Couldn't tell what they were doing. There was one bloke wielding a stonecutter and another shouting at him.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Infrastructure
Leamington Lift Bridge
(130 posts)-
Posted 12 years ago #
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Funny thats what they were doing when I came past...
Always two there are, no more, no less. A master and an apprentice.
Posted 12 years ago # -
A bridge too far? The Leamington Lift Bridge. by LaidBackBikes, on FlickrSo are tricyclists to dismount then? This is not just a route to get onto canal path. This takes you to the fabulous 'hanging garden' crossing over the approach road... wait a minute trikes can't get around that.... they're right... don't encourage them.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Just received - I've been politer in my reply than previously.
"Anthony.
Thank you for your comments.
Unfortunately, we have had some instances of cyclists, in particular, hurting themselves falling over the chains and we recognised that this was not the best solution to prevent access to the bridge during operations. I appreciate that the likelihood of someone falling in the canal is relatively low but I’m sure you will agree that the consequences of them doing so as a boat was transiting could be severe.
The new operations are still very new and we welcome your feedback on how you think they are working. With this in mind we will be reviewing the proposal to erect permanent cyclist dismount signage and your comments will be included.
Over the next few weeks we will monitor usage of the bridge and your feedback would be much appreciated.
If I can be of any further help please feel free to contact me.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Very positive, I suppose the chains could be missed by an inattentive cyclist especially if the sun was in their eyes, not entirely convinced they'd miss a boat in the channel or a bridge deck suddenly at eye level...
Posted 12 years ago # -
I am sorry you believe the new installation at Leamington is causing you problems. It is not our intent to cause restriction to access through the installation of the new gated access.
However, the bridge is an operational structure on the Union Canal and, as such, there were safety concerns regarding the potential for pedestrians and cyclists to inadvertently fall into the canal while the bridge was in the up or open position.
The gate is over 3m wide which we believe gives sufficient width for considerate cycling and pedestrian users. It will only be closed when the bridge is in operation and we will respect the periods of particularly high pedestrian/ cyclist use to try and avoid any conflict.
I appreciate you may have reservations about the installation but can assure you that we have sought to find a compromise which will enable us to operate the bridge safely while also addressing the needs of our regular pedestrian and cycling users.Posted 12 years ago # -
3m wide with a bollard in the middle does not constitute 3m wide. It makes it about 1.2 m wide.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Actually playing devil's advocate, it makes 2 1.2m wide paths. This will force users to take one of thise 2 paths. One would hope that as we use the left lane on roads users of the bridge will also automatically use the left lane when confrunted with on coming traffic.
Separatly on a recent program talking about people escaping through emergency exits an open door forced a bottle neck as you would assume but researchers found that placing a bollard in the middle of the exit approx a metre away lead to a quicker throughput of people. They couldn't explain but watching their studies of it appeared to force people to effectively queue for that last 1m and them take it in turns going through. Throughput was increased.
Posted 12 years ago # -
I finally received a reply from Alasdair at Scottish Canals. I could go back to him with more questions (aka nit picking) but probably shan't. A couple of things to quote:
"The original gates were designed to restrict vehicle access and are generally regarded as being inappropriate for pedestrian use in that they drop down from above."
This sounds fair enough, although railway level crossings with adjacent pavements have drop down barriers too.
"The potential for conflict between users … was considered and during the construction and bedding-in phase [were] erected temporary "cyclist please dismount" signs. However, now that the new arrangement has been in operation for a few weeks we have reviewed this restriction based on observation and feedback, and the temporary signs have been removed.
Let's hope that it stays sign-free. People who ride bicycles never know whether they're supposed to be a pedestrian or a vehicle.
Posted 12 years ago # -
A quick update: The 'cyclists dismount' signs on Leamington bridge have disappeared! (some time between 4th and 6th of May).
I'd hesitate to guess whether this was done by Waterways or someone else...
...I'll see if they're back on Monday.Posted 12 years ago # -
I walked past the bridge this morning and there were two police officers stopping cyclists from cycling across the bridge.
Posted 12 years ago # -
??? So they were still able to walk across?
@chdot, one for you to give Sgt Quentin a shout on? Certainly is his patch...
Posted 12 years ago # -
So the "cyclists dismount" sign is no longer there but the Police are stopping cyclists from cycling across?
Figures..
Posted 12 years ago # -
"
Cycling Edinburgh @CyclingEdin@LBP_Police Why were officers stopping cyclists at Leamington Lift Bridge this morning?
http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6115&page=4#post-71421Curious #cycling #Edinburgh
"
Posted 12 years ago # -
The bridge is not a public road, it belongs to British Waterways (soon to be known in Scotland as Scottish Canals), although the roads either side are public roads. I've had a good think about this one and, given the access rights granted to cyclists under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003, it is difficult to see any legal basis for the police to stop cyclists crossing the bridge.
