SUP along The Wisp
The pavement along the east side of The Wisp, between Old Dalkeith Road and Millerhill Road, should be designated shared use.
This section lists issues - problems on the street network and related matters.
Issues always relate to some geographical location, whether very local or perhaps city-wide.
You can create a new issue using the button on the right.
Listed issues, most recent first, limited to the area of City Cycling Edinburgh:
Created by FrenchyF // 1 thread
The pavement along the east side of The Wisp, between Old Dalkeith Road and Millerhill Road, should be designated shared use.
Created by FrenchyF // 1 thread
Melvin Walk is a useful shared-use path between Fountainbridge and Morrison Crescent. It should have dropped kerbs to make it even better.
Created by Donald Noble // 1 thread
It can be dangerous to make the right turn from Russel Road northbound onto cycle route 1/76, because drivers often cut this corner.
Problem exacerbated by parking on the northeast side of the corner.
Would be good if a traffic island or bollards could be installed here
Created by McD116 // 1 thread
QR13 Lower Granton Road Improvements
Created by Ross M // 1 thread
Narrow gate when main vehicle access is close and no dropped kerbs on footway.
Created by Stephan Matthiesen // 1 thread
The underpass under Milton Road has a very bad surface and is very dark, this is particularly bad as there is sometimes rubbish and jokers have left stone slabs or other items in the middle of the path.
Created by acsimpson // 0 threads
The surface of the path here has been badly broken up by roots from the adjacent trees. This makes any use by wheels (Bike, pram, wheelchair) tricky.
Created by acsimpson // 0 threads
The surface of the path here has been badly broken up by roots from the adjacent trees. This makes any use by wheels (Bike, pram, wheelchair) tricky.
Created by acsimpson // 0 threads
There is no dropped kerb to allow acces to Burnbrae Park after crossing Craigs Road from East Craigs Rigg.
Created by Chris Paton // 0 threads
What?
Consider facilities on Groathill Avenue to improve connectivity between Craigleith Hill Avenue (quiet road part of QR20) and the junction with NCN1 / North Edinburgh Path Network and the Craigleith Retail Park.
Why?
Groathill Avenue has no cycling facilities on it whatsoever, even though it is a link the council's QuietRoutes network. It is an important link in QR20 that connects Craigleith, Inverleith, and Stockbridge with the main offroad cycle network and additionally a busy retail park. Groathill Avenue is certainly not quiet, especially at the weekend when retail park traffic combined with parked cars makes it really hazardous and not at all cycle or pedestrian friendly. Improving this would encourage cyclists and help reduce traffic pressures in the long term.
How?
Groathill Avenue has reasonable width and so there does seem to be space for either a shared use footpath or a dedicated cycleway, particularly if parking restrictions are implemented to allow free movement of traffic along the remaining carrigageway. Given that the street has houses on it I believe a dedicated cycleway is best to avoid conflict between cyclists and homeowners. In either case, the east side of the street makes most sense as this means that cyclists can use the existing toucan crossing at the offroad path access and continue north to Craigleith Hill Avenue. As part of this it would make sense to improve the connection at Craigleith Avenue with better signage/markings and dropped kerbs to access the new path.
Created by Chris Paton // 0 threads
What?
Provide a reasonable cycle route linking the West Port and Lady Lawson Street with Morrison Street.
Why?
The West Port is a key route out of the Grassmarket and Old Town and Lady Lawson Street additionally provides connection with the Meadows and St. Thomas of Aquins High School as well as the Quartermile development and other locations. Providing a reasonable route west would link these areas better with Haymarket and the West End (via Ladyfield) and thus provide not just a local link but onward connecting routes as well. At the moment cyclists are forced to take an indirect route via East Fountainbridge along two-lane one-way streets (i.e. which have fast traffic). There is also an existing link between the Meadows and the Union Canal (and plans to upgrade this) but it is too far south to be of use to those coming from Lauriston Place or the Grassmarket, and doesn't provide connection to Haymarket.
How?
Bread Street and Morrison Street are the clear desire line and have space to afford better provision for cyclists. Bread Street is already buses only westbound and so a small connecting cycle lane at the junction with East Fountainbridge would allow cyclists to use the bus lane. The existing junction at Lothian Road is left turn only, but small remodelling could allow cyclists into Morrison Street and still retain the existing light timings (with cyclists getting a green when pedestrians do). Of course, this requires that a contraflow cycle lane is provided on the section of Morrison Street between Semple Street and Lothian Road. This may be possible by relocating some space from the large pavement next to the Sainsbury's, though this maybe required for fire evacuation from the offices and cinema. Another approach would be to have only one right turn lane into Lothian Road rather than one. Finally, upgrading the pedestrian crossings at Semple Street to toucan crossings would complete the link with the two way section of Morrison Street and onward travel.
