Maybe/likely people are aware of CEC's proposals to revamp NMW, but I've just been sent the proposal plans by the Southside Association, who have been asked for comment/feedback. This apparently needs to happen before tommorrow!
Not an expert but they look not bad to me.
Let me know if anybody want the the PDFs emailed over (asuming theyre not available online).
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Infrastructure
North Meadow Walk - Revamp *Urgent* (if you want to comment)
(30 posts)-
Posted 11 years ago #
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Is there anything objectionable in the proposals? Does it include tarmaccing the rubbish surface?
Posted 11 years ago # -
Does it include making the cycle 'half' of the path be on the same side all the way along? Getting rid of the metal gate on the playpark fence which sometimes swings in the way of cycles? I hope there's nothing daft like a couple of new black-gated chicanes or some signs rites in the middle of the path...
Posted 11 years ago # -
On the whole I think it's not bad. It includes:
Re-surfacing whole thing
Making wider
Taking away silly jink round play parkMy comments send to Southside Association below:
Overall, very pleased to see that upgrading NMW properly is being moved forward.
Very pleased the silly jink around the playpark is to be removed.
The give way boxes at each junction are total overkill. Cyclists and pedestrians are fundamentally similar type of user of public space, ie relatively slow and undangerous, and, given enough room, (as the proposals should) they don't need elaborate road style markings all over the place. It is a waste of money.
The entry onto the path from Boroughloch needs to be reworked to to facilitate a smother connection for cyclists from the Boroughloch to the cycle path without swerving onto the pavement area. Perhaps the swing barrier could be replaced by posts, making the junction more permeable?
Agree that the health of the trees needs to be properly considered.
Its vital that the NMW path is connected properly through to the NCR 1 path (innocent railway). This commitment should be clearly noted as part of these proposals to reduce the chance of back tracking.
Posted 11 years ago # -
Angus I would second all your comments, very fair (let me know if you formally need a supportive response). All in all it seems like a sensible, good use of spending.
Posted 11 years ago # -
Getting rid of that line of cobbles would be most welcome, suspect if it is being widened that will happen. Nearly came off a few times on those!
Posted 11 years ago # -
Uploaded the plans to Dropbox.
Link here:
Posted 11 years ago # -
Good few years ago now, but I once hit that metal gate when it was swung out in the dark and ended up in casualty getting my chin stitched back together. Also had a gouged chest (from flying over the top of the gate) and a black eye.
I was in touch with the council and showed it to one of their people, but nothing was done. I still give that fence a wide berth. Great the hear that it's finally getting improved.
Posted 11 years ago # -
Link here to spokes site and pdfs.
I've sent feedback via spokes about the left turn at the west end, which takes you to the toucan crossing. this is being made slightly wider. I wonder if it could be more so and/or better lit? I often find this a potential point of conflict with pedestrians and other cyclists. Possibly widening of main NMW will alleviate issues anyway though.
Posted 11 years ago # -
Yes, having inspected the PDFs SRD has linked to, buff-coloured tarmac AND double sets of vehicular "give way" markings at each junction are overkill.
Posted 11 years ago # -
The other side of that toucan crossing is a place where they could widen the path - I mean, I know there's a tree in the middle of it, but you could have equal amounts of path either side of the tree and it would be much better. It is just too narrow and twisty at the moment and everyone gets held up giving way to everyone else (goodness knows what it is like when it is busy, I only go that way of an evening).
Posted 11 years ago # -
The markings as well will serve only to create negative feeling about how bikes need to be separated and controlled compared to pedestrians.
Perhaps give alternative that warning signs saying "Look left - Look right" or something similar need to be installed at the MMW junction as the bikes rolling on the MMW run will generally be going pretty fast and need to be watched out for.
Other than that I really welcome these plans. Great idea (mainly because my wrist hurts from a particularly bad pothole I hit on that very path this morning!)Posted 11 years ago # -
Thanks for the links!
It's great that this is being done. It's sorely needed.
I disagree mildly about the marks. They remind people on foot that those areas are a cycle path, so they seem fair enough to me. Making the cycle path (say) a coloured concrete road with a kerb up from it to the footpath might have worked as a better reminder, but since that's not happening, there need to be regular reminders to pedestrians that that bit is for bikes. (Particularly for ?Japanese people who often seem to wander blissfully around the Meadows with no understanding of the concept of a bicycle path, apparently they don't have them in Japan, just lots of pavement cycling.)
And it also seems fair to remind people on bikes that the "junctions" will have people on foot, so please don't go piling through there at top speed. It's not as if they're putting CYCLISTS DISMOUNT signs up.
Posted 11 years ago # -
I agree with cc
Posted 11 years ago # -
Whither should other things be sent? Spokes' site is unhelpful in this regard.
