A90 cycleway upgrade, Burnshot « CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum

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A90 cycleway upgrade, Burnshot

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Started 11 years ago by neddie
Latest reply from DaveC

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neddie
Member

The City of Edinburgh Council is currently progressing a scheme to enhance cycling and walking provision between Edinburgh and the Forth Road Bridge. This scheme supports walking and cycling policies detailed in the Council’s current Local Transport Strategy and Active Travel Action Plan.

The current phase of this scheme involves an upgrade to the path adjacent to the A90 carriageway at Burnshot Wood, situated between the Barnbougle and Burnshot junctions. This will involve raising the existing path to carriageway level, widening and resurfacing. Please see the attached plan which indicates the location of the works.

It is currently anticipated that work on this scheme will commence on Monday 15 April 2013 for approximately six weeks.

For safety reasons, it will be necessary to close the path during the construction period. A temporary alternative route for pedestrians and cyclists will be available through Dalmeny Estate for the duration of the works. This can be accessed from the main entrance to Dalmeny House at Chapel Gate on the B924 to the north, and the Burnshot flyover to the south. Please see the attached plan for details of the temporary diversion route. Whilst the path closure is in effect, the diversion will be clearly signed along its full length.

The A90 will remain open to vehicles at all times, however an off-peak lane closure will be in operation to ensure a safe working area for the contractors

Posted 11 years ago #
neddie
Member

I believe the cycle path is to be widened to 2.4 metres (along a length of approx 300 metres). There will be one pinch point remaining where the path narrows to 2.0 metres.

The diversion for cyclists is pretty poor: big gradient changes; a descent to sea level and back; plus an extra 3km distance!!!

Posted 11 years ago #
kaputnik
Moderator

This will involve raising the existing path to carriageway level, widening and resurfacing. Please see the attached plan which indicates the location of the works.

Did you get an email about this? Where can one peruse the plans.

It does not amuse me that a safe working environment requires a lane closure, but a safe cycling environment has traffic rumbling by at 70mph just feet away from the path.

Posted 11 years ago #
crowriver
Member

That's good, though a temporary inconvenience. Better to divert via Kirkliston Road, then over the hill to Dalmeny/S. Queensferry I reckon, than traipse through Dalmeny Estate.

Do you have a link to the plans?

Posted 11 years ago #
kaputnik
Moderator

Although on a nice day (chance would be a fine thing!) the route through Dalmeny is most pleasant. There are better routes through the estate than the ones that Sustrans suggest.

Posted 11 years ago #
neddie
Member

I don't have a link to the plans, only a pdf of the suggested diversion route which I'll try to link when I figure out how...

Posted 11 years ago #
DaveC
Member

I disagree chris. Bogshot/burnshot rd is eide in most cases but the stretch between the wooded cut through and under the bridge to past the farm bihind the airport is a fast section for cars. Plus you have to negociate a rht on a blind bend up Standingstain rd with oncoming traffic flying through the bridge in front.

The route through Dalmeny might be slightly longer but its way quiete.

Posted 11 years ago #
Arellcat
Moderator

a safe working environment requires a lane closure, but a safe cycling environment has traffic rumbling by at 70mph just feet away from the path.

Suicycle path on Flickr

Wasn't the most relaxing ten miles I ever did, put it that way.

Posted 11 years ago #
crowriver
Member

@DaveC, I reckon a lot depends on time of day. Granted at peak commuting time the Kirkliston road may be intimidating. Off-peak it's generally fine, in my experience.

Posted 11 years ago #
minus six
Member

The route through Dalmeny might be slightly longer but its way quieter

this is true -- but Dalmeny diversion probably not much use on a carbon road bike, which i anticipate will be out of its winter hibernation by mid-april, inshallah

Posted 11 years ago #
cb
Member

According to MemoryMap, heading out of town:

Direct route: 2.42km, 37m ascent
Dalmeny diversion (using my guess of what the route is): 4.2km, 73m ascent
Diversion via West Craigies: 4.09m, 68m ascent

So, looks like West Craigies would be a better diversion; although maybe the short-sharp-steepness of the hill would negate any on-paper benefits.

Needs someone to try it in practice.

Posted 11 years ago #
Dave
Member

I'd go through Dalmeny estate for sure - much nicer than the road (at least at rush hour) and the surface is largely fine.

Posted 11 years ago #
minus six
Member

so its not mostly unmetaled road with rain puddles?

its been a while since i've tackled that route.

Posted 11 years ago #
DaveC
Member

There are two main route through. From Cramond brig turn right and head off on a dirt track with intermittent tarmac along the coast. Brings you out at Hawes Inn. Route two is take the path past the first right turn to the top of the Bagshot flyover and turn right at the second entrance. This is all tarmac and forms one third the tarmaced roads through. At the house where you would take the right along the front of the house, take the left behind the house and up the hill. Brings you out at the top of the cycle path they upgraded a couple of years ago. this leads to Dalmeny village. The third route is to go right at the main house and past but at the point where the route becomes dirt again, head inland, up the hill and take the route which is a continuation of the tarmac. It goes through a wooded syretch and past the house with the three hedges cut into heads.

Posted 11 years ago #
DaveC
Member

Dalmey Coastal Route Dirt track 3/4 of the length.

Dalmeny main route through Tarmac throughout.

Dalmeny Tarmac alternate, steep hill 3/4 along Tarmac throughout, but has a cheeky wee hill near the end ;o)

Posted 11 years ago #
steveo
Member

Cheers for that Dave, that really clarified the quieter route. I've been meaning to take a ride out to Sth Queensferry for ages. I used to go out all the time to visit a mate but I've not gone in ages partly because the last time I went I realised the road side path was seriously incompatible with 23c tyres.

