tighter than cyclists or walkers? Liked having a tiso a beautiful off road cycle away.
Posted 4 years ago # -
“
Scotland’s first artificial surf park – to be created near Ratho – will feature a string of additional features to help it boost the local economy by up to £11 million per year.
“
Posted 4 years ago # -
Talks of canal berths. Will need access from canal then to the waves.
At the cycling hotel (hotel duva) we left our bikes in the locked cages. Although the keys to the cages were accessible. This was the norm but some of the dudes and dudessses kept their bikes in their rooms, not allowed or out on their balconies (staff overlooked this)
So I wonder if canal berth surfer dudes will need access with their actual boards or will just leave them up at the quarry
Anyway it remains to be seen.
Posted 4 years ago # -
The EICA steps are a slippery nightmare and off-putting to arriving at EICA by bike.
I determined today that probably the easiest way to arrive at EICA by bike from Edinburgh is to leave the canal in Ratho village and take the gravel track on the left after the church as you head north out of the village on Baird Road. That track takes you to the service vehicle park out the back of the official car park. Gate-free access all the way (or if there were gates, I failed to notice them because they were wide open).
I vaguely remembered this route from when I was driven along it in order to be given a guided tour of the climbing arena before it officially opened but I wasn't sure until today whether it remained open for use by pedestrians & cyclists.
Alternatively, it appears from Google maps that if you continue for about a mile beyond the off-putting steps then there is a signposted path that heads off to the right and seems to lead round the north side of the big field between the canal and the M8 and again ends up in the service vehicle park.
You still have to manhandle your bike down a flight of steps to access the Sheffield racks outside the EICA reception area, though. Or else potentially risk the wrath of wheelchair or buggy users by riding down the narrow and rather rickety-sounding ramp that hangs over empty space to the side of the main path.
Posted 3 years ago # -
@gembo: Sad for me was Tiso shutting through lack of business. Climbers tighter than cyclists or walkers?
Possibly true. I am frequently astonished at the lengths that some of the participants on a climbing forum I read will go to to avoid spending money on anything other than climbing gear or beer. (Perhaps the amount of space now devoted to Alpine Bikes in the Tiso Outdoor Experience shop in Leith is an indication of the same thing.)
I recently had cause to tot up the cost of replacing all my "soft" climbing gear (slings, ropes etc) because they were all nearing the end of their recommended working life. Over £400 for what are, when it comes down to it, hi-tech bits of string in various configurations!
Posted 3 years ago # -
White elephant?
https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/adventure-parc-snowdonia-cuts-jobs-27630692
“A surf lagoon will cut jobs and close activities after a disappointing summer and a review will take place into the site's future. Adventure Parc Snowdonia opened in 2015 - launching the first commercial inland wave lagoon in the world.
But the wave machine has been dogged with mechanical problems. It relaunched this spring after a malfunction last summer but then broke down again in June.”
Posted 1 year ago # -
I assumed that the "surf park" idea for Ratho had died a death long ago. I recall Portillo making a bit of an exhibition of himself for his railway-focused TV programme (not that unusual) at the Snowdonia one soon after it first opened. It doesn't surprise me that it's turned into a bit of a money pit TBH.
Such facilities make about as much sense to me as indoor "real snow" ski slopes - a number of which in the UK have also folded in the last few years (though I think the ultimate planet-killing one in Dubai is still there, sadly).
Posted 1 year ago # -
@ejstubbs:
I assumed that the "surf park" idea for Ratho had died a death long ago.
It seems I was mistaken: UK's largest inland surf resort under construction
Bit of a punt, given that the Wavegarden "surf park" in Snowdonia is still closed (they still list it on their Wavegardens in Operation web page, which is a bit cheeky IMO - though the link to it on that page is dead).
Then again, what else could ScoGov possibly find to spend £26M of public money on?
Posted 1 year ago #
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