Came along Seafield yesterday and noticed work has started on the shared use path on the north side of the road - roughly between the Cremetorium and the kink in the road over the railway.
They are basically doubling the width of the pavement on that side. Not sure what the plans are for the sections before and after? I vaguely remeber something about improving the link with Leith Links - which currently is completely imparactical with steps at either end...
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Infrastructure
Seafield infrastructure
(26 posts)-
Posted 13 years ago #
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When running we used to avoid the Leith Links steps at the cemetery end, never mind with a bike!
Posted 13 years ago # -
"Came along Seafield yesterday and noticed work has started on the shared use path on the north side of the road"
GREAT
Bit of background -
http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3486
Perhaps this will make it easier for councillors to reverse nonsense decision to halt (I mean 'delay') similar plan around the Botanics - http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3547
Posted 13 years ago # -
Seems I'm behind the times.
Really was a delay.
Go-ahead given at September committee meeting!
Posted 13 years ago # -
Good news! Leith Links to Seafield path to have proper ramps installed, have the undergrowth cleared, surface tarmacced, streetlighting put in and to connect to a shared use pavement path to join with Portobello Prom.
Boot time!
Posted 12 years ago # -
From the illustration it would imply that the bridge is being widened, too. As long as they improve the drainage at the east end it'll do as it is.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Path has been widened on the north side but remains unfinished in terms of a section of surface at the east end and complete lack of signage. No sign of any workmen for weeks....
Posted 12 years ago # -
Yeah, we noticed that the other day. When they had first started they had put the wider walkway kerb in before raising the level of the road to match the existing pavement. It looked like a proper segrated 'this is the cycle path; this is the pavement' route. Pity it was then rendered shared use.
The lack of signs is annoying as well. There's no clear indication of where the sharedness starts and ends. And over the east side of the Bridge is still going to be narrow, with street furniture in the way...
Posted 12 years ago # -
Used the widened bit of pavement after slithering off the Seafield railway path weekend before last. Agree it was completely ambiguous as to whether it was finished and whether you were "allowed" to ride there, but it was nice while it lasted. The bridge is still a bad pinch point, and getting on to it from end of that little road that used to lead into the Eastern General isn't that easy.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Bit of an observation, at some point between last week and this a flat access has been built from the cycle path onto Seafield Street. Just need to finish off the widening between the railway bridge to the promenade to complete the links between Easter Road and Portobello :-)
Posted 12 years ago # -
"flat access has been built from the cycle path onto Seafield Street"
Yes, and not many people have used it - fencing put back just after I rode in!
"Just need to finish off the widening between the railway bridge"
Unfortunately I don't think that's part of the plan - 'road not wide enough'.
This has been done though
Posted 12 years ago # -
Posted 12 years ago # -
I wondered where that exit was for a moment in the absence of bridge abutment remains or big blue buildings opposite. I hope the lights can sense the presence of cyclists approaching from Seafield Street.
Shared use signs not back up on the pavement yet, which possibly explains the disinclination of a pair of wanderers to allow me past with the boy last weekend, even after politely dinging and requesting to be excused.
Posted 12 years ago # -
'road not wide enough'.
Nonsense! There's still a big wide central reservation that could be removed, perhaps if the limit was dipped to 30 up to the Promenade turn off. Alternatively you could just extend the path out towards the sea!
Was it yesterday you saw the workmen reinstating the fence? Did you ask when it will be removed? Because if they're waiting for a ribbon cutting then it's quite insulting :/
Posted 12 years ago # -
Now that I know the slip is there I was able to use it this morning and there is indeed no fence hindering the way. Wasn't paying any attention on Friday other than 'oh, that's nice' (having walked up the steps) and carried on at full speed up the hill.
Posted 12 years ago # -
"I was able to use it this morning and there is indeed no fence hindering the way"
That's good to know.
Sorry didn't answer your questions.
It was Thursday and guy said "end of the month" - which effectively meant Friday!
Posted 12 years ago # -
Despite the picture, I cannot picture how the new link fits in. I shall have to go find it and try it out. Not this week though if weatherman to be believed.
Posted 12 years ago # -
This could be very handy. Will check it out at the earliest opportunity!
