http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/south_of_scotland/8546096.stm
Might be possible to train your bike to Gala in 2014.
And what about plans for a parallel cycle route from Edinburgh to Midlothian?
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Cycling News
Waverley Route Confirmed
(18 posts)-
Posted 15 years ago #
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Clearing started in and around Eskbank. Various bits will be closed e.g. from bridge northwards from 5 to 19 March during the way. Bit sad walking along the path as it was busy with walkers, cyclists etc
Posted 13 years ago # -
Any idea when it will shut permanently?
Posted 13 years ago # -
No, not really. Construction is due to start sometime this year with the line opening at the end of 2014.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Use this route everyday and it was a real pain when the did unannounced closures for a few days last year. Been trying to find out a) when the full closure happens and b) what the alternative route will be.
Best information so far is on Midlothian council website
http://www.midlothian.gov.uk/info/1526/public_and_community_transport/140/borders_railway_project
Specifically mentions middle of this year for work starting and that "all paths lost to the railway will be replaced with similar facilities."
<cynical>Will believe it when I see it.</cynical>
Posted 13 years ago # -
"Specifically mentions middle of this year for work starting and that "all paths lost to the railway will be replaced with similar facilities."
<cynical>Will believe it when I see it.</cynical> "
This promise is of course impossible to achieve. The path is unique in many way, hence its popularity. As well as its use as a cycle path, it is a popular walking route and a safe place for kids to practice their wheel based activities. The path connects one-side of Eskbank to the other, useful for reaching shops and Ironmills park without crossing that cursed roundabout.
I believe that the council intends to provide an alternative link for the NCN 1 route, but this will not be any use for journeys to Edinburgh and it still leaves Eskbank without this valuable facility. I very much hope but really don't expect that the council will have the new facilties in place before the old are removed. With the delays to the railway, they certainly have had enough time.
My suggestion would be that, to replace that facility, the Melville Road is closed to traffic (apart from maybe a single lane for buses) and the road is developed for walkers and cyclists with a link to Ironmills park. It would cut the traffic through Eskbank. This may be too radical for a notably unambitious council?
Posted 13 years ago # -
@amir - I like your thinking about Melville road (and then onto Melville Gate road?) this is probably wide enough for a segregated cycle path if the car lanes are narrowed. The existing cycle lane is not too bad but the pinch over the bridge is horrible.
A bit more digging appears to confirm the worst about the planned provision.
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2006/13/schedule/4
"Substitute or alternative: Existing road and footpath network"
Ideally I'd like Midlothian Council to look at providing the joined up cycle route from the Gorebridge-Newtongrange-Eskbank-Dalkeith continuum up to the bridge over the Sheriffhall roundabout they didn't build a decade or so ago but I suspect they would consider 8 to 10 mile cycle commutes as a lunatic fringe activity.
You'd have thought I'd have gotten over the bridge thing by now :-)
Posted 13 years ago # -
"You'd have thought I'd have gotten over the bridge thing by now :-) "
Yeah, I couldn't believe the bridge thing either.
The NCN path from Dalkeith to Edinburgh is 13 miles. That's a DaveC commute length.
Posted 13 years ago # -
"Substitute or alternative: Existing road and footpath network"
So just spending money on signposts. It is amazing how much development is valued over living environments and local leisure facilities. I wish living spaces were protected more.
Posted 13 years ago # -
The Waverley Railway project website states:
"The cycle track at the back of Eskbank is part of the national cycle network and lies on the route of the previous Waverley Line. Discussions have been held with Sustrans to ensure adequate alternative routes are provided. In establishing replacement routes the opportunity has also been taken to develop proposals to complete some 'missing links' in the network between Dalkeith and Gorebridge."
Sustrans, which is responsible for the NCN, proposed re-routing the Eskbank path away from the current railway path and putting it onroad.
This is probably all up in the air, along with start/completion dates, since Network Rail took over responsibility for the delivery of the project last year.
Posted 13 years ago # -
"Borders Railway likely to be delayed until 2015"
Posted 13 years ago # -
If anyone can run the project on time and on budget, I'd say Network Rail can. It doesn't have a perfect track record on fit-for-purpose replacement cycle infrastructure though: the Bathgate-Airdrie path continually sweeps left and right, up over the railway, back down and around, with hardly a long flat bit in sight. Unlike the rails that are right next to it.
Posted 13 years ago # -
@arrelcat ha, yes, my outstanding memory of the replacement cycle route was constantly muttering "this seems very twisty and hilly for a straight, flat route"
Posted 13 years ago # -
I went to a meeting of the Eskbank Amenity Society recently where there was a presentation on the Borders Railway. Things seem to be proceeding relatively straightforwardly. The timetable is to have the line in operation by early 2015 but it would be wise to expect a small delay e.g. to summer.
We were told the type of trains likely to be in use - one of two possible types - sorry can't remember their numbers. I think one had space for 2 bikes per carriage and the other for three plus a flexible space (also for wheel chairs). The number of carriages will depend on the operator but will probably start at two and build up according to demand.
I am looking forward to using this to get my bike to rides in the borders.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Unless they magic up new old stock from England, it will be either a class 156 (Shotts line slow service) or a class 158 (Brunstance & Newcraighall, some Fife circle, Dunblane etc. services) as they are the only diesel units Scotrail have that come in multiples of 2.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Class 156 Super Sprinters
Class 158 ExpressI recently finished reading Peter Marshall's "Peebles Railways" book. Interesting stuff. A shame that it's still going to be a ~17 mile hike from Galashiels to get to Glentress; riding all the way from Edinburgh would be about 24 miles.
Posted 12 years ago # -
They have had to make a few modifications to the plans since the bill.
One of these is that the car park for Eskbank station will now be on the east side next to the new college site rather than adjacent to Tesco. This will potentially mean more traffic on Dalhousie Road. This is a shame as I use this road a lot. We have already had a change to parking access for the Jewel and Esk College and there will be new houses on the old college site. Still on the upside, hopefully those commuters that still refuse to use the excellent bus service (or bikes) will be happy to jump on a train. The trains will easily beat cars into the city centre from Eskbank, Gorebridge and Newtongrange.
Posted 12 years ago # -
The current Scotrail franchise exprires in November 2014, so the rolling stock to be used on the Borders will depend on the rolling stock leases struck by the next franchisee.
However, it seems pretty reasonable to assume that it will be similar to diesels in use at the moment (unless another franchise nabs them, which is a possibility...)
Posted 12 years ago #
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