Created by Chris Paton // 0 threads
What?
Move the toucan crossing across Morrison Street a few metres to properly align with Ladyfield and provide improved signage.
Why?
There is already a crossing at this location but it's awkwardly positioned making it unclear that there is in fact a through route between the NCN at the Union Canal and Ladyfield, ultimately forming a traffic free link to the West End. Small improvements here would help provide a clearer through route that is both quiet and safe, avoiding the need for cyclists to go along Morrison Street or Lothian Road.
How?
A small realignment of the crossing with Ladyfield to follow the desire line would make the through route much clearer. Adding blue signage with destinations would also raise awareness of the route with both pedestrians and cyclists alike.
Created by Chris Paton // 0 threads
What?
Improve the connection between Raeburn Place and St Bernard's Row.
Why?
St Bernard's Row is already a quiet street thanks to the ban on vehicle traffic at Raeburn Place. Northbound, St Bernard's Row is a key link towards family attractions like Inverleith Park and the Botanic Gardens and also provides access to family route 20. Conversely, it provides an effective southbound route into Stockbridge and the city centre from Arboretum, Inverleith, and even Wardie and Granton. The present connection between the St Bernard's Row and Raeburn Place has some cycling provision but a small amount of additional investment could encourage greater use and turn this into a key through route. This would avoid the need for cyclists to use the Water of Leith via Haugh Street which is an indirect and cumbersome route and clashes with pedestrians.
How?
The simplest improvement would be blue signage (there is currently just a no vehicles sign which doesn't encourage cyclists to use the facility) to make clear that cyclists can actually cross the pavement from Raeburn Place into St Bernard's Row. A proper dropped kerb would also be a big improvement along with appropriate markings (and preferably lead-up bike lanes) to show the route cyclists should take.
Ideally though, the nearby pedestrian crossing would additionally be upgraded to a toucan crossing so that less confident cyclists can safely turn right from Raeburn Place into St Bernard's Row (northbound) and turn right from St Bernard's Row into Raeburn Place (westbound). The best solution would involve relocating the crossing a few metres so that there is a clear alignment with the end of St Bernard's Row, though this may be tricky due to the junction with the opposite Dean Street.
I use this route twice every day and the cycle lane is always blocked by cars parked to use the shops or hotels on this street.
It makes the cycle lane pointless as I can't use it.
Vegetation breaking through the surface of a, basically brand new, shared use path surface at Smeaton Bing.
Created by Chris Paton // 0 threads
City of Edinburgh council have done good work trialling a segregated path for NCN1 on George Street. Although the trial is coming to an end it's clear from their documents and consultations that George Street will remain the primary east-west route for cyclists travelling through the city centre and more investment is planned.
The problem is that there is very poor access to this route from the West End for any cyclists who have come along Shandwick Place or Rutland Square (including cyclists from the big offices nearby). Heading east, cyclists have to go through the busy West End road junction and then brave cars sweeping into South Charlotte Street as they turn left while simultaneously needing to find a way across two lanes of traffic to the middle of the road to turn right onto George Street -- scary stuff even for a competent cyclist.
Space is always at a premium but there do seem to be options for improving this with minimal loss of road space. A two-way cycle path could be constructed across the paving to link Hope Street with Rutland Place. With careful design this could be done to minimise impact to the pedestrian space and with reconfigured light timings cyclists could emerge from Hope Street to turn left or right, and likewise cyclists from Shandwick Place and Princes Street could turn into the new path. In addition, a left turn strip at Lothian Road onto Rutland Place would provide access to this new path for cyclists from Rutland Square and Lothian Road.
Created by SRF // 0 threads
A dropped kerb where the path meets the pavement at the Glebe would be very handy here for people heading to the school on bike via the path. It's the only off-road route for cycling to the school.
Created by Donald Noble // 0 threads
This barrier is quite a tight squeeze for a normal bike without panniers, and would be very difficult/impossible to get though with an accessible bike/panniers/trailer etc.
Presume bollards could be used here to stop vehicles entering the path without causing an obstruction for bikes/wheelchairs etc.
Created by Donald Noble // 1 thread
A trench has been dug across the cycle path close to the substation, and has not been properly reinstated, leaving a 0.5m wide 5cm deep rut right across the tarmac path,
This should have been reinstated properly at the time, but would be good if it could be fixed soon
Created by Stephan Matthiesen // 0 threads
The hill from the Braidburn Inn across Liberton Road up Kirk Brae is very difficult (steep and much traffic).