Posted 12 years ago # -
Roughly here -
Posted 12 years ago # -
Took a spin down that way this afternoon, braving the Baltic breeze. Very quick and convenient to get to Seafield Strret now, which is great. The surface of the widened shared use path on Seafield Road is great too, up to the bridge.
Minus points:
- Ped crossing at corner of Seafield Street/Seafield Road not toucanised.
- About 3 metres of the Seafield Road path has inexplicably not had the top surfacing done. Maybe they plan to move the crossing? Or maybe utility works need to be done? Either way, odd.
- No shared use signs on the new stretch of path along Seafield Road.
- The path on the bridge itself is still bumpy and a bit narrow.
- After the bridge, the surface is the same old one, dug up to lay cables, pipes, etc. several times and bumpy.
- The corner where Seafield Road turns south east just before Portobello is terrible. The path is very narrow, bumpy, and patly obstructed by the sign posts holding the big 'go this way' chevron signs behind the crash barrier. That really needs to be sorted out!
- Still stupid chicanes at the Easter Road terminus of the path, just after the entrance to Leith Academy car park/yard. Very nearly too narrow to get an ordinary bike through, even when dismounted. These should be removed/made wider.
- Dog walkers and the dog poo quite prevalent along the Lochend-Seafield path. The owners/walkers invariably scowl at cyclists as though we have no right to be on the path. It's as though they can't conceive that the path might have been resurfaced for anyone other than themselves.Posted 12 years ago # -
There are restrictions signs up around the junction so a remodelling might be on the cards.
A couple more niggles:
> Exit from the Lochend path to Hawkhill Ave is a silly wheelchair friendly zigzag affair that dumps you onto a narrow footpath
> The bottom 1/4 towards Seafield St, and I think from Hawkhill Ave to Easter Road (though I've not cycled it) is inexplicably not lit when the rest is
That and when I was scouting the route a couple of weeks ago an unleashed bullmastif (or similar) stopped me by running ahead, tried to bite my arm and then when I made a prompt getaway chased me up the hill trying to knock me off the bike.
Posted 12 years ago # -
@Klaxon, yeah the dog walkers are clearly not expecting / don't give a toss about cyclists so let their dogs off the lead. Luckily the assorted Alsatians, Dobermans, bull terriers, etc. were kept under control sufficiently as I passed.
Once the path is completed and more cyclists start using it I reckon the local dog walkers are in for a shock.
Posted 12 years ago # -
"
Realtime Travel News (@edintravel)
4/4/12 11:35 AM
Seafield Road - off-peak carriageway works with temp traffic lights at Seafield Street. Lengthy queues in the area #edintravel
"
Posted 12 years ago # -
Took No.1 son on the tagalong to test out the new Lochend to Portobello link. Path was quiet, due to the intermittent light drizzle no doubt. Crossing at Seafield Street seems to have been sorted out now, new dropped kerb for peds which we used when we were on green to access the Seafield shared use path.
We were not in a rush, but I have to say it's a fairly stress free way of getting to Porty promenade. London Road/Portobello Road may be quicker as more direct, but you really need to keep your wits about you.
I chatted about it with my son and we've decided we'll use the path as our route for the weekly run to Porty in preference to the main road on the way there. Might use it on the way back too.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Well I have to say now that I'm converted to segregated infrastructure. Especially for transporting children. It was actually a pleasure to cycle with No.1 son on his tagalong to Portobello today (despite the light rain and surface spray). We used the Lochend-Seafield path, and then along the shared use Seafield Road path all the way into Porty. Same route on way back.
Only had a short stretch on Easter Road/Albion Road where we had to mix it with traffic. Sure takes the stress out of cycling: you can just enjoy the ride without worrying about some numpty trying to overtake at a traffic island, or an HGV sitting at the lights. That reminds me, only two sets of signals to be delayed by, rather than five (six if you include pelicans) going via London Road/Portobello Road.
The route itself may be less direct and longer, but it certainly feels faster.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Despite the rain this evening the former railway parallel to/beside Seafield Road consisted of puddle-free fresh smooth tarmac. Lighting-poles are in place though I don't think there were any lights at the top. New fences/railings in place across the two wee bridges over the crematorium entrances. Apart from the tidying-up of the former community orchard section next to the Links the path appears pretty much complete...
Posted 12 years ago #
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