CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Debate!

Proposed Mountainbike Centre on Arthur's Seat

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  1. Mabs
    Member

    Evening all.
    Now don't get too excited ;) The title relates to a Hypothetical Case Study on which I am requiring some feedback.

    At the moment I am in first year of a degree in Sustainable Environmental Management. For the graded unit we have to carry out an Environmental Impact Assessment into a proposed mountain bike/cafe centre, chair lift (up to top) and a track that goes a fair bit around Arthur's Seat, Winny Hill etc. The brief from the survey states:
    * 3 international level mountain bike tracks taking in some of the most challenging sections of the Arthur’s Seat area.
    * A sustainable and environmentally friendly information centre, café and event venue at the centre of the recreation area (summit area of Arthur’s Seat).
    * A chair/bike lift to enable all abilities access to the information centre and the stunning views of the world famous Edinburgh skyline
    * A ground-breaking power generation system for the complex via wind turbine and photovoltaic cells integrated within the information centre.
    * Construction of a new carpark.

    I must add that the 'ground breaking power generation' is a load of BS as the turbine would be around 1.5kw.
    Anyway.

    Clearly a wild idea due to the highly significant geological and archaeological aspects of the site not forgetting the ecological importance but none the less a large and professional report must be produced.

    A questionairre has been submitted around the SAC as they want to keep it all internal however I'd like some quaranteed responses from cyclists.

    It consists of 20 questions and I'd be most greatful if any of you fine folks would be able to fill it out.

    If you are willing to or even want more information on the assignment then please PM with your e-mail address and I'll e-mail the information over.

    Many thanks

    Michael.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  2. kaputnik
    Moderator

    My answers are entirely hypothetical (consider it constructive feedback, or put it in the bin, it's up to you). Here are some points I would consider if I were in your place;

    * how does mountain biking *actually* help the environment? (does it?)
    * how does hard landscaping Arthur's Seat or any other mountain/natural system help the environment? (again, does it, or does it do the opposite?)
    * not that I'm one to stereotype (I am) but places like Glentress etc. seem to be places that you strap your downhill assault vehicles to your Audi/BMW 4x4 and drive to. Why build another car park (there are already 3 or 4 there) that only encourages people to drive there from afar over local use?
    * where does the power come from when the wind turbine doesn't do the job (PV cells never will)?
    * you can already drive most of the way up Arthur's Seat - surely you can also cycle that bit and push the bike the rest of the way. Why a cycle lift?

    I'm not trying to be difficult, perhaps just realistic. I just think that it seems a bit like a trick question as there doesn't seem to be an outcome that isn't retrograde to the current environmental situation. At least it's currently protected from hard development by Historic Scotland's Neanderthal attitude to anything at all.

    As we all know, the best way to improve Arthur's Seat would be by shutting it to through traffic and restricting car parking to those that really need it and turning the roads into cycle tracks for all sorts of bicycles, not just MTBs.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  3. Dave
    Member

    I'll fill it in for you, although I share the same misgivings ;-)

    Posted 13 years ago #

  4. Mabs
    Member

    I forgot to add our brief is to advise Historic Scotland (they've hired us) and give them the final result

    I feel they perhaps should have given us a project that didn't have such a clear cut result as we all know what the outcome will be.

    Thanks for the post Kaputnik. Not difficult at all and you've covered many valid points which I feel the same about.
    I really am hoping that everyone who answers is against it as to be for such a destructive scheme would be lunacy.

    I popped there on Sunday for a walk and I was shocked at how many folk were there. People.. everywhere!

    Posted 13 years ago #

  5. Morningsider
    Member

    Hi Mabs

    Not an answer to your questionnaire, but you might want to consider tha fact that Arthur's Seat is:

    1. A Scheduled Monument
    2. Designated Landscape
    3. Green Belt
    4. Area of Great Landscape Value
    5. Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)
    6. Designated open space in the Edinburgh City Local Plan

    I honestly doubt there is an area of land in Scotland with more statutory protection from development than this.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  6. SRD
    Moderator

    The pentlands -- say if the ski centre were to close as regularly forecast -- would make a more plausible case. Or the land up near the zoo that they want to turn into housing, but can't get permission for.

    Even for a first year assignment this seems overly-determined and simplistic!

    Posted 13 years ago #

  7. Dave
    Member

    Morningsider - you forgot "Primary Distributor Road" as well...

    Posted 13 years ago #

  8. TwoWheels
    Member

    I just PM'ed you. If you want the foreign perspective, that is.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  9. Nelly
    Member

    @Mabs - happy to help, PM with email address en route.

    @SRD - Hillend ski slope - good shout. Where we go skiing each year to the Alps, they diversify by using the chairlifts as bike uplift in the summer - they need some extra kit for each chair, but I understand its not major.

    Long and short is that they utilise an area and infrastructure/utilities which are already in place(thereby not having to build more paths / infrastructure which ruins more of the areas natural beauty.

    Have not been out in the summer myself, but MTB brings much needed additional income in the non-snow months.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  10. cb
    Member

    There was a downhill track there for a while:

    http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2743#post-29172

    I read an article in some local Edinburgh mag recently (Dr. Surgery waiting room material) about Hillend. They have plans to possible reopen the big dog leg downhill (ski) run, there may have been talk of looking at accomodating bikes again, but I can't remember now. I'll check next time I'm at the doctor!

    Posted 13 years ago #

  11. Wilmington's Cow
    Member

    When I first moved here 11 years ago a mountain bike route in the Pentlands from the top of the ski lift had just closed. Bad weather had trashed the trails and they decided not to renew them. If ever there was a source of cash for the ski slope it would be to reinstate the trails and charge for bike lift use. I'd do it!

    Posted 13 years ago #

  12. Nelly
    Member

    I suppose the only slght negative on the Hillend proposal is that it wouldnt be that long a run - unless my memory is failing me.

    I suppose there is the possiblity of it opening out access to other runs - must be loads of fun to be had at that golf course, surely - I played there once, its like the north face of the Eiger !!

    Posted 13 years ago #

  13. cb
    Member

    Bab, posted the wrong link up there ^^^. Google it!

    Posted 13 years ago #

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