I've just received the identical email.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Infrastructure
Leamington Lift Bridge
(130 posts)-
Posted 12 years ago #
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I am not sure what this means for the "Cyclists Dismount" bit?
Posted 12 years ago # -
"I am not sure what this means for the "Cyclists Dismount" bit? "
They could probably be removed, they are just laminated A4 after all.
Or covered over with POP28 posters?
Posted 12 years ago # -
Lol, naughty man, that is not what I meant! :-)
Posted 12 years ago # -
Identical email also recieved.
People not falling into the canal does not explain the 2/3 restriction of bridge width. - fully folding gates could have been installed, or a bigger chain, or better yet, the concertina gates could have been mended.
Posted 12 years ago # -
have there ever been any instances of people falling into the canal because they didn't realise the bridge was up?
Posted 12 years ago # -
Identical email also recieved.
People not falling into the canal does not explain the 2/3 restriction of bridge width. - fully folding gates could have been installed, or a bigger chain, or better yet, the concertina gates could have been mended.
Posted 12 years ago # -
@SRD not sure, but my Dad fell into the canal about 1952 as a child.
Odd how they're happy for people to fall in the canal where the towpath is narrow or the cobbling under the bridges are in such poor repair, but not when people might be watching!
You think they would have to fence off the entire canal really if that's their logic.
Posted 12 years ago # -
...or at the very least install fences opposite all entry-points, in case it's the assumption of route-continuation across the canal (on the part of people approaching the bridge perpindicularly from Gilmore Park or Leamington Road) that the fence is intended to counteract.
Posted 12 years ago # -
yeah, I have a friend whose son fell into the canal in Oxford when he was little. My friend dived straight in after him even though he couldn't swim. thank goodness they both survived.
Have also heard a dreadful story of a child falling in on our canal nr harrison park, heavily pregnant mother managed to keep child's head above water, but couldn't get them both out of canal. luckily older child was able to use mobile to ring for help. horrible, horrible scenario.
I'm always very anxious on the canal with baby strapped into buggy or bike seat, because it would be so difficult to get them out if the heavy buggy/bike went in.
BUT that doesn't explain issue of bridge at all. especially since it doesn't operate at night.
Posted 12 years ago # -
BUT that doesn't explain issue of bridge at all. especially since it doesn't operate at night.
Especially especially seeing as it doesn't operate without the British Waterways man standing there holding the button, and without a klaxon sounding and without the sound of electric motors running!
Posted 12 years ago # -
I haven't even had an acknowledgement from either BW or CEC yet, let alone a reply.
Posted 12 years ago # -
perhaps relates to that level crossing case in which two teenage girls were killed. as i recall there was a barrier, but it was possible to go around it, so network rail at fault. since this crossed is manned, I don't think it is the same, but I can imagine that after that ruling, anyone with a similar type crossing immediately given legal advice to make it impossible for anyone to approach.
Posted 12 years ago # -
But you wrote the best letter, Arellcat, so perhaps you are getting a more considered response?
Posted 12 years ago # -
"nope: I'm not Mr. Alejsgirl"
That's good - can't be doing with any more confusion about names and partners of forum members spotted riding their bikes...
Posted 12 years ago # -
"Many thanks for your reply.
It remains an interesting development though. Have there been cases of people walking into the canal when the bridge is up, with a man operating it, a chain strung across and a klaxon sounding? And why would the bridge be narrowed to a third of its width?
The barriers are in place now, and obviously there’s nothing that will be done with those now, so it is disheartening to find that the Cyclists Dismount signs are to be a permanent feature – presumably only because the width of the bridge has been narrowed. In other words, this reduction has actually created a conflict which did not exist which has required you to “respect the periods of particularly high pedestrian/ cyclist use to try and avoid any conflict”, which seems a touch counter-productive.
