Could anyone suggest a place to park my car the west side of the Newbridge roundabout. I currently park at Ingleston park and ride and then cycle the 6ish miles into work and back each day and can get to my car in 25min and sometimes take 25min getting to the M8. Thanks
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Commuting
Newbridge to City Centre
(26 posts)-
Posted 11 years ago #
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Years ago, my car share would meet up in Bridge Street, there was always plenty of space to park.
Looks quite busy on Street View so perhaps the street is still used by car sharers.
In those days you could cut through at the east end of the street from the petrol station (now gone).
Posted 11 years ago # -
Hmm not knowing where you come from, and looking at the double yellows out by BMW and the Premier Inn I could only suggest you try slightly further south in and amongst the industrial estate. Bridge St looks very residential and I always try to avoid upsetting locals who may feel upset about commuters parking outside their house.
Have you considered complaining about the Newbridge junction to the council as it would appear placing the Park and ride where it is, is on the forcing extra traffic through that junction. They may consider retiming the traffic lights to help users get through to the park and ride a little easier.
Also try getting there 10, 15 and 20 mins earlier, as sometimes traffic is freer at earlier times. I recall collegues who drove in from Dunfermline saying a delay settign off to work over the FRB would add 20 mins to their journey.
Hope this helps.
Posted 11 years ago # -
Hi there DaveC I actually live in Glasgow and leave the house at 6am to avoid the joys of the M8 at Eurocentral, Harthill and Livingston so my inward journey is fine. Ideally i'd like to extend my ride my perhaps 4 miles which on my homeward cycle would see me sailing past the queue of traffic and getting easy access to the M8. Coming home I am limited by my hours of work, current guidelines say 9-5, which is rubbish cause I agree 15 min earlier makes a big differnce. It might not be possible but just wondered
Posted 11 years ago # -
What about Ratho? You could take the road along to Longstone and pick up the canal all the way back to the car and use the quieter roads to meet the M8 after Livingston.
Posted 11 years ago # -
You could come off at Junction 3. This adds the distance. And craftily avoids Newbridge, without adding much time driving on minor roads. The issue is parking the car somewhere safe and convenient for getting back on to the M8. If coming down junction 3 slip road turn left for Broxburn. I can ask my friend who lives there where you could leave a car.
Posted 11 years ago # -
How about -
http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations/uha/details.html
Extra flexibility for days when afternoon weather has turned bad. It happens...
13 mins from Haymarket!
(£4.20 though)
Posted 11 years ago # -
I had the same problem with Ingliston P&R going back to Fife. Either direction - to the M9 or Barnton - would be clogged adding 30 mins to the trip. My solution wouldn't work for you - I clutter the residential streets of Barnton.
Would the Park and Ride at the A71 not work? Stay on the M8 all the way to the bypass and go up to the A71 and into the P&R at Riccarton. Should be no busier in the morning but maybe easier back onto the M8 in the evening.
Posted 11 years ago # -
Agreed, Insto's solution would mean hitting the Hermiston Gait junction but if you park at the P&R at Herriot Watt Uni you could have the choice of A8, A71 parallels, Canal, or even Water of Leith on sunny summer evenings. As for being forced to work set hours, does this mean you can't get into your office/work earlier? Just take a more leisurely shower, no?
The alternative, heading north towards the Bridge to park up and cycle in, severly limits your options for driving to a suitable point and would mean more congestion. Admittely it would mean a similar distance (assuming you work in the centre) but there is scope for extending along towards Ratho, but that would mean coming off at Newbridge although you can use the left filter upto Harvest Road and Ratho. You could park as I mentioned earlier to the south of Newbridge and cycle aloing this route http://www.cyclestreets.net/journey/10602167/
In the summer I ride out over the Pentlands and then down past HW and along this route (in reverse) before heading to Kirliston along the disused railway line or through Kirkliston and along the B8000 to S Queensferry http://www.cyclestreets.net/journey/10602387/#fastest
The route from Gogar staion Rd to Ratho is usually very very quiet and faster than the canal.
