Single deckers are prettier????
They don't block the view of the Castle...
It's not like a double decker is that much taller than a single decker electric bendy-bus on rails
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Infrastructure
Pedestrians 'put first' in Edinburgh city centre plan
(45 posts)-
Posted 14 years ago #
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You'll have noticed the gap that is the city centre of Edinburgh in the "Innertube" cycle map produced by the bike station.
When's there going to be a separate cycle lane on Princes St or at least an official way from east to west through the city centre that is recognised by dirvers and cyclists alike?
Posted 14 years ago # -
It's not like a double decker is that much taller than a single decker electric bendy-bus on rails.
I was at the Light Rail Transit Association meeting yesterday about the trams. Alaistair Richards did acknowledge the fair height of the stock, compared with double decker buses, but didn't make any reference to the recent plans to restrict Princes St to single deck buses.
It was a fairly technical meeting, but there was no mention at the meeting of other road users or pedestrian safety, and didn't present much of the bus vs. trams debate. Lots of news though about Gogar depot, the development constraints from utilities and former land use (such as landfill needing compressed and stabilised) and future testing.
Posted 14 years ago # -
The "latest" from EEN
Consultation to happen in next 3 months.
Pavement on north side of George St to be widened.
Some of the parking to be removed from George St in order to create a performance space with seating.No mention of cycling.
Posted 14 years ago # -
"Pavement on north side of George St to be widened"
You sure??
ENews says "widening of the footpath at the north side of George Street"
Must be right!!!
Posted 14 years ago # -
Have I read this right - the performance space and seating would be inbetween the lanes of traffic on George Street? Even if the performance space was situated to one side and traffic routed around it I can't imagine it would be very pleasent (or performances audible).
Certainly interested in this consultation and what it has to say about cycling.
Posted 14 years ago # -
Im skeptical about the performance space too, These things tend to occur naturally through a combination of space, noise, sightlines and most importantly footfall.
the best places are large pedestrian plaza's, i.e. the royal mile.
Posted 14 years ago # -
Yeah, not a fan of a dedicated performance space with seating, which would take away from the idea of an open plaza. I can only assume they'd close the road for that, but what that does for buses, who knows.
I suspect the article is a bit of a garbled EEN summary, picking out highlights from options that may be mutually exclusive, so I'll wait and see what the consultation says.
It'll be worth keeping an eye out for the consultation and making sure there are plenty of responses in favour of cycle-friendly features.
Posted 14 years ago # -
Posted 14 years ago #
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Oh for crying out loud, the continuing myth that removing traffic means that people won't come to shop. Because of course the reason people shop on Princes Street is because there are constant buses rumbling past. Of course people wouldn't want to come and shop if it was peaceful and quiet and clear-aired and pleasant. Only a numpty would think that people want to walk around perusing shops were it is nice.
I despair. I really do.
Posted 14 years ago # -
Some sanity from Kelvin Donaldson, director of Grassmarket architects Gilberts at the end though:
He said: "City centres can never compete with out-of-town retail on accessibility or convenience, but can offer a far greater amenity and character and with that, quality. It does need investment, however."
Posted 14 years ago # -
and what about the massively under-utilized parking garages?
Posted 14 years ago # -
From where I'm sitting at the moment the city centre is much more accessible and convenient than the nearest out-of-town development. Perhaps if I drove to work I'd feel differently.
Then again, when the tram's completed I could use it to pop out to the Gyle at lunchtime if I need to buy a birthday card or a sandwich or something.
Posted 14 years ago # -
"From where I'm sitting at the moment the city centre is much more accessible and convenient than the nearest out-of-town development."
Well yes, It's all about the 'perception' that bus users (and cyclists) are too poor to spend money.
The fact that if more people sold their cars/used them less they'd have more money to spend...
I bet most people don't visit Oxford Street (London) by car.
One of the 'justifications' for the tram was that it was the 'only way' to get 'people' (aka middle-age men) out of their cars.
Apart from the questionable justification for pandering to (and spending money on) the car bound, this is so not Edinburgh. Edinburghers are significant bus users compared with most parts of the UK - not just people too 'poor' to own cars.
It is unfortunate that there is no simple answer to providing a good bus service without using Princes Street - however using a bus in rush hour that goes along P St. hardly counts as 'good service'.
Another reason for the tram was the idea that the tram would replace buses between Haymarket and the East End. This idea was not popular and has (probably) been dropped.
Another reason for the tram being 'viable' in a journey time/usage sense is that it wouldn't stop in many places.
It would be possible to significantly reduce the number of bus stops in P St. (or George Street - if they were re-routed) but that would not be popular with users, who may or may not spend money with members of the Federation of Small Businesses.
Not that shopping should be seen as the main reason for altering (or not) the city centre!
Posted 14 years ago # -
Letter by Jenny Dawe to The Scotsman on this subject:
http://news.scotsman.com/edinburgh/Letter-Central-question.6738019.jp
Posted 14 years ago #
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