Cyclists should be allowed to use the pavement from opposite the Braidburn Inn (at the end of the cycle lane), then cross Liberton Rd at the pedestrian lights (to be converted into toucan) and then continue on the pavement up Kirk Brae, at least to the Fire Station.
Dropped kerbs are needed:
- at the end of the cycle lane in Mayfield Road
- at the end of Mayfield Rd, before the lights
- at the bottom of Kirk Brae
- at Double Hedges Row
Many cyclists already use the pavement in this way, but lack of dropped kerbs makes it difficult (and of course it would be better if it's made legal).
Created by Stephan Matthiesen // 2 threads
Have a new shared path on the Est side of Inch Park, connecting Glenallan Drive, Old Dalkeith Road and Cameron Toll.
This would be a very useful connection that allows cyclists (and pedestrians) to avoid parts of busy Old Dalkeith Road.
There is no real reason why a proper path can't be built there; dog walkers walk along the suggested route all the time (on the grass).
Created by Stephan Matthiesen // 2 threads
There is a strange muddy puddle where the path from Burdiehouse Burn meets the footpath along Burdiehouse Rd., and the right-angle corner is very narrow anyway.
The paths should be connected in a more gentle curve - there is a desire line on top of the wall in the left half of the image.
This is an important point as the footpath does not continue along Burdiehouse Rd northwards, so all cyclists and pedestrians have to walk through the puddle.
Created by Stephan Matthiesen // 3 threads
Create a cycle path on the pavement or make it shared use, from after the bus stop in Liberton Road around the corner to the junction Gordon Terrace/Esslemont Rd.
This would allow cyclists who want to turn left from Liberton Rd towards KB to bypass the traffic lights, then continue onto Gordon terrace or rejoin the other traffic in Esslemont Rd.
Currently it's dangerous because:
(1) this route is uphills and cyclists are going slow, but cars turning left can't see ahead if there are cyclists.
(2) cyclists have to wait at the light and then are in front of cars, so drivers get quite annoyed having to trundle along until safe overtaking is possible in Esslemont Rd, many attempt dangerous overtakes earlier. If cyclists can bypass the red lights they have a chance to go up the difficult bit during quieter phases
(3) cyclists who are not in the ASL (but also those in the ASL) are in danger of being left-hooked (see also http://edinburgh.cyclescape.org/issues/1532-segregate-the-feeder-lane)
Created by Stephan Matthiesen // 1 thread
Dropped kerb needed at the end of this footpath.
Created by Stephan Matthiesen // 0 threads
This route should be signed. It's a very nice quiet bicycle-walking connection between Liberton and Gilmerton, but very difficult to find, especially the footpaths between all the curved bits of Malbet Park/Wynd.
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The most popular issues, based on the number of votes:
We have a tandem which fits in all the spaces on trains in Scotland (as far as I know), but we are prohibited from taking it on any except the East Coast line trains. I've been writing to various officials - elected and otherwise - and contributed to the recent review of the Scotrail franchise, but am not getting much joy. No one seems to think it is a big deal. But, for my family, with 2 kids aged 5 and 1, and no car, if we don't go by tandem and train, we can't go anywhere much. The tandem is not a luxury but a practical transport solution. Does anyone else want to join in and make this more than a one-woman issue?
(another related issue: even once the kids can ride their own bikes, we won't be able to use trains much since most only allow 2 reservations).
Surface, drainage and width issues.
Planned for upgrade as part of CEC 'family network'
No details/dates.
Was an issue 5 years ago (and before)
Created by Shaun McDonald // 1 thread
Is this really the best that Edinburgh can do for the flagship national cycle network route 1 to get it to cross Clerk Street? You have to go through a pile of bins, on to the pavement to get round a barrier and then try and judge it right to cross the road, or use the nearby pedestrian crossing.
Created by Stephan Matthiesen // 1 thread
The chicane at the west end of the Magdalene Glen path interrupts the flow when going uphills, particularly unpleasant for people with weak knees. It also forces cyclists uphills often to stop and start when there are other people going through, as it's not wide enough to pass.
It doesn't serve any useful purpose at it is on the top of the slope where cyclists are very slow anyway. As it's uphills, there is little danger that e.g. kids run out onto the wide pavement of Duddingston Pk South. Cyclists from the West are slow at this point anyway as they turn into the path.
Created by chdot // 1 thread
Longstanding issue about 'optimum' design, particularly to reduce conflict caused by vehicles turning from Teviot Pl due to signal phases.
Added to reduce confict with pedestrians at back of Leith Academy.