Posted 11 years ago # -
Thanks for all the advice, for me the real issue is the commute home the drive and cycle in the morning is fine but finishing work at 5pm in Edinburgh city centre and getting to Glasgow airport asap is the real driver. Might try the HW P+R but my worry with that is the time it could take getting to the M8 once I get to the car plus I understand that the canal may not be all that quick to cycle on? DaveC my office is accessible 24hrs a day but some senior management don't like the idea of people setting their own hours although to be fair to them they are happy for me to do an extra hour a day as I am often at my desk by 8. I'll have a look on google maps and see if any areas look likely parking spots.
Posted 11 years ago # -
I'd go with the aforementioned Uphall Station. Parking is ostensibly for rail users only but I don't believe there is any enforcement of this. Off-road path from there eastwards alongside the railway line for about a mile links into local lanes. Gives access to the canal just before the big Almond viaduct, or you can snub the canal and stick with the lanes to Newbridge (last short stretch on the path alongside A89) and pick up your preferred route from there.
Might add a little more than your target 4 miles but probably not much.
Posted 11 years ago # -
Might also be possible to come off at junction 3 and turn right instead of the left to Broxburn, cycle up to asda car park in Livingston and head into Edinburgh from there? Midcalder East Calder, Humbie, Kirknewton back road, Long Dalmahoy, short stretch on canal, off at Cultins Rd onto Stenhouse path. That is more than ten miles. Depends whereabouts in Edinburgh the non-flexi time officer is?
You could keep going on the motorway through Livingston to the country park just after lizzie brice roundabout, bit of a remote spot to leave car, mostly dog walkers. Or you could go on to Kirknewton and park in the station or off the street and take the aforementioned back road. You could keep going to Balerno in your car from Kirknewton but that does introduce a hill on the way back to car. Best time in middle of day from Balerno to Glasgow Airport - one hour ten minutes following the route described here - ie A70 to Kirknewton turn, Kirknewton to Lizzie Bice, motorway through Livingston to M8. Probably 20 mins at most times of day
Posted 11 years ago # -
Just continuing my push for Broxburn or Linlithgow, easy off and on M8 as per specification here is the gen from Broxie (looks like vegetarians are taking over too. the sausage factory was a big employer)
Around the Halls factory will be quiet soon as it's due to close next month. The queue doesn't often get back to there and there is a cycle path all the way to the Gogar roundabout should he prefer. I used to use it at night. Cross the bridge at Newbridge roundabout then cross again at the next bridge in Ratho Station. There is also the big Dobbies, just off the motorway but I think you can only park for a limited time. [Dobbies is nearest car park on the livingston side - I do not think fines can be legally enforced for overstaying welcome in supermarket / garden centre car parks but possibly not optimal]
Posted 11 years ago # -
Cheers for all the advice guys, dunno what happened on the roads last night but Edinburgh city centre to Glasgow Airport took 80min! I like the sound of Uphall station especially if there is a track that links upto the canal or Newbridge, had a look at the map and only saw a road going towards broxburn and then to newbridge. Also the potential of the Halls factory as a potential parking area. Need to try them out but think i'll wait till the mornings are maybe a bit lighter or it's not wet n windy.
Posted 11 years ago # -
or it's not wet n windy.
Got to love an optimist :D
Posted 11 years ago # -
"I like the sound of Uphall station especially if there is a track that links upto the canal or Newbridge, had a look at the map and only saw a road going towards broxburn and then to newbridge."
It starts at the eastern end of the car park on the Glasgow-bound side, here
Signage isn't great, basically you want to stay on that same side of the railway line, following it as closely as possible. So ignore the 1st left that goes under the railway line and towards Broxburn, but take all the available lefts after that until you get onto a tarmac lane at Roman Camps.
Here's a ride I've done that uses that path:
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/70546158
On that occasion I used the canal but you can stick with the lanes to Newbridge. Follow the road round to the left at the end of Drumshoreland Road to follow Newhouses Road over the canal, under the railway, and over the M8. Then take a right past the Astor pub and keep going to come out under the railway viaduct on the A89. You need to cross this (can be "fun" but the traffic lights at junctions in each direction do create gaps in the traffic) to get onto the cycle path to Newbridge where you will already have a preferred route for the rest of the journey.
