The Burnshot Bridge project team has issued its latest briefing update.
You can see the full report here.
Davidson’s Mains Park improvements
Council officials are now consulting on final plans to improve walking and cycling in Davidson Mains Park.
The existing path between Queensferry Road and East Barnton Avenue, which is part of the John Muir Way, is narrow, only partially surfaced and poorly lit. This makes it substandard and unattractive for people to use for walking, cycling and wheelchair access.
The project will improve the width, surfacing and lighting of the path in the Park between Queensferry Road to East Barnton Avenue.
You can see a summary of the project and what is involved on the link below.
Davidson Mains_summary sheet_Final
The full design proposals can be found on the Council’s active travel homepage, via this link:
https://consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/sfc/copy-of-cycling-and-walking-grange-rd-fd/consult_view/
Residents can submit views by 14 April 2018. Officals are currently aiming for construction of the proposals to commence Autumn 2018.
New campaign for airport night flight limit
We have launched a new campaign with Christine Jardine MP and Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP to introduce a new limit on the number of night time flights at Edinburgh Airport.
Edinburgh Airport has launched a new consultation on a draft noise action plan. This includes a range of measures to minimise and mitigate aircraft noise.
However, the draft plan retains the current practice of an unlimited number of night time flights (between 2330-0600). Other major airports such as Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted already have limits imposed on night time flying by the UK Government.
In launching the campaign, we know Christine Jardine will be writing to households around the airport to encourage residents to respond to the consultation and support a new limit.
Limits on the number of night time flights been in place at a number of other major UK airports for many years. However, there are no such restrictions at Edinburgh Airport. Whilst we all want to see the airport thrive, that can’t be at the expense of those living in the community and their ability to get a good night’s sleep.
The airport is forecast to grow considerably over the coming years. A new limit on night time flights would go a long way to show that growth will be managed responsibly.
The airport does a lot of good work to mitigate the noise from aircraft. However, the latest traffic figures show the number of night time flights are increasing. This is often the most disturbing parts of the airport’s operation.
As councillors, we will be bringing forward a motion to the next meeting of the City of Edinburgh Council in a bid to get cross party councillor support for a new limit.
Given its commitment to being a responsible neighbour, now is the time for the airport to adopt a new night time limit which is at least as stringent as seen at other major airports. We hope other councillors will support this later this month.
38/X38 Kirkliston update on issues
We recently met with the new director of First Bus to discuss issues with the 38/X38 in Kirkliston.
We covered a huge amount of ground including ticket costs, reliability issues and late running of certain services, inconsistent ticket charging and driver confusion, timetable errors, frequency of evening services, issues with general driver attitude and much more.
There were two positive areas where we can expect early improvements.
BUS TRACKERS AND REAL TIME INFO
The current bus stop trackers display times according to the listed timetable and *not* real time information. This means trackers can suggest a bus is close by when it is running very late. The director has committed that 38/X38 buses will be equipped with new technology in March to ensure they properly will link up with bus stop trackers and show real time information.
CARD PAYMENTS
The director also confirmed that contactless payment machines will be installed on buses in April. Even though buses currently offer change, we know it is still frustrating for many to have to use cash. The new machines will mean credit/debit cards can be used going forward.
We have also had further updates following our meeting
PUNCTUALITY OF SERVICES
The director came back to us to say that the reliability of buses between stops was running at about 86%. They suggested this had improved since the timetable was altered at the beginning of November.
He has asked us to highlight specific problems that arise so if you have a very late running service or if a bus simply does not turn up, let us know and we can further investigate the reasons why.
ISSUES WITH DRIVERS AND COST OF TICKETS
The direct has admitted there had been confusion among some drivers because of recent turnover of staff. They have assured us that this resource challenge has now been addressed so the knowledge of route and ticket pricing should be more consistent. Again, please let us know if there are further problems.
USE OF DOUBLE DECKER SERVICES
We asked about this. However, because of the low bridge in the first part of the route at Linlithgow, double decker buses cannot be used on the route.
INCREASED EVENING FREQUENCY
They are going to look at this and possible increased frequencies over the summer period. We should get an update on this and we’ll pass on once we have it.
Resurfacing works to the Silverknowes-Blackhall path
Major resurfacing and drainage works are to take place on the cyclepath connecting Silverknowes and Blackhall. The work will commence on 7th March and will last for approximately three weeks until 23rd March 2018.
The working hours will be between 0730hrs and 1730hrs Monday to Friday. There is no planned weekend working.
Potential path closures
Due to the nature of the works, officials have told us it will be necessary to include footpath closures. Local diversions around work activities (may require dismounting and walking on verges)
- Path closures – with diversion routes taken between accessible ramp accesses. Please see this diversion map
- Information boards will be displayed at closure points with maps of the diversion routes for onward journeys. Please note that some diversion routes may require cycling on trafficked roads and dismounting for crossings.
