CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Infrastructure
" ‘Money-sucking’ Forth bridge claim sparks row"
(28 posts)-
Posted 11 years ago #
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Didn't they find out subsequently that blowing air into the cables was working and that they had stopped corroding, and that the current bridge wasn't actually going to fall down imminently as a result?
Posted 11 years ago # -
@ Baldcyclist
Not sure if they have released final final verdict - but seems so.
They decided they couldn't wait as extra FB was essential to stop the world economy falling apart.
Or something.
Posted 11 years ago # -
@Baldcyclist I think they did...
Evan Davis has a new current affairs show on BBC looking at infrastructure projects, one of which was the Forth Replacement Crossing. He did a rather simplistic piece on why it needed to be replaced (getting old, not designed for quite so many cars...) and had some people from the project tell him how fantastic the new bridge would be, but totally overlooked the "other side" of the economists' supply vs. demand equation, in that if you've got a fixed supply of bridge, that the only option isn't just to increase supply with new bridge, but to try doing something about reducing demand. So no mention was made of overlooked or missed initiatives such as modifying signalling on Forth Bridge to increase rail capacity or the Hoverforth thing or doing something to reduce the requirement for quite so many HGVs to use the bridge...
Posted 11 years ago # -
I see there is a chance to vote on whether you think that the new Forth road bridge is unnecessary, currently the "Yes, we should simply repair the current bridge" option is winning...
Posted 11 years ago # -
I've probably ranted before about the Forth Road Bridge mkII. They can have their extra bridge for cars, but if they don't improve the original for wind-affected road users, they're shooting themselves in the other foot too about having the means to reduce demand.
PS Have voted on the poll. It's not looking good for the pro-bridge collective.
Posted 11 years ago # -
"ENGINEERING bosses say the staggering scale of the new Forth road crossing has prompted them to recalculate the number of workers they need."
Even allowing for this being a 'good news story' (presumably based on a press release) the idea that they didn't know how many workers they'd need seems a bit odd.
Posted 11 years ago # -
The new bridge representatives, on twitter at least, seem to be ignoring entirely reasonable questions about cycle facilities on A904/B800 as these are reworked for the new bridge.
This section of road is particularly dangerous on a bicycle as it stands.
I fear that since the new bridge is 'just for cars', that's all they're thinking about.
Posted 11 years ago # -
@Duncans they'll do what the EGIP rail people do whenever you ask them about cycle facilities as part of that project and say "not in scope, someone elses problem". Whenever they've done one of there "what improvements would you like to see in the EGIP project", they've always replied "sorry, not in scope, someone elses problem". Even when I suggested they put some paint on the horrible galvanised steel station architectures!
Posted 11 years ago # -
According to the Transport Scotland propaganda, B800 and the section of A904 east of the new bridge will become traffic free havens of calm, with just the odd bus to contend with, and a bit of light local traffic. As we all know, extra road capacity rarely works like that.
Effectively the new junction just shifts most of the traffic further west, so I can imagine the A904 going west from South Queensferry will get even worse than it is now.
Posted 11 years ago # -
EDIT - delayed double posting
Posted 11 years ago # -
@crowriver - Yes, that's what I've been trying to ask about.
The A904 by echline could use the space from existing median strip and create a decent shared use path by road.
Echline roundabout won't need 3 lanes. Nor would B800 need 3 lanes and a nasty pinch point at Tesco service entrance.
The reworking of the road here presents an opportunity to convert a dangerous piece of road into something much more attractive to cycle on.
Posted 11 years ago # -
@duncans, alas this is I suspect to do wth spending money on what has been agreed. For example, there is an extensive and recently updated public transport plan for this project. I've yet to find a single mention of plans for new cycling provision in any documents relating to the Forth bridges however.
As with the A90 path, I presume that cycling money will need to be used for any new paths in Queensferry, rather than 'their' money which is, of course for roads. I mean, why should they spend anything on active travel when they have an exciting, 'intelligent' new toy to regulate traffic flow? Only £12.9 million pounds extra: a bargain!
Posted 11 years ago # -
CEC has commented on the detailed designs - including some new shared use footways along the B800 (linking up the existing section) and around the "new grade separated roundabout" - if that means anything to anyone here(?)
Posted 11 years ago # -
@chdot, presumably the one taking the A904 across the M9/A90 spur/access road to the new bridge? West of S. Queensferry, see link to pdf above.
Posted 11 years ago # -
"new grade separated roundabout" - if that means anything to anyone here(?)
It means one high up above the normal road.
Had a Google for the route 75 reinstatement. Looks like they didn't bother. I'm not too upset, I'd rather have the trains running, but some people might be annoyed.
Posted 11 years ago # -
"new grade separated roundabout" - if that means anything to anyone here(?)
Grade separated junctions discussed.
Posted 11 years ago # -
I was more meaning where it was/will be.
Posted 11 years ago # -
I saw something on the news where they were talking about how this project employs NEARLY 1000 PEOPLE!!!!!
At a cost of 1.1Bn. This is an absolute bargain.Posted 11 years ago # -
I take it each person trousers £1.1m in wages then? That's no bad for a few years work!
Posted 11 years ago # -
Route 75 re instatement? That's the one along the Bathgate - Airdrie line, yes?
"looks like they didn't bother" - really?Posted 11 years ago # -
Crowriver is right in increased traffic volumes on the A904 as when the southbound slip onto the A90 from the Echline r/about is closed traffic from the east side of the Ferry wanting Edinburgh or further east has the choice of driving through the village and picking up the A90 or using the A904 to the new r/about at Echline corner & then back to the A90. I understand all the pedestrian crossing points on the new r/about will be dual use & be light controlled.
Posted 11 years ago # -
@wfb, fimm. According to Sustrans:
Airdrie to Bathgate railway path
Network Rail took ownership of the old railway line in July 2008. The path between Airdrie and Bathgate closed on 19 October 2008 to allow construction of the new railway line which opened on 12 December 2010.
The high quality replacement cycle route being built by Network Rail has been completed between Bathgate and Plains. It runs alongside the new railway in parts and uses minor roads in others.
The section between Plains and Drumgelloch, near Airdrie, has been delayed, but is now almost complete. A shared-use pavement has been constructed between Drumgelloch and Plains, running along the north side of the A89, but is not fully signed.
And:
Armadale Link Path Closure
The link path to Route 75 on the east side of Armadale at Kenbog Farm has had to be closed. A survey undertaken as part of a new development has found an open uncapped mineshaft near the path, so West Lothian Council has closed the path for the foreseeable future. An alternative alignment for the path is being sought.
http://www.sustrans.org.uk/sustrans-near-you/scotland/route-closures-and-diversions
Posted 11 years ago # -
Every day i pass the big sign near FRB proudly proclaimaing the advent of this Forth Replacement Crossing.
And yet it replaces nothing at all for anyone non-motorised.
its really a Forth Exclusionary Crossing.
It would be great to live in a modern european country where transport policy and infrastructure is thought out in anything approaching holistic fashion.
Posted 11 years ago # -
"dewatering"
They made that up.
Posted 11 years ago # -
Posted 11 years ago #
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"
Tim Reid (@TimReidBBC)
18/10/2013 11:35
Swinney pledges no tolls on the new Queensferry crossing for as long as SNP in govt #snp13"
Posted 10 years ago #
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