icy in EH16
was woken by the sound of cars wheelspinning (learn clutch control,fools)
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Commuting
It's freezing
(140 posts)-
Posted 12 years ago #
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It was really icy on untreated bits coming in from EH22. A little better by EH9. Both frost and black ice. Take care.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Pavements thawed but cars frosty in EH6.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Fine from EH9 to EH6 via EH1.
Posted 12 years ago # -
MMW now damp and clear of frost. Cooncil "security" van still blocking the path with the motor running and the gaffer inside.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Cycle side of MMW fine, I walked on ped side, pushing bike and it was slippy!
Last night (5.45ish) there were pairs of blokes walking/sitting on benches in hiviz labelled 'security'. I think we should ask that any 'security' provided does not include cycle access being blocked.
Anyone know who we should write to?
Posted 12 years ago # -
Clarence it?
It is an offence to sit in a vehicle with the engine running, after all...
Posted 12 years ago # -
Dear Steve Burgess, Cameron Rose, Ian Perry and Gordon Mackenzie,
This is just a quick query about the odd "security" that has appeared in the Meadows recently. I don't really know who to request to look into it.
Since I don't know what the purpose of this presence is, I don't yet have a position on it either way.
However, I would like to request that ideally, the cycle route is not blocked just to park vehicles rather than leaving them at a nearby parking space - this only forces cyclists to cross onto the pedestrian side, which you will be aware is an offence - and if they must be parked on the cycle route, that the engine is at least turned off, rather than idling the whole time to keep the occupant(s) warm!
Where is a traffic warden when one is needed, etc.
I remain, etc., your most humble and obedient servant
Posted 12 years ago # -
me too
"Over the past few days, there has been a council van marked 'security' stopped in and around the meadows, usually, but not always stopped on the cyclepath side of MMW. It appears to be providing transport for
pairs of men in 'hi-viz' 'security' jackets to walk around or sit on park benches. Probably you know more about this than I do.While I am sure it is useful to have more security in the area, I am concerned about the vehicle (often with engine running), sitting on the cyclepath, where it causes an obstruction - thousands of cyclists use that path everyday to reduce congestion on the roads. I would be grateful if the relevant employees could be asked to (a) switch off the engine and (b) not obstruct the cyclepath. I am sure there are suitable parking spaces nearby (eg near the playground/tennis courts?)."
I probably shouldn't assume it is a council van, but anyway...
Posted 12 years ago # -
No need to worry on that score SRD, it is a Council van.
Right, going to add my weight, are the four councillors mentioned the councillors for that particular area then?
Posted 12 years ago # -
"Dear sirs
Given the recent attacks in the Meadows the heightened security presence is (if sadly) a welcome sight. It's a pity, however, that this presence cannot be provided to the park users without causing obstruction.
I'm sure there must be an area of the park where the council 'security' van could park. Certainly there should be somewhere better than completely blocking the cycle lane half of Middle Meadow Walk. This either forces cyclists to dismount to pass; or ride round on the pedestrian side where pedestrians should (quite rightly) not expect cyclists to be. Further, the person who appears to be the 'gaffer' sits in the parked van with the engine running (presumably so he can leave the heater on) while his minions are sent out to the do the actual security work. I had thought council policy recently was for stationary vehicles to have to turn their engines off - it's disappointing to see that even the council itself does not abide by this.
As mentioned, the provision of security is a necessity, and I do not wish to come across as ungrateful for this being provided - that could not be further from the truth. But there are numerous places (beside the tennis courts for example) where the van could be left without being an unnecessary obstruction, nor an anti-social nuisance by leaving the engine constantly running when stopped in a green open space of the city.
Many thanks, your 'umble servant etc."
Posted 12 years ago # -
I just sent it to my councillors, rather than the ones for the Meadows (no idea who they are). Only your own councillors really need to respond to you, after all.
Posted 12 years ago # -
From Ian Perry:
"Thank you for your email. I am acknowledging receipt on behalf of the Southside/Newington Ward Councillors Steve Burgess, Cameron Rose and Gordon MacKenzie. In order to avoid duplication I will write to the appropriate Council officials in the first instance. If you are dissatisfied with the reply and you wish an alternative ward Councillor to pursue the matter further please do not hesitate to get in touch again."
Posted 12 years ago # -
Noticed the same day as we sent these the van had gone!
Posted 12 years ago # -
Enjoyed the use of gaffer/minions anth.
Not wishing to go all American here, but cycle mounted security oddly appears to be something they've adopted with much more enthusiasm than over here.
Posted 12 years ago # -
I have counted about 4 regular police bike patrols coming out of Torphichan street which is encouraging. Although they are not that viable on the meadows for example. In my opinion this sort of "bike beat" is more effective than the standard walking bobby as they can cover triple the distance and also it's a good way for them to arrive unexpectedly at scenes of antisocial behaviour.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Also seconded on use of "gaffer" and "minions" - these should be terms in use in all official council documentation. Possibly the Councillor's should be referred to as "Nazgul" and head of council services "the dark lord"
Posted 12 years ago # -
When they built Waverley Court they asked council workers to suggest a name for the new building. My suggestion of Barad-Dur didn't even get a response.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Would that make cyclists the riders of Rohan, do we reckon?
Posted 12 years ago # -
I do detect a similarity in attitude between the more belligerent of First Bus drivers and Oliphaunt handlers...
I think it was on Saturday that I saw the cooncil van replaced by the actual police, also idling in the cycle lane, although with no-one out on foot that I could see. That was just before I bumped into Roibeard, so around lunchtime.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Met Office Tweet:
Met Office warnings @metofficeEScot
"Details: Yellow Warning of Ice for Central, Tayside & Fife : Angus, Dundee, Fife & Perth and Kinross valid from 1700 Mon ... http://bit.ly/wEcZEP "Posted 12 years ago # -
Looks likely for the next four mornings -
http://m.yr.no/place/United_Kingdom/Scotland/Edinburgh/long.html
Posted 12 years ago # -
Another beard-frostingy cold morning, but lovely and crisply windless. Too dry for much ice on the roads, but I guess the wetter paths will be pretty frozen.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Yeah, -7 over here apparently. Wearing the big gloves, that mean operating gears can be a bit ropey!
Posted 12 years ago # -
I was comfy enough in T-shirt and thin sweater, but I was admittedly pedalling pretty hard. Very glad of the big gloves and cosy hat, though. Being a hipster-minus-style wagonjumping foolio, I'm on a fixed, so I don't need to change gear and have only used the brakes three times since Monday morning.
I'm trying to get through a day without using them at all, but since I'm yet to do so, and since I'm so low-geared on Wintersaurus that I can lock the back wheel in the dry without deweighting it, I conclude even more strongly than before that it's extra dumb to take them off your bike.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Posted 12 years ago # -
Nippy. I wore the same stuff as usual but my ears were cold!
Posted 12 years ago # -
yep - two pairs of socks as my toes and nose froze yesterday
wished I had donned the wee ear covering skull cap and the face mask to cover the nose though...
still wearing shorts though, Scottish tan - pink shinsPosted 12 years ago # -
still wearing shorts though, Scottish tan - pink shins
hehe! Ditto!
Posted 12 years ago # -
Very nippy this morning. Had to wear a hat.
Posted 12 years ago #
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