What is that fence for?
The fence is so that you don't fall over the dyke and into the Dalmeny Estate.
Ironic, innit. You can fall onto the A90 speedway if you want.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Infrastructure
A90 cycleway upgrade, Burnshot
(198 posts)-
Posted 11 years ago #
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"Ironic, innit. You can fall onto the A90 speedway if you want."
Does seem underproportionate (made up word).
Posted 11 years ago # -
"180cm"
For a two way bike lane.
World class.
Posted 11 years ago # -
"right next to a very fast road without even a crash barrier."
A crash barrier plus a decent fence to protect against spray, dazzle, stone chips would be nice.
Although if you've ever seen one of these crash barriers after they've been hit it may not offer much protection - they are designed to stretch.
Regarding the new bit of path it may not be world class but I remember when it was a six inch wide muddy strip through the undergrowth.
Posted 11 years ago # -
What we actually need to do is remove the crash barrier and the fence, hijack a juggernaut and persuade someone to drive it through the wall...
Posted 11 years ago # -
So from the photos al they've done is filled in the trench, made the non-trench bit by the road wider. I know there's more to come at some point, but it looks as though the horrible bit up the hill in the trees is just as bad as it was.
Presumably there are land ownership/conservation issues which make the hill/trees bit 'difficult'. Presumably land ownership issues are the reason for the overkill fence next to the now lower wall...
The narrowest bit with crash barriers reminds me of the bridge on Seafield Road*, except the crash barrier is shin rather than head level. Once they add the 'protective' tubing/rails it will be even narrower. At least it's nice smooth tarmac...
* To be fair, the sea cliffs are a constraint there. Dalmeny estate is the 'constraint' on the A90 route. Of course, both adjoining roads could very simply be narrowed in order to make the shared use path wider, but that would also be 'difficult' apparently.
Posted 11 years ago # -
just took my maiden voyage through it.
looks as though the horrible bit up the hill in the trees is just as bad as it was
yes, that's unchanged.
Regarding the 180cm wide bottleneck / barrier at the bottom of the hill. I'll bet the planners didn't even acknowledge this as an issue.
Its designed primarily as a walking path, not a cycleway.
The same is true of the previous section they did, up the hill to Dalmeny. The steepest section has a bloody great 20mph pole stuck unceremoniously on it. Originally without any reflectives, even. For months it was at a pronounced angle due to someone crashing into it.
Its thoughtless design, and hazardous. High quality my arse.
Posted 11 years ago # -
persuade someone to drive it
There's at least 2, I think maybe 3, forumites who are or have been HGV drivers!
Posted 11 years ago # -
"Its designed primarily as a walking path, not a cycleway."
Really??
That would be one explanation, but doesn't seem likely.
Can't imagine spending all that extra time there by going slowly!!
Posted 11 years ago # -
how about
pavement-style cycle routes designed lazily by people who would never contemplate cycling as a primary means of transport
"yeah just slap another road sign pole over there, its a pavement after all"
Posted 11 years ago # -
It's rare to see someone walking there as it would take so long to get anywhere there.
Posted 11 years ago # -
Rode the path yesterday, twice, with tandem and partner on a bike with child seat.
Tree section up the hill is still terrible. Growth needs cut back and path widened/smoothed out. The former trench section is pretty good, certainly an improvement on what was there before. It does get quite narrow: there's a gradual tapering which still gives a 'Death Star' effect heading north.
Unfinished business: section next to A90 north of trench needs resurfaced and widening. Also aforementioned 'tree hill' could do with total reconfiguration!
If they sort all this, it won't be Dutch standard, but it'll be quite a lot better/acceptable.
Posted 11 years ago # -
I see nothing has happened to the foot of the new path yet. Still cones off, still sharp edges, but they have stuck a few white reflective stickers on the uprights.
Who do we complain to about snagging?
Posted 11 years ago # -
The thoughtlessly positioned road sign pole i complained about upthread has been recently removed, though.
Someone somewhere is listening, so thanks for that one.
Posted 11 years ago # -
Yes I saw that at the side of the path, next to the wall. They have painted a small yellow box where it stood. I wonder if they plan to put it back in the same place as the bent one?
Posted 11 years ago # -
it had already been straightened back out and strenghtened at the base, some months ago.
i suspect that a team came along and did the yellow box marking, for another team to come along and cut the pole marked for deletion by the yellow box.
at least i hope that's the case
Posted 11 years ago # -
Perhaps we should scrub the yellow box out and put one away from the cycle lane.
