https://www.waterofleith.org.uk/blog/2023/04/walkway-resurfacing-work-continues/
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Infrastructure
WoL Path Resurfacing
(105 posts)-
Posted 1 year ago #
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The path is closed for a short section just west of the bypass, the diversion is through the houses and involves a set of steps. I saw a guy struggling to get his loaded ebike up the steps.
Posted 1 year ago # -
The bit at Juni is half finished, the rocks at Kinauld are a pain. The second last exit, the one before the end is being remodeled. Apart from this it is pretty awesome.
Use it now before the motorbike gangs cause chicanes
Posted 1 year ago # -
@redmist: I encountered that closure yesterday, heading towards town. I don't recall any advance warning of it. As you say, the diversion goes up a longish set of steep steps. I was also on my eMTB and didn't fancy lugging it up those steps, so I turned round and cycled back as far as the nasty, steep path to the east side of the 'gated community' which occupies the old Juniper Green station site, engaged turbo mode and headed resignedly up to Lanark Road. Being unfamiliar with the area I cruised carefully up the outside of the massive eastbound tailback of traffic until I spotted the entrance to a path on the right. This turned out to lead through Dr Mackay's Wood (no, me neither, but there was a sign announcing it) and deposited me - via another, gentler step of steps which fortunately I was able to ride down - onto Woodhall Millbrae, from where I was able to access the WoL path again.
All the signage either side of the blocked section of path was about what pedestrians should do to get round it - there was no guidance offered for cyclists (or horse riders). If I'd been on my gravel bike it would have been a lot more hassle.
The coarse grade hardcore which I encountered further west is b awful (I can imagine it's not that much fun to walk on, either). Manageable on the eMTB with 2.8" tyres but still disconcertingly loose in places. Some whin dust appeared to have been spread where the path passes the old Kinleith Mill site but it seemed to be getting worn/washed away pretty quickly. I sincerely hope that the intention is not for that surface to be left to "bed in". ISTR that similar coarse hardcore was laid along Rocheid Path (the one near the Botanics) a number of years back: I found that pretty much unridable for a good 12 months or more after it was laid, on my non-e hardtail with narrower tyres.
Oh, and for some reason a trench has been dug across the end of the path where it joins West Mill Road. It's barriered off leaving a gap just wide enough for one person to walk or ride through. Nice.
Posted 1 year ago # -
The path closure at Woodhall Millbrae is still in place but now you don't have the option to rejoin the path via the steps. You're really better off climbing up to the main road and returning to the path from the side of Just Bike Repairs or the path down the side of the church.
Posted 1 year ago # -
High speed video -
Posted 1 year ago # -
Heading west from town, last night even after diverting through the houses just after the bypass I met HERAS fencing. Tonight it was a little unclear but I went up the side of the bypass and through Juni green that way.
Interesting to see how it gets laid. Given it is now miles and miles of flexipave very few errors. It is a great surface to cycle on and my commute is way better than the road.
Posted 1 year ago # -
I can't believe it's just two operatives on their hands and knees putting it down with buckets and spades. Seriously? Surely there's a machine that can do it more quickly and more uniformly?
Posted 1 year ago # -
Been watching them lay new cycle path along West Coats/Haymarket Terrace, and that was also being done with buckets and spades.
The new road tarmac is beautifully smooth and the cycle path is bumpy. It's almost like they're deliberately doing a poor job.
Posted 1 year ago # -
I suspect the problem is simply that the council refuse to mandate machine-laying of cycle paths in the specification for the job, so the firms have no incentive to pay the capital outlay for the necessary equipment when they can just keep bidding low and having a couple of workies scrub about on their hands & knees.
Posted 1 year ago # -
I suspect it's more mundane - they've simply specified the cycle paths at, or below, minimum width and therefore they can't get the machines in.
All because... the "need" to preserve space for cars, both moving and stationary
Posted 1 year ago # -
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Still diversions contractor is due to finish Bypass to Baberton Loan section on the 23rd.
Next section of closure will be from Blinkbonny Road to Baberton Loan . This will be for a period of 1 -2 weeks depending on progress.
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https://twitter.com/wolct/status/1659820117172051969?
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Thanks. It was all quite manageable. Not too long a stretch of Lanark Road to divert onto.
Not that I enjoyed carrying the bike up the stairs on the way back
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Posted 1 year ago # -
The path is still closed between the ramp up to Just Bike Repairs and Woodhall Millbrae.
I'm not sure about other work but in this case its a team of guys with mini digger, roller etc. Also the only width restriction is the width of the old railway line it all runs along.Posted 1 year ago # -
Open now as far as the Just Bikes Ramp
I think given some lost cyclists looking to get bac’ on, it is closed further west?