The CEC Core Paths Plan shows that the Union Canal is a core path and that the Blackford Hills-Meadows core path seems to cross the Leamington bridge (map a bit unclear).
Anyone stopped from cycling across the bridge should think about complaining to the local access forum:
Plus complaining to British Waterways:
Posted 12 years ago # -
Don't know if its connected, but sometime between 10 and 11, I saw what I took to be a Police officer and a city employee/official (based on style/colour of hiviz) walking along the canal path towards Harrison Park. Looking very pleased with themselves, although I chaulked that up to sun peeking through haar.
Posted 12 years ago # -
"
L&B Police @LBP_Police@CyclingEdin No personal knowledge of this, officers for Fountainbridge Ward may be able to answer you question
adivsntfountainbridgecraiglockhart@lbp.pnn.police.uk
"
Posted 12 years ago # -
I was one of the cyclists who was stopped by the police this morning.
I dismounted on approach to the bridge as, I thought it best not to antagonise both the officer and the other guy in attendance (who I presume was from BW) and intended to push my bike across. The policeman stopped me anyway. It turns out he was just wanting to chat to people crossing the bridge as there had been an incident last Friday at approx 8:30am between a cyclist and a pedestrian in which they had come to blows. I hadn't seen or heard anything about this as I'd taken the bus that day – "honest officer" ;). I asked him about the signage that had been there and why it had disappeared and made the point that the narrowing of the bridge combined with the signage that was just going to be ignored by the majority of cyclists was just made for causing a conflict. He seemed to agree and was happy enough when I said I wouldn't be dismounting if the bridge was clear. His words "If everyone just used common sense there wouldn't be a problem". I also mentioned that the canal towpath itself was more of an issue with some cyclist using it as a time trial course on their way to and from work. On the whole I tend to avoid the towpath for this very reason.
Anyway, there really wasn't an issue with being stopped as they were simply making enquiries and I was happy to chat and share my views on the new layout on the lift bridge.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Aha, that clears that up then. Apologies for any nasty thoughts directed LBP's way!
Posted 12 years ago # -
Welcome ianfieldhouse very useful first post!
Posted 12 years ago # -
Ah, common sense - along with consideration, the solution to so many issues.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Found this
"
British Waterways@BWcommsBest of luck to Scotland's wonderful waterways which, with the move to Trust status in E&W, will go it along operationally from April 1
https://twitter.com/BWcomms/status/180607945707491328
"
Presume that means "alone" - don't know what means in practice.
To the extent that CCE is an entity (not very much) might be useful to arange a meeting with a few CCEers and BW(S) and perhaps CEC + L&BP + Spokes to explore safety/courtesy/information issues?
Posted 12 years ago # -
chdot - British Waterways remains the legal entity with responsibility for canals in Scotland, although it will be known as Scottish Canals. All canals in England and Wales have transferred into the ownership of a charitable trust; big society, privatistaion etc...
Posted 12 years ago # -
@Morningsider
So BW is now only Scottish Canals!?
Well perhaps not...
Cleanly BW in Scotland has done some great things over the past 20 years, not always been easy to 'engage' with. Maybe things will now improve.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Cyclist Dismount signs are there to provide the majority with something else to moan about.
They are rarely used in anywhere sensible like the zig zag shared access ramp across the Western Approach Road. There they have signs to suggest cycling is safe even though there are stairs lined up with the path.
They are always used where cycling would be possible or tempting - Princes Street being the best example. (No answer from Lesley Hinds yet).
The net result is that 1 in every 100 pedestrians will throw themselves in front of a bike to make a citizen's arrest... My daughter was obstructed on her bike by someone like that on Jawbone Walk - even though the signs have gone. Such is the power of Cyclists Dismount.
Posted 12 years ago # -
chdot - yes, ironically British Waterways now only covers Scotland.
Posted 12 years ago # -
BW / SC have now installed themselves amber flashing beacons on their new fence at Leamington Lift Bridge. The cyclists del monte signs dissapeared around the same time.
You definitely have to take the bridge slower and be more aware now, as if a pedestrian suddenly changes direction and decides they want to go through the left gap and not the right gap, you don't have as many options left to avoid them.
But it's not mpossible to cross the bridge. It's just silly. And pointless. The lights / gates / fences / klaxon response is the sort of thing that makes the Daily Wail scream "IT'S HEALTH AND SAFETY GONE MAD".
I await the rest of the canal being fenced off, just incase. After all, it doesn't have beacons and klaxons.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Laidback,
Does that mean I'm not supposed to ride up/down the zig-zag? Highlight of my route to work! It even has convenient foot-rests for stopping to let pedestrians use the steps.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Alibali ~ of course you should enjoy the challenge of this badly worked out bit of a signed route. I just think it's odd that someone thought it was ok to encourage cycling here when other places more suited are blocked. The ramp is unusable by trailer bikes and forces cyclists and pedestrians into conflict on every corner. I'd give it 1 out of 10 and rate it for advanced cyclists only!
Posted 12 years ago #
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