Had a wee spin to Musselburgh yesterday (very) AM, and pondered a blockage to a bit of path that is designated shared use; and another blockage to a bit of road that could solve a particular issue.
The first section was on the path which runs along the beach, just before reaching the Esk mouth. Ah, the good old chained barrier. Now it's easy to go round, but does then involve rough surfaces which get muddy in the wet. It's a really little thing, but seriously, you put cycling infrastructure in place (note the shared use sign) and then just block it off.
Musselburgh1 by blackpuddinonnabike, on Flickr
The second bit is what I believe is called the 'Electric Bridge' on account of it having been built by some electricity company?
Anyway, note the footbridge on the left. Strangely on the west side the chicane barriers (with their 'Cyclists Dismount' sign) have gone. But they're still in place on the east side. I've seen conflict here before with a ped complaining to a group of cyclists, with one explaining that the signs are merely advisory, the ped countering (quite logically actually) that the advice is for a reason.
The right hand bridge I'd always seen closed, and thought it was because it was in danger of collapse or so on. Until a month or two back when I saw it was opened up on Musselburgh Racecourse race days... So it can take traffic, and traffic a lot heavier than cycles. So, random thought, why not remove the gate and instead (if you want to keep traffic off it at all other times) put some removable bollards in? Cyclists can get past those and use the bridge removing any chance of conflict on the narrower bridge, the bollards stop cars going across, but can also be removed on race days... Sensible no?
Musselburgh2 by blackpuddinonnabike, on Flickr
Nice to see, as well, that access to the John Muir path round the sea wall has been improved with a proper laid path. Although there's still a half mile gap then on the track round the sea wall till a decent path re-appears. It might get joined up one day.
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