Posted 1 year ago # -
I was one of those lost cyclists. It's now closed about level with Kinleith Mill Bridge.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Once its done right up to Balerno will the roadies heading out of town use it rather than Lanark Rd ? I would.
Posted 1 year ago # -
I guess it'll be similar to the NEPN. Early enough in the day before there's a lot of dog walkers about it'll likely be a route of choice. However when it's busy or covered in leaves less so.
Posted 1 year ago # -
I went up on Monday for the first time in months. Thats a great surface just irritating that they wasted the money doing the work last year with a surface that everyone told them wouldn't last the winter.
Posted 1 year ago # -
I'm quite looking forward to getting the kids on there with the scooters and roller skates. I've only tried it once lower down and thought it was strangely lumpy considering it's now a two year, 2nd attempt project. It's like the surface is sound, but not properly levelled
Posted 1 year ago # -
Yes a bit bumpy in places but still fab
Goes up to Kinauld Mill now My mate tonight went through the new houses to try to get back on.
Will here back how he fared
He has scouts to take to KrisPY Kreme
Posted 1 year ago # -
Yeah I tried that last week, got a little lost but just kept riding through folks driveways till I found the path again!
I'm really not sure how it can be so lumpy its so thick and the weight of the machines packing it down, the underlying path shouldn't make any difference
Posted 1 year ago # -
Took a trip up the closed sections beyond Kinauld Mill Village
Required going up onto country footpath, some stingin nettles then back down
Definitely coming down from Balerno to meet the Kinauld section
Also steps near me being turned into ramp access Bit steep
Nota Bene beyond Colinton towards town some lads or vigilantes have used the HERAS that has just been left around to form a fake closure, you can get round it, totally fake.
Posted 1 year ago # -
I got properly lost this evening. Going out there is a random bit of fence just after the path from Lanark Road which I ignored. Got to the Kinauld section assumed more of the same and ended up stuck in the estate. After a going up a set of steps back on to the WOL path it turned out there was a second closed section. I gave up and went the road to Currie kirk.
Coming back I came off at Currie kirk and tried to rejoin the path at Blinkbonny road. Instead of going into teh estate I ended up following the road and then a path through to Woodhall. Eventually got back to the WOL path at Colinton!
Posted 1 year ago # -
@steveo yes I think I know where you went wrong as I went up the same steps at Kinauld and also came across the further closed bit. I asked some lads if it was really closed they said Dunno. I then went up a wee path maybe even the start of the poets Glen but then immediately turned west over a wee bridge which after some pushing and nettles and lifting bike ended on a wee path that I felt would return me to the WoL path and just about got there when some piled up HERAS stopped me getting back on to path. I retraced my steps maybe fifty yards and met my pal Stu also on same route we pushed down onto path and was all plain sailing to Balerno, path has no asjplhalt yet but has been prepped. Gonna be great and finished in a few weeks bumpy the look except my e the wee bit at Colinton which when they close has no possible diversions, I am a bit tingly from nettle stings is my only issue.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Haha, I went up to and over that bridge then decided on discretion and retreated back!
Posted 1 year ago # -
SO
Whoever is ‘in charge’ of this is doing NOTHING to sign alternative routes??
Posted 1 year ago # -
There is a wee barrier saying path closed
The boys who told me Dunno did also appear later on having circumnavigated the HERAS
Then ironically some pranksters have set up a fake HERAS detour with stuff the actual organizers have left lying around.
All possible diversions will involve a flight of steps and/or nettles.
Even on my nettle path I stopped and got out of the way of a couple of kids on bikes and their mums behind them. The shut path is being well used but for non locals I would aim for his Mattness at Juni Green just now. Cafes etc abound canal back via Barberton?
Posted 1 year ago # -
A dog walker I was speaking to managed to get round the barriers in the (very dry) drainage ditch but I didn't fancy wrestling the bike through them and over the feet of the heras fences.
All possible diversions will involve a flight of steps and/or nettles.
Or the main road!
Hopefully this lasts and we don't need this faff again every couple of years.
Posted 1 year ago # -
The fake closure has been dismantled. Last night I went up to just before Kinauld new brick house village and took steps up the road through blinkbonny and back down Kirk brae and back onto path at the engine shed/international design centre/actually just a nice big house now after Currie Kirk and continued on my merrie way. Chuckies get a bit big again at Balerno but the road roller has been out.
Posted 1 year ago # -
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Resurfacing is continuing apace now around 1/2 mile upstream of Currie Kirk. Walkers might be able to pass along the river side but bike and horses will not to please divert onto the Lanark Road between Waulkmill loan / Kirkgate.
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Posted 1 year ago #
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