Here's one showing that lanes route to Newbridge. I skipped the railway path at the beginning that day - must have been particularly wet. http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/65762100
Posted 11 years ago # -
Hello Paul - think we've met at the park and ride - your car is a vectra ? I have also been thinking on this, and wondered about kirkliston. Anywhere decent to park there ? (I come in from north glasgow on M9 and bike in from ingliston.)
Posted 11 years ago # -
The traffic from Newbridge to Kirkliston and visa versa gets busy in rush hours, as people use it as a cut through to avoid the tailbacks on the dual carrage way to the Forth Road bridge. Also Bagshot road to Barnton is used as a cut through via this road.
Sorry I can't offer any more help, I cycle in from Fife to Edinburgh but I have travelled during rush hours through Kirkliston and have experienced the tailbacks.
Posted 11 years ago # -
Hi there sg37409 yup that's me!! Hadn't considered Kirkliston but can see why you thought of it though, I guess it'd depend on what the A90 was like to cycle on and as DaveC says if the traffic is tailing back then that's no good.
Posted 11 years ago # -
The upgraded junction on the M9 to FRB is due to open on the 1st Feb, which may help free up traffic on the Newbridge - Kirkliston road.
I'd still advocate parking somewhere near Newbridge Road and cyclng in from there. There is the bridge over the Motorway and brings you out at the Airport. Alternatives are the canal and the Rathos Park Rd to Gogar Station Road.
Posted 11 years ago # -
yes, DaveC, I was thinking that. Although the more I think on it the more I'm convinced there is no good alternative to the park&ride carpark. Maybe in the summer I'll try Linlithgow or Winchburgh: My rationale is a bit different to Paul's. I was just fancying a wee bit longer ride. The Newbridge rdbt is clear when I get there usually. Paul - try going a bit slower on the ride back from work. :-) You were totally flying on the day I tried to keep up with you.
Posted 11 years ago # -
You must have caught me on a very good day then sg37409, you still making the journey? The longer ride bit appeals to me as well, i fancy replacing the mountain bike with a hybrid to make the journey a bit quicker (I have more chance improving my times that way than by cutting back on my food intake ;-)) and then increasing the distance I'll cycle. So far the station at Uphall or the now or soon to be closed Halls factory in Broxburn look to be the best options.
Posted 11 years ago # -
A new collegue is going to cycle in from the Airport Park n Ride in Spring and is wondering the best route to St Andrew Sq. Which route do you two guys use please? He doesn't want to ride the A8 but also wants to commute in reasonable time, and not meander all over West Edinburgh. The path which hugs the Tram route looks good once he comes off South gyle Broadway but it appears to not be open from Carric Knowe Ave. Is Whitson Road and then past Murrayfeild a good route or a cut through. I recall Whitson Rd used to be closed at the Balgreen Road end?
Posted 11 years ago # -
Yes I am still doing the journey. I go from that P&R to top of Leith walk. I use the pavement/Cyclepath on the bit between the Gyle and P&R. (Some go on the road) I just go right along A8 and find its not too bad as its bus lane. At Haymarket, some dodging around, Drumsheugh Gdns, then George Street/Princes St/Leith Walk
Posted 11 years ago # -
Dunno what you guys are talking about the A8 is a joy ;-) DaveC id go with what sg37409 says. Leave the park and ride & pick up the pavement / cycle path to Gogar roundabout, about 100m before the roundabout you can take the bridge over the road then cycle on pavement to the bus lane where its plain sailing all the way to Haymarket. From there just negotiate the tram works to St Andrews Sq.
Posted 11 years ago # -
Well parked up today at Uphall station and cycled the 14miles or so into Fountainbridge. Probably not a route I would use if I was in a hurry due to the length of time you spend on muddy tracks, slowing down on narrow sections and having to walk over aquaducts. However, as a cycle ride to work it was great and I reckon on those bright sunny summer mornings it'll be a great way to start the day. Many thanks to Bhachgen for the info on the route although I did miss the start of the track just on leaving Uphall station due to it still being dark. I think tonight though I'll head along to the P&R and then continue on past newbridge and up station road to Uphall and see how long that takes.
Posted 11 years ago #
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