CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Commuting

South Road Round Arthur's Seat is Sooooooo Quiet

(16 posts)
  • Started 13 years ago by Wilmington's Cow
  • Latest reply from riffian

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  1. Wilmington's Cow
    Member

    When it's closed....

    Hadn't realised till going home last night, and no idea how long it's closed for, but there are proper diversion signs up. Headed back in the dark with two other cyclists - had to make sure you looked out for pedestrians, but it was so nice not wondering about traffic around you.

    Enjoyed it so much I cycled to work that way this morning. Peace and quiet and the whole road to myself.

    Question popped into my head. That road is, technically, a private road (being owned by the Queen and all) so I assume the 'Road Closed' signs are not a police enforcement matter, though if a rep of the park was to ask me to stop cycling there I'd have to comply? Or does Land Access kick in (private land, reasonable and responsible use)?

    Posted 13 years ago #

  2. Jackson Priest
    Member

    It's closed cos of roadworks though isn't it? I had to squeeze past a big lorry with a drill or something on its back digging up the pavement there on sunday morning. A motorised vehicle would not have managed to do that. So I doubt it applies to anything other than cars. Not that I'm a land access expert, mind.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  3. Jackson Priest
    Member

    Agree though: nice and quiet, and also good to be able to zig-zag from kerb to kerb. Can't really do that on London Road.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  4. Wilmington's Cow
    Member

    Just one bit of road narrowing both last night and this morning that I went past - one wagon last night, but it was parked off on the grass beside Pollock Halls. So so so nice.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  5. kaputnik
    Moderator

    Yes its been closed since at least the weekend, for what on the surface appears to be a pitifully small bit of work to the pavement. I've been along a few times and thought "why isn't it likes this all the time?"

    Posted 13 years ago #

  6. Dave
    Member

    The whole state of the park is a real shame - a busy rat run when it could, simply by closing it to motors, be a quiet haven right in the centre of the city.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  7. chdot
    Admin

    Time for a campaign.

    Or at least find out what the rules are.

    Historic Scotland apparently has the power to stop "commercial vehicles" - but not taxis.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  8. Wilmington's Cow
    Member

    I remember a couple of years back they closed the south road over Christmas. We walked from the house through there (heading to Nomad's Tent as it happens) and it was lovely, just strolling along the road (which was less icebound than the pavement) and simply enjoying the peace and quiet. Last winter we went out to do the same thing... They hadn't closed the road. And hadn't cleared the pavement of ice. It was a noisy trafficy affair, slip sliding all the way round. But hey, it's not as if the government or council wants to encourage people to get out and be healthy and safe is it...?

    Posted 13 years ago #

  9. Wilmington's Cow
    Member

    A lot of cyclists using the road this morning, and other bonuses to be found with there being no cars about (watch for other thread activity shortly).

    Posted 13 years ago #

  10. kaputnik
    Moderator

    Coming back this way about 930 tonight after club run out in East Lothian, encountered a car coming slowly towards us. I mouthed something along the lines of "doesn't this muppet know the road is closed?". I hope they can't lipread - it was the Polis sneaking about in one of those mini-transit vans. Not sure what they were expecting to find, it was completely devoid of (low)life along there.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  11. Min
    Member

    You should see the north road though... :-o

    Actually made things easier for me as they weren't moving so crossing the zebra was easy. Then crossing the south road was easy too as no cars!

    Posted 13 years ago #

  12. Wilmington's Cow
    Member

    Lovely walking in this morning (bike left in the office last night) - could actually hear all of the birds. Resident Kestrel made a brief appearance as well.

    Saw the results on the North Road on Lap-The-Seat night on Tuesday. Maybe they should just close that as well...

    Posted 13 years ago #

  13. chdot
    Admin

    "Maybe they should just close that as well..."

    Yes.

    Write to the Queen.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  14. riffian
    Member

    Cycled home that way last night. Quite tempting to really carve in to the corners safe in the knowledge there isn't (shouldn't?) be anything coming the other way. Shame it's not a permanent change...

    Posted 13 years ago #

  15. chdot
    Admin

    "Shame it's not a permanent change..."

    Yes.

    Write to the Queen.

    Other forms of campaigning are available.

    Could start with 'closed during hours of darkness'!

    Posted 13 years ago #

  16. riffian
    Member

    'closed during hours of darkness'

    I was in London at the weekend and noticed Richmond Park closed to motorised traffic at night but access was maintained for peds and cyclists. It makes for quite a different 'feel' ie a bit more of a wilderness rather than just a cut through for cars.
    (Although through November nights all access was suspended while they cull the deer.)

    Posted 13 years ago #

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