Posted 11 years ago # -
Council says -
"
We have had reflective strips added to the edge of the parapet fencing and vehicle restraint barrier supports to highlight these features to cyclists during hours of darkness. Additional protection is also due to be installed along the top of the barrier supports - we expect that this will be carried out by our contractor within the next fortnight.
"
Posted 11 years ago # -
The thoughtlessly positioned road sign pole is back.
Same camo grey colour to match the cyclepath colour.
No reflectives on the pole. No chance of seeing it in the dark.
Replaced on the same spot on the steep part of the hill where a cyclist has banged into it previously.
I give up. (Expecting mythical step change, that is)
F**k Edinburgh Council.
Posted 11 years ago # -
CEC says -
"
The reflective strip was ordered but hadn't been added - this has now been chased up by the team dealing with this.We will look in to whether it is possible to move the signs to the back of the footway.
"
Posted 11 years ago # -
Someone might also like to move the plastic barriers that some nice work-person had left leaning up against the fence as I was riding down there today. As if the route actually needs narrowing once more...
Posted 11 years ago # -
The thoughtlessly positioned road sign pole is back.
hacksaw? unfortunately still leaves a dangerous stub proud of the ground.
Posted 11 years ago # -
"unfortunately still leaves a dangerous stub proud of the ground"
That's what a lump hammer is for.
Though then you'd be as bad as those blowing up speed cameras...
Posted 11 years ago # -
Though then you'd be as bad as those blowing up speed cameras...
Only if the speed cameras were put in the middle of the carriageway (the usual position is the middle of a cyclepath or pavement!)
Posted 11 years ago # -
As (I think) has been mentioned, the crash barrier on the new stretch has had some (to be honest) pretty decent tubing added so we're not going to smash our legs on the uprights, but there are still quite a few issues.
Can somebody let me know who we can appeal to for these, and I'll do me best?1) Heading north/west, after the new stretch ends, there is a pronounced dip, followed by another around 600m on. It's fine in daylight but I can see that catching some cyclists out when it's dark, especially with the oncoming car lights.
2) The undergrowth heading south/east, after the new work, is as bad as ever. I seriously considered heading up myself with a petrol bushcutter but the amount of debris that would be left behind on the path would create a greater hazzard; who can we appeal to, to get this brush cut back?
3) The same section has a few root-incursions into the footpath which, at best, make the ride uncomfortable.
When I'm heading North/West, though, and just entering the "tunnel" I find that it's a close-run thing, between the undergrowth and the tree roots and I wonder how much more dangerous this will become in the darkness.So all good steps for an important commuting route but I hope they will see it through.
Posted 11 years ago # -
@skotl
They try and leave it to the end of autumn so they can cut back all the foliage and deal with the debris the same time that they do the cursory sweep of the fallen autumn leaves.
Its a labour-saving exercise but leaves us all in the lurch every single year.
Ask them to do it too early, and they won't be back later when the leaves are falling most, and we're left with an excess of dodgy hazardous winter mulch.
Naturally this wouldn't happen in a country that actually recognised cycling provision, instead of treating it operationally as merely a walkers pavement.
Until its publicity time of course! Then suddenly, briefly, it will be described as a wonderful "high quality cycle route".
Edinburgh Council are charlatans.
Posted 11 years ago # -
Perhaps we should persuade either the Pope or the Queen to ride or walk along the narrow "root-infested" section - guaranteed we'd have a good quality surface then...!
Posted 11 years ago # -
Whaddyaknow - looks like they've been out and cut back all the shrubbery on the upper part of the path and it's made a massive difference.
Only scary bit is just entering the trees while going North (is that Burnshot?) - it's a very fine line between the brush on the right and the first tree on the left. I've ordered an uprated headlight which should make a difference!
Posted 11 years ago # -
"
A key section of this route is the existing path running parallel to the A90 between the Burnshot and Dalmeny junctions. This part of the route has been split into five sections. The improvements to Section One, on the B924 (between Dalmeny Main Street and the A90 Burnshot junction), were completed in 2011, while Section Four (at Burnshot Wood) was completed in August 2013. The next stage of the project will focus on delivering improvements to Section Five, which continues south east towards Edinburgh from Section Four.... viewed online at http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/cycling/a90route.
We would welcome any comments or suggestions relating to the proposals – please forward these to CyclingProjects.Consultation@edinburgh.gov.uk or alternatively call 0131 469 3592. The closing date for any comments is Friday 25th October 2013. Please forward this information on to any other parties who you feel may be interested in the proposals.
"
Posted 11 years ago # -
Seems like a good scheme, from what I can see in the drawings and background notes.
Posted 11 years ago #
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