"I know it's had bad press ... but I found it very usable"
Gaslit by the man in charge of the city's transport. You'd never know that it has many critical failings vs national guidance.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » General Edinburgh
Scott Arthur Latest
(1432 posts)- Started 2 years ago by chdot
- Latest reply from chdot
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Posted 2 years ago #
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The measure of any new cycle infrastructure should never be whether existing, experienced cyclists find it "useable". If that is the measure then Lothian Road is useable, St. John's Road is useable, the A702 is useable...
Millions of pounds have been spent on creating cycle lanes that don't even meet the basic criteria of being clear, continuous and direct. They bring cyclists and pedestrians into direct conflict, especially at junctions where the lanes simply peter out.
Is this for the benefit of the administration's new media pals? "Look at how ungrateful these cyclists are, even when we give them this!"
Posted 2 years ago # -
Welp, I don't like being right, but the only joy I get in this case is being able to smugly declare: knew it, just knew it. Almost every single tweet the man makes is "we're looking into X/investigating Y/I'd love to do Z...BUT SG budget cuts SG budget cuts SG budget cuts". People tweet "if thing is underfunded, why not tourist tax/WPL/more ticketing enforcement" and his response is always "yes you're absolutely right SG budget cuts have ruined everything" while smoothly skating passed the suggestions for the council to get on and fix the problem itself.
It's gonna be a long five years.
Posted 2 years ago # -
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Good progress on the Public Transport Action Plan this week. It looks likely to include:
Creation of an actual tram network, the next line will have more capacity than the current route.
More bus priority measures inside Edinburgh (inc smart traffic lights).
“
https://twitter.com/cllrscottarthur/status/1550764481738948609
Thread
Posted 2 years ago # -
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No, we need to reduce parking.
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https://mobile.twitter.com/cllrscottarthur/status/1551288786839027716
Posted 2 years ago # -
You know the one thing transport in Edinburgh, and Scotland, does not need?
More plans.
It doesn't matter what these plans say. I have seen plans for an Edinburgh metro system, plans for a city-wide network of cycle routes, plans to remove traffic from Princes Street, plans for a new high speed rail link between Edinburgh and Glasgow. A major transport proposal set out in a plan seems far more likely not to happen than actually become a reality. The only major Edinburgh public transport scheme to see the light of day in my lifetime has been the tram.
Also - hoping that "smart traffic lights" will solve bus delays is effectively magical thinking. Research shows:
At present, the bus priority at traffic signals is mainly aimed at reducing bus delays as a result of the traffic signal timings. Ideally the combination of segregated priority and priority at traffic signals should give buses a relatively clear run along their route. With very few exceptions, this is not widely the case, due to varying degrees of traffic congestion. The normal operation of bus priority at traffic signals does not solve the congestion problem, which is often more severe for buses than the delays caused by signal aspects. Solving the congestion problem requires other measures, such as more bus-only roads/lanes, demand management, and/or strategies for congestion management for buses, requiring integrated segregation and real-time UTC strategies.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Posted 2 years ago #
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“You know the one thing transport in Edinburgh, and Scotland, does not need?
More plans.“
Very true.
In a wider context, how about MORE SLOGANS?
“growth, growth and growth”
Posted 2 years ago # -
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Other world cities are ahead of us on this journey. I am not proud of that, but it does mean we can learn from them... and we will in our drive to hit net zero.
In 12 months we'll have a circulation plan built in partnership with residents & employers.
“
https://twitter.com/cllrscottarthur/status/1550789740600991754
Posted 2 years ago # -
Right, so any transport project or programme should meet the requirements of:
1. National Transport Strategy 2
2. Regional Transport Strategy
3. City Mobility Plan
4. Active Travel Action Plan
5. Public Transport Action Plan
6. City Parking Strategy
7. Circulation PlanGiven the links between transport and land use planning, projects will also have to take account of policies set out in:
8. National Planning Framework
9. Regional Spatial Strategy
10. Local Development Plan
11. Any relevant Local Place PlanSome of these are statutory plans. Some are non-statutory and their status is unclear. Plans are produced by at least four different bodies, at different times and subject to differing approval processes and review schedules.
In what way is this a sensible approach?