Will act as a barrier to long bikes, trailers and probably buggies and wheelchairs.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/chdot/8116937797/sizes/l/in/photostream
Created by Stephan Matthiesen // 0 threads
Need considerably more bicycle parking at the shopping centre. The few racks here are often overfull.
Created by HankChief // 0 threads
There needs to be a ramped access to the school grounds at this point to replace or bypass the 6 steps currently there.
This would not only improve access to the school but also improve connection between the East Craigs Path Network and North Gyle and the only toucan crossing on the A8 in Edinburgh on Dechmont Road.
Created by Stephan Matthiesen // 0 threads
Need proper bicycle racks in front of Margiotta (there are a few wheelbenders in a corner)
Created by Stephan Matthiesen // 0 threads
Kirk Brae and Lasswade Rd at least up to Margiotta should be included in 20mph. It's very narrow, residential, and with many shops in Lasswade Rd.
It's also steep uphills and fast overtaking makes it very dangerous for cycling.
Created by Donald Noble // 0 threads
It would be good to have a dropped kerb near here to allow southeast-bound cyclists who have used the road/bus lane to rejoin the cycle path without having to go onto the A90 slip road to rejoin at Crammond Brig
Created by Stephan Matthiesen // 0 threads
The whole area is a barrier, there are no connections between North Bridge, St Andrews Sq/George St and top of Leith Walk without lot of bus/taxi/confused private car drivers and cyclist-blender junctions.
Created by Stephan Matthiesen // 0 threads
Contraflow bike lane in Salisbury Rd for easier access from Southside to Commonwealth Pool, Pollock Halls and Holyrood Park.
Created by Stephan Matthiesen // 1 thread
Very difficult to cross here, coming from Brunstane Burn Walkway to turn right towards Musselburgh.
The timing of the traffic lights seems to be such that there is almost always traffic from one direction, so one often has to wait for very long here.
Created by Stephan Matthiesen // 1 thread
Cycle lanes in both directions needs urgent improvment. It's painted on but
- it is far too narrow, encouraging dangerous overtaking
- road surface in the gutter (=cycle lane) extremely bad, with deep&wide cracks, most covers have sunken etc.
- paint has faded
- parking (near the schools)
Many sections of Gilmerton Rd have hatching in the centre, wasting space; these sections would be wide enough for a segregated path (or wide lane protected by bollards/armadillos).
In the narrower sections, the existing bike lane should be removed completely because at the moment it increases the dangers (encouraging cyclists to be in the gutter between kerb and speeding cars).
Created by FrenchyF // 0 threads
There should be a dropped kerb at the foot of Braidwood Gate, leading to Dumbiedykes
Created by FrenchyF // 0 threads
The bike lane here starts too close to the junction - drivers hug the kerb before the cycle lane starts, and this makes the lane useless.
Created by Rob Earl // 0 threads
Better access to NEPN than through St Mark's Park which involves an uphill, narrowing road approaching a blind bridge. Requires stopping in traffic to negotiate parked cars and kerb.
Created by Rob Earl // 0 threads
Opening a gap in the wall would give access through towards Portobello and Figgate Park
Created by Rob Earl // 1 thread
Opening a gap in the wall would give access through towards Portobello and Figgate Park
Created by Stephan Matthiesen // 1 thread
The path between Hyvot Loan and Guardwell Glen has two narrow chicanes at both ends, which are quite overgrown too.
This path is important as it allows people to leave the quiet route northwards towards Ellens Glen, so you can avoid parts of the busy Gilmerton Rd.
I contacted the Active Travel team about it and they are going to look at it. There is some uncertainty if this is owned by the Morrison supermarket or the council. The chicanes were put in after local complaints about motorbike, so the Active Travel team has to investigate if this is still a concern.
Created by GinaroZ // 1 thread
See: https://goo.gl/maps/sZEe3AdMN8v - dropped kerb and step removal required for NEPN access from Bonnington Grove. The other side at Dalmeny Road has step-free access.
The timing of the signals at the Ferniehill Road junction could also be changed. Currently, you need to use three separate pelican crossings to get from one side of the road to the other, and this can take several minutes.
Created by FrenchyF // 1 thread
The road markings at the junction between Old Dalkeith Road and Little France Cottages should be repainted. Adding a bike lane would also be an improvement.
Created by FrenchyF // 1 thread
Just south of Little France Road, the southbound bike lane on Old Dalkeith Road is appalling. It's alongside a parking bay, but the parking bay isn't wide enough for cars to fit into it without them sticking into the bike lane. Even if it was, "dooring" would still be a significant hazard.
Even away from the parking bay, the bike lane is too narrow.
The bike lane really needs to be wider and further away from parked cars. If this isn't possible, I think it would be better to have no cycle lane at all.