CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Infrastructure
"Shared space plan to boost safety by removing barriers"
(9 posts)-
Posted 11 years ago #
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AIUI this isn't actually the dreaded "shared space", it's just removing the barriers to make the street seem like less of an intimidating urban expressway.
Posted 11 years ago # -
Yep. Comparing Exhibition Road (not an arterial route to anywhere) with the start of the A1 at the East End of Princes Street is, well, just silly. Also the junction of Easter Road/Duke Street is never going to be pedestrian/cyclist friendly with the roundabout there.
Posted 11 years ago # -
In Gugol's time Exhibition Road used to look like this.
For some reason when I think of 'shared space' in London I tend to picture Byng Place, with its (now) granite setts and lack of barriers, street signs and cars.
Posted 11 years ago # -
I recall traversing Exhibition Road when I lived in London in the mid-1990s and it was pretty unpleasant, mainly all the tour coaches and taxis thundering past. Similarly a few years ago, though improved still not hugely pleasant (2008 was the last time I think). Looks much better now.
Also experienced the old Byng Place, and frankly not too bad as it is within the congestion charge zone and thus pretty quiet anyway. Presumably a big improvement with shared space in place?
Posted 11 years ago # -
What is it with drivers? The second you put in a so called safety device such as a guardrail or helmet they become more likely to drive at it. Note I am trying to be funny.
Posted 11 years ago # -
A video about how a busy junction in Poynton, Cheshire was transformed by shared space:
[+] Embed the video | Video Download Get the Flash Video Posted 9 years ago # -
@edd1e_h that video looks interesting. Whilst I was down in Preston over Christmas I observed interesting changes to the city centre based on the shared space concept. It definitely felt less stressful being a pedestrian in the modified areas, although I'm not sure how confident I'd be about stepping out onto the strips that appear to be meant as pedestrain crossings. Also, I was very nearly run over while using a traditional pedestrian crossing just around the corner from part of the new shared use!
Posted 9 years ago # -
Unfortunately I fear that shared space leads to the dominance of the heavier/faster/most dangerous species...
Pedestrians have priority to cross side streets, and drivers should give way to them. How many pedestrians do you see exercising this priority? How many simply wait for a gap?
Similarly, who wants to walk in front of a car? OK, how about a stream of cars?
I think Exhibition Road has the same issues:
https://aseasyasridingabike.wordpress.com/2013/01/21/lessons-from-exhibition-road/
I remain unconvinced, and I may not be the only one:
http://www.aviewfromthecyclepath.com/2008/11/shared-space.html
Robert
Posted 9 years ago #
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