Posted 2 years ago # -
In short -
‘Nothing can really be done unless it’s a BIG transport project - even they are subject to substantial delays, or developers’ dreams which they will eventually get planning permission for as any opposition eventually fades!
Yes I know “developers’ dreams” aren’t “transport projects’, but they sure affect them!
Posted 2 years ago # -
To add to this - Birmingham's plan, magpied from Ghent allegedly, was launched on Jan 13 2020, as per Brave Sir Arthur (Not Really)'s link. Not adopted by Birmingham Council's cabinet until 12th October 2021 (after 'further consultation', natch).
I call it just a ploy to ensure BSA(NR) never has to, y'know, actually be responsible for delivering anything during his 'tenure' that wasn't baked in under the previous administration.
Posted 2 years ago # -
“during his 'tenure' “
Isn’t the “three months” up yet??
Posted 2 years ago # -
Oh, he's not going to be letting go of the transport baton.
Posted 2 years ago # -
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My request for improvements (ped crossing / traffic lights) at that junction was declined - late 2020 IIRC. I promised a resident I'd look at it again after the school holidays.
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https://mobile.twitter.com/cllrscottarthur/status/1554500277285396482
Posted 2 years ago # -
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1. Despite everything that has been thrown at it, this project remains on time & within budget.
2. Those involved with the project are 100% committed to things staying that way.
3. Before the project is complete, I will table plans for the next line.“
https://twitter.com/cllrscottarthur/status/1554862250594271232
Posted 2 years ago # -
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Don't worry, I hope to link this to the launch of the Public Transport Action Plan. ;-)
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https://mobile.twitter.com/cllrscottarthur/status/1555851559006781441
Posted 2 years ago # -
A mural of our great and revered Transport Convener.
https://twitter.com/EdinReporter/status/1556773226067374080?
Posted 2 years ago # -
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One of them is the city’s Transport and Environment Convener, Cllr Scott Arthur, who said his portrait was added as a thank you for pulling strings within the council to bring the 15-metre mural to the bridge.
“
Any else thinking Carly Simon?
Posted 2 years ago # -
@chdot: Cllr Scott Arthur ... said his portrait was added as a thank you for pulling strings within the council to bring the 15-metre mural to the bridge.
So nothing to do with his contributions to improving transport infrastructure within the city, then. (Has he actually made any yet?)
And obviously him being part of the mural was in no way a condition for the mural being permitted.
Could one of the graffiti artists who enliven the walls along Calton Road be persuaded to move on to a new canvas temporarily?
Posted 2 years ago # -
“Has he actually made any yet?“
Well apart from the new doctrine of ‘ask the locals if the mind being inconvenienced’, ANYTHING new will have been planned before he grabbed the job.
Has he mentioned the words “interim Convenor” lately?
FIRST T&E of new administration next week.
Various Cllrs waiting to see what happens…
Arrogance and self belief only go so far when you are in a minority.
Posted 2 years ago # -
A decision that is both vain and poor politics. The Councillor should have nominated a Ukrainian refugee (or similar worthy new city resident) to have their face added to the mural.
Posted 2 years ago # -
appalling optics
Posted 2 years ago # -
He’s a pro.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Cringe measured in the megatons...
Posted 2 years ago # -
Posted 2 years ago #
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We are taking CCWEL from plans to reality!
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https://twitter.com/CllrScottArthur/status/1557088137846849540
Posted 2 years ago # -
Path designed to blend in so effectively will be shared use - that seems to be the view. Looks neat in a bijoux cycle facility way. If bollards aren't put in all the lovely tiles will get cracked. In Leith the surface is poorly laid tar so vehicles can't degrade as much.
Posted 2 years ago # -
"Path designed to blend in so effectively will be shared use"
which means fast /confident riders won't use it and we'll be subjected to 'cyclists not using lane" stories
Posted 2 years ago # -
Much of Edinburgh's disjointed bike infra is purely there as proof that we are a most ungrateful, moaning self interest group ;-)
It's actually amazing how many different ways planners design a junction. Other cities do the double hit of protected infra and paint to make sure it looks like it's a route.
Most drivers know nothing of when a pavement is a cycle path and vice versa.
What they do know is that wide pavements = extra parking. That's why we need comprehensive 'bollardisation'.Posted 2 years ago #
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