Although the fence around the playpark is being shifted southwards a metre it's important that the swing-fence be made able to only swing inwards towards the park.
It might not be a problem if the segregation will be marked by paint and chippings but if there's another narrow dividing-stone between the pedestrian-bit and cycle-bit it'll exacerbate wear to the cycle bit (particularly when the surface of the cycle bit is attacked by the wheels of council vehicles driving mostly on the cycle side).
Council vehicles should drive as much on the pedestrian side as possible after the works to reduce wear to the cycle side and so that cyclists aren't required to dismount and wheel round them to avoid technically lawbreaking to pass them.
Posted 11 years ago # -
I've forwarded to wingpig by email the email I got when I asked this on twitter (basically spokes email to people who live in area). Anyone else who wants it please pm me your email.
Posted 11 years ago # -
Looks like a sensible and incremental improvement. To be welcomed, I'd say. If they can sort out the flooding too that's be great.
Posted 11 years ago # -
I replied to the spokes email with DrAfternoon's concerns re the gate. Re paint/signs I can see both sides, and I think SPOKE's internal machine also has thought about both sides...
Posted 11 years ago # -
The money is from Sustrans and must be spent by June so just in time for Bike Week (or something)
Widening the path on western side is "dependent on finding a solution that will minimise impact on trees".
Not sure what that means - obviously no intension to clear fell and create a super highway!
Posted 11 years ago # -
To be honest if we get a non-lunar surface, I will be quite happy.
I think there are many other places which need basic remedial work, so not too worried about this.
Posted 11 years ago # -
On western side... is there not a 'desire line' path running parallel to existing path between the trees? Often wondered if it was worth just making that the bike path so it kept too distinct pedestrian and bike paths. I know that it means more tar but could create a decent path with less conflict.
Posted 11 years ago # -
Widening the path on western side is "dependent on finding a solution that will minimise impact on trees".
The ones growing out the pavement 3 inches from MElville Drive seem to do just fine!
Posted 11 years ago # -
"
12 March 2013
Dear All,
Please find attached a plan of our diversion proposals during the period of the works.In summary, it is intended to close the full length of North Meadow Walk for the duration of the works (approx 9 weeks from May to end of June). Pedestrian access across NMW will still be possible at Lauriston Gardens, Chalmers Street, Middle Meadow Walk, George Square and Boroughloch.
From the west, pedestrians will be signed via Melville Drive and Jawbone walk in order to access Middle Meadow Walk. Cyclists will be signed via Melville Drive and Middle Meadow Walk.
From the east pedestrians will be signed either along the footpath that runs along side the tennis courts and children's playground or via Meadow Lane and the George Square access. Cyclists will be signed via Melville Drive/Melville Terrace or via Meadow Lane and the George Square access.
The contractor will also be instructed that access should be maintained for the Meadows festival at the end of May
Regards
Mike Trotter
"
Posted 11 years ago # -
"
Dear All,
We have now received the tenders for the scheme and the start of the works is programmed for the start of May
Following discussions with local councillors and in agreement with the parks and forestry section, we have amended the western spur of the scheme to widen the short path to the Toucan crossing. We have also had to take account of various issues raised by the Non Motorised User Detailed Design Audit including the use of tactile surfacing before intersections and increased signing.
A letter is going out to frontagers along the eastern section detailing the works and reassuring them that access will be maintained at all times despite the closure of the path for the duration of the works.
Regards
Mike Trotter
"
Posted 11 years ago # -
Other good news - it looks like the 'spur' path to the toucan crossing, will actually be widened, along with the main path.
As the posts above suggest, we'd been told this wouldn't be possible, but now sounds like it will be, which is excellent news.
Posted 11 years ago # -
...had to take account of various issues raised by the Non Motorised User Detailed Design Audit including the use of tactile surfacing...
More rumblestrips then...?
Posted 11 years ago # -
If only they actually put them in as rumble strips and not tramlines...
Of course, the simple solution would be to have shared use paths, like NEPN, rather than people bombing around on their own side of segregated lines (like MMW).
Posted 11 years ago # -
"
Of course, the simple solution would be to have shared use paths, like NEPN, rather than people bombing around on their own side of segregated lines (like MMW)."
I'm coming round to that view - perhaps for Broomhouse, less sure about MMW.
Arguably cyclists have more space than they 'deserve', but on days when there are so many peds that they use both sides, it's not much fun cycling.
Posted 11 years ago # -
oh, sorry! I see the thing about the western spur was in edd1e_h's original post. I'm not reading carefully enough today. thanks for posting edd1e_h!!
Posted 11 years ago # -
What are the implications for gathering cyclists at POP?
Posted 11 years ago #
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