What sort of distance/time does the Dalmeny main route add vs the direct road side path?

Posted 11 years ago #
DaveC
Member

A90 route 1 NCPN

The direct route is 2.6km, with a 30M climb. The alternative through Dalmeny is 4.2km, with a 67m climb. I'll let you work out how much longer it takes....

Posted 11 years ago #
hippetyhop
Member

Thanks for the maps, DaveC, most helpful. I've only ever biked the "dirt track" route through Dalmeny, starting from just past the bridge. My commute home is always at night, so that will be um, interesting... hope the sheep wear hi-vis! Mind you, my favourite bit of the ride home is the dark stretch of cycle path from Dalmeny to SQ, just me and the bats at 2am. I'm hopeless at navigation too, so I'll have to have the "left, left, right, second right" instructions taped to my handlebars or end up riding all over the estate looking for a way out.

Here's hoping they do a good job. That stretch of the bike path is a nightmare - in the end I rubber-banded a torch to my handlebars so I can "flash" drivers who blind me with their high beams. They probably don't notice, but it makes me feel better.

Posted 11 years ago #
hippetyhop
Member

From memory there are cattle grids on that estate road up to the gate by the turnoff to Dalmeny.

Posted 11 years ago #
DaveC
Member

Thats right hippetyhop the cattle grid is at the start of the hill behind the house and gardens. if head ing to South Queensferry head down until you get to the house and turn left at the cross roads where you meet the house to head back up to the Dalmeny village facing gatehouse.

But to be honest, in the pitch dark I'd probably cycle straight up the A90 and out along Bagshot Road past Craigiehall, under the railway, right at Standingstane Road and out past Queen Elizabeth Yards and into South Queensferry that way. Its almost certainly deserted of cars and you do get some light from the surrounding area. The Dalmeny estate is dark in contrast and has a few tight bends heading down towards the house from Cramond. Sheep do populate the road up from the house and also further on, on the Alternate Tarmac path but they only linger so long as the tarmac is warm and shuffle off later at night from my experience.

In the summer I cycle one eve a week with mates and usually head back to Fife late in the evening.

Posted 11 years ago #
Baldcyclist
Member

Another alternative if you go right into the City centre is to go A8 to Kirkliston, and B8000 to the bridge. It's about 2 miles longer, but flatter, and on fast roads rather than slow cycle path. I do the 15.5 mile route that way in the same time as the 13.5 mile A90 route

Posted 11 years ago #
Baldcyclist
Member

I'm really looking forward to this work being completed though, I hate that stretch of road. Another 3 or4 miles a day worth the sacrifice :)

Posted 11 years ago #
hippetyhop
Member

Oh, I hadn't thought of going along the A8, I've never done that. I've gone from Ratho to SQ via the cyclepath - the A8-Dalmeny stretch is a bit rough in places. The road would be a good alternative at night, I'll give it a go.

Not just at the mo though - I'm a fair-weather cyclist! Booooo!

Posted 11 years ago #
Focus
Member

I always take the 2nd of the 3 Dalmeny Estate routes DaveC posted if I'm going to and from the Bridge. It's not the "below carriageway" section I am bothered about - it's decent enough considering it's short - it's the ridiculously narrow section under the trees - and over the roots coming through the tarmac - that has always annoyed me. I'd rather that was widened and lowered into a smooth slope rather than raising the low section (which could still be widened with a new wall built between it and the traffic.

If the raised section remains untouched, I'll certainly still be using the estate (good workout on the hills either end anyway!). If it's sorted eventually, I'll give the route the benefit of the doubt then.

In summary, the raised section under the trees is a much higher priority in my opinion.

Posted 11 years ago #
Focus
Member

As for the hills in the estate, the worst for most people would be the short, sharp (15% IIRC)one as you're leaving the estate at the southern end. At the end of a 50 mile plus ride it can take the last bit of energy out of tired legs! If you're no good on hills, I'd avoid that route. But then it's hard to avoid hills between Edinburgh and Queensferry without a bit of a detour. Standingstane Road's a tough old slog if you're weary.

Posted 11 years ago #
minus six
Member

A whole bunch of trees now cut down, just above the Burnshot trench.

Posted 11 years ago #
DaveC
Member

Aye you can tell where they will be working upto, i.e. where the fence line remains. Hopfully they may also look at the narrow stretch further up where its narrow before the path opens out on the slip road. I commented to my mate on the ride in, how open it feels with nothing between the rider and the road carrage, compared to a wire fence and a few small trees. We were discussing this yesterday on our Sunday ride cake stop that they'd have been better compulsory purchasing a 3m wide strip on the north of the wall and building a new path the length of the section where it runs paralell to the A90. Much safer.

Click here for full image.

Posted 11 years ago #
minus six
Member

Yes, that would work

Mind you, which would be more controversial:

Trying to get land off the Earl of Rosebery

or... just take a lane away from the A90 width, from Burnshot to Cramond brig.

its not so busy these days, after all

Posted 11 years ago #
PS
Member

If you're no good on hills, I'd avoid that route.

In my experience, if you're no good on hills seek this route out - you'll soon get good at them ;-). I went through Dalmeny Estate a lot in my first couple of years on the bike and the hills were a really good gauge for how much fitter I was getting.

There's a good range too - there's the long one grind out past the sheep towards Dalmeny; the slightly twistier one round the back of the house that starts steep and then becomes an endurance test; the shorter, steeper one out to the south; and, my personal favourite, this one that seems to go straight up.

Posted 11 years ago #
DaveC
Member

Yes I think thjat Strava segment is called Widow Maker.

Posted 11 years ago #

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