Fury as Council refuses action on Bo’ness Road
Despite a petition of over 1,200 names and a well attended public meeting, Council road safety officials have said they intend to take no substantive action the speed of traffic on Bo’ness Road.
We are extremely unsatisfied with the lack of commitment to making tangible improvements with our requests for a pedestrian crossing or traffic calming measures having been declined. This position has been endorsed by the SNP/Labour Administration as it has been mentioned briefly in a Council paper from the Transport Convenor.
Considering the strength of local opinion and the numbers who both completed the survey and who attended the meeting, this is clearly a very real concern for the community. Even if the monitored numbers don’t result in a score high enough for the standard process of recommending improvements, the very unique nature of Bo’ness Road, being so close to the much faster routes at the Queensferry Crossing, and the layout of the road being so long and wide, should all have been enough to secure real changes for the safety of our children and vulnerable residents.
We have now written to the Convenor of Transport, and to Cllr Work as the Administration’s representative in Queensferry, inviting them to attend a follow up meeting to explain their reasons and justify their position, as well as take questions from the many residents who are looking for answers. We look forward to their response and intend on booking a meeting, back at the school, as soon as possible.
In the meantime the Campaign Group, led by Babs Shaw, wish to add their voice to ours and to raise their concerns at the highest political and managerial levels of the Council.
- Here is the full response from the road safety team
Can the crossing assessment times be altered?
No as the base data which is used to assess if a location is suitable for a crossing is known as the PV2 value. This is a nationally recognised value that indicates the number of passing vehicles and pedestrians. Pedestrian and vehicle counts are taken over the peak hours of a week day between both 7am to 10am and 3pm to 6pm, and avoid any school holidays or other factors which may skew results. These times generally represent the busiest periods for pedestrians and vehicles and give the highest assessment results. These times also include school entry and exit times.
Can we have a pedestrian crossing outside the school?
The assessment process generates an adjusted PV2 value, which is used to determine whether improvements are required to crossing facilities and the most appropriate type of crossing facility for that location. The predominant factors in the calculation of this value are the volumes of pedestrians crossing the road (P) and passing vehicles (V) that are recorded in the surveys that are undertaken. These give a base PV2 value, which is then adjusted by a series of factors that take account of:
• the numbers of children using the crossing point
• the numbers of elderly and disabled people using the crossing point
• the numbers of buses & HGVs passing the crossing point
• pedestrian accidents within the last three years
• the width of the road
• the speed of passing traffic
• the number of nearby trip-attractors (e.g. schools, shops, leisure and community facilities etc.)
A location with an adjusted PV2 value of 1 or higher (2 or higher on a dual carriageway) would be considered for a puffin crossing, locations with a value of 0.3 or higher would be considered for a suite of measures that includes a zebra crossing, a refuge island or pavement build-outs. If a very low PV2 value is achieved no additional crossing facilities may be recommended.
I can confirm that a crossing assessment was recently undertaken in October 2017. This resulted in a low adjusted PV2 value of 0.110. Therefore, no additional facilities will be implemented at this time as the build outs that are in place are acceptable for the crossing demand.
Can speed cameras be installed?
Police Scotland is responsible for the delivery and operation of the Scottish Safety Camera Programme, which is funded by the Scottish Government. The Scottish Safety Camera Programme Handbook 2015 sets out the rules and guidance for the programme in Scotland, including criteria that apply nationally and require to be satisfied before safety cameras can be considered for installation.
Can Bo’ness Road have a 20mph speed limit applied?
The current 20mph network was approved by the Transport and Environment Committee on 13 January 2015. In developing the network, a consistent approach was applied across the city using a set of criteria to establish a network of 20mph streets in the city centre, main shopping and residential streets while retaining a strategic network of roads at 30 and 40 mph on key arterial routes.
The introduction of the citywide 20mph network is a major project for the Council, taking in a high percentage of streets. It is likely that as a result of surveys, monitoring and public feedback, there will be some post implementation adjustments. This may involve further changes to speed limits, both within 20mph zones and possibly on some strategic routes which have retained higher speed limits. Comments raised through this consultation in relation to a reduction to 20mph are being recorded which will form a review of the project. The results of this review will be reported to Transport and Environment Committee in Spring 2019.
I have passed on to the 20mph team the desire that those present at the meeting had for Bo’ness Road to be reduced to 20mph.
Carry out Speed Survey’s on Bo’ness Road and Builyeon Road to influence enforcement if required.
Bo’ness Road (outwith PT20mph) shows an average speed of 31.1mph over 7 days. This does not raise any cause for concern on a road with a speed limit of 30mph.
Bo’ness Road (within PT20mph) shows an average speed of 27.8mph over 7 days. This again does not raise any cause for concern on a road with a speed limit of 30mph. However, the 5 day average recorded speeds during school entry and exit times, when the PT20mph limit was operational was 26mph. This therefore shows that enforcement is required to remind drivers of the part time 20mph limit.