Apologies for the slightly ‘annoyed’ tone of this email – I understand you may not be the person who actually decided the barriers were necessary, but I suppose this crystallises itself into a few pertinent questions:
Had there been complaints of conflict between cyclists and pedestrians on the bridge specifically before now? (I understand the conflicts on the path itself, one reason I choose not to ride on the path, but the bridge itself is more of a ‘through route’ and much wider);
Has anyone fallen into the canal, ever, with the bridge raised?; and
By the rationale of trying to protect the canal users from such fate, is there an intention to fence off the length of the canal where, without a klaxon sounding, or a chain, or a man operating the bank, there must, surely, be a greater risk of falling in?Regards
Anthony"And yes, I have sent that.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Might email him to tell them that the dismount signs don't have to be obeyed so what's the point in them
Posted 12 years ago # -
Aye, that's a good point to be made as well!
Posted 12 years ago # -
This is why working in the public sector can be a nightmare - scene: British Waterways office:
BW boss: Hey, what's this letter about us closing a bridge off with a chain. Says its a death trap for women, children and small kittens.
BW minion: Yeah - we've done it for years, nothing to worry about.
BW boss: Death trap for small kittens! Imagine the EEN "Iconic canal bridge slaughters kittens", get it sorted.
BW minion: Okay, how much have we got in the kitty?
BW boss: Down to a couple of hundred quid - get the cheapest thing you can.
BW minion - will do.
Few weeks later...
BW minion: Bridge thing sorted boss - kitten carnage averted.
BW minion: Really! I've just had a letter from a cyclist. Apparently your "solution" will cause cyclists AND pedestrians to be crushed to death in a mad scramble through a tiny gap.
BW minion - Er, kittens okay though...
Posted 12 years ago # -
It wouldn't be very progressive of BW to make this the only bridge on the Union Canal that you can't cycle across!
Posted 12 years ago # -
"This is why working in the public sector can be a nightmare"
Hence...
"Apologies for the slightly ‘annoyed’ tone of this email – I understand you may not be the person who actually decided the barriers were necessary"
It's a fair point, Morningsider, at the same time it's an odd thing to do, especially in light of the 'people will fall in the canal' excuse given the open nature of the canal. And much as I like kittens I don't think we shouldn't complain about this just because the decision has been made due to public sector illogicality.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Anth - I think we should complain. I suppose the point I am making is that decision was not "illogical". I can pretty much guarantee this decision has been made after persistant complaints that "something must be done" to replace the chain for closing the bridge. However, no-one at BW wants to spend any money on a "solution" as they know the complaints are baseless - however, pressure from senior managers/politicians means BW staff reluctantly end up buying a solution that suits almost no-one (due to limited budgets), except the original complainer.
Posted 12 years ago # -
We should have got in pre-emptively! ;)
Posted 12 years ago # -
Perhaps it was a "QC" from Porty?
Posted 12 years ago # -
"Perhaps it was a "QC" from Porty?"
Other forms of (possibly) well-meaning and (probably) under-informed complainers are available...
May or may not prove the 'rule' that persistence pays...
Posted 12 years ago # -
There are currently two active discussions - Harrison Park and Leamington Bridge that have both 'drifted' to more general discussions about usage, sharing (pedestrians, dogs, prams) and rules - dismount, 6mph etc.
New thread -
Posted 12 years ago # -
I went past on my afternoon stroll, they seem to be doing further work, not sure if its extra bollards or what I'll swing by after work. Can't help but think they are making it worse...
Posted 12 years ago # -
Hopefully they're at least filling in the cavities around the pillars of the freshly-installed ironwork to prevent them coming loose over the winter or being too easily ripped-out by an overenthusiastic turning van.
Posted 12 years ago # -
I crossed the bridge on my way home yesterday, as I do most days, and someone looking like The Bridge Operator was fiddling with the new gates. I think he had just opened them, but I didn't see any boats or wake. One cyclist did dismount and walked across; I didn't, but I did what I always do and waited until it was clear. Frankly, having to dismount here, there and everywhere is a total pain on a recumbent bike. Some cyclists might not have the wherewithal to dismount on a whim.
Still waiting for a reply to my e-mail, too.
Posted 12 years ago # -
I have a pic somewhere of Helen Needham of the BBC on a trike sitting on that very bridge.
She was most impressed with that route when Out of Doors covered the Outdoor Pursuit show in 2011...
Posted 12 years ago #
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