The locality team have agreed to cut back any vegetation that may be affecting drivers visibility of the part time 20mph signage.
Can Vehicle Activated Speed Signs (VASS) be installed on Bo’ness Road?
A report was presented to the Transport, Infrastructure and Environment Committee on 4 May 2010, which approved a set of criteria for the future use of this technology. Unfortunately, Bo’ness Road has failed to meet the criteria for VASS to be installed.
Can links to all council approved processes that the Road Safety team work to be provided?
Pedestrian Crossings – http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/download/meetings/id/8638/pedestrian_crossing_prioritisation_process
Independently of the 20mph Programme, the Road Safety Team undertakes an annual collision investigation into all streets within the City. From this analysis it is possible to determine locations where the collision rate is giving cause for concern and where road safety remedial works may require to be implemented.
These remedial works are targeted at priority locations and spending is targeted towards areas which will have the greatest potential for collision reduction benefits. This needs to be seen against a level of almost 1200 collisions in Edinburgh every year.
Bo’ness Road has not been identified as a site for concern through this process.
Why do other schools in South Queensferry have traffic calming surrounding them?
The traffic calming around the other schools in Queensferry was installed as part of the Safer Routes to Schools programme, which was carried out in the mid-2000’s. The streets surrounding Echline Primary (excluding Bo’ness Road as it was classed as a ‘main route’) were all included as part of this work.
Getting action on pot holes and broken pavements
Today was budget day in the Council. Along with our fellow Liberal Democrat councillors, we proposed an extra £4.5 million to sort out the disgraceful state of roads and pavements in the city. This was 5 times what the SNP/Labour administration were proposing in terms of additional investment.
Kevin used his budget speech to talk about why this investment was so important to sort out pot holes and broken pavements in many of the areas we represent.
Unfortunately, SNP and Labour councillors running the city rejected our proposals. We will keep fighting to get action in our communities but that job has been made more difficult by the refusal of the administration to invest the money needed.
Major roadworks planned for Barnton junction and Queensferry Road (Feb/Mar 2018)
We have been informed of major road works to resurface parts of the Barnton junction and Queensferry Road. These will start on 26 February and involve closures, temporary traffic lights and diversions so it is important for people to plan ahead.
The works will take place in the evenings and at night in order to avoid the busy peak traffic periods. The roads should be open as normal during the day.
Details of local bus diversions can be found here
- 26 February – 11 March: Barnton junction resurfacing
The junction carriageway on the Queensferry Road at the junction with Whitehouse Road is to be completely resurfaced. These works should take around two weeks to do but could be completed earlier if there is good weather.
The works will start at 7pm each weekday evening with the noisier operations stopping at 11pm. Quieter work will continue into the early hours of the morning. This will allow the works to be carried out during times of low traffic volumes and therefore reduces the risk of congestion and delay.
The junction will be open to traffic from 7am-7pm each day as normal. However, when work is being carried out in the evening and at night, the junction will be closed to east bound traffic along Queensferry Road.
A diversion system will therefore operate along Whitehouse Road, Gamekeeper’s Road and Cramond Road South when the east bound part of Queensferry Road is closed. Residents here should therefore expect a significant increase in city bound traffic during this time. You can see a detailed map showing the diversion arrangement here.
Map showing the diversion during Barnton junction works
- 12 – 25 March: Queensferry Road surfacing
The second part of the resurfacing works will take place on Queensferry Road near the Parkgrove shops.
These are due to start on 12 March and will take two weeks, subject to weather. Just like the Barnton junction works, the resurfacing will take place each weekday evening from 7pm and with the noisier operations stopping at 11pm. Again, this will allow the works to be carried out during times of low traffic volumes and therefore reduces the risk of congestion and delay.
The junction will be open to traffic from 7am-7pm each day as normal. However, when work is being carried out, the entrance to Barnton Park Drive from Queensferry Road will be closed off. Access to and from the Barton Park estate will have to be via Barnton Grove and Whitehouse Road.
The flow of traffic along Queensferry Road will be controlled using temporary traffic lights and a contraflow. You can see a detailed map showing some of these arrangements here.
Map showing works and contraflow arrangements on Queensferry Road
Whilst we are pleased to see that works are being timetabled to try and minimise disruption, the nature of the junction and the Queensferry Road means we still expect delays. We would encourage all our constituents to plan ahead and allow more time for their journeys.
Changes made to South Scotstoun housing plan
All those who (like us) objected to the proposed new housing development at South Scotstoun should have received a notification about planning application changes recently submitted by Taylor Wimpey.
The original application was submitted back in December 2016. Since then, it has been subject to review by planning officials before it going before the Planning Committee for a final decision.
In terms of the recent changes made:
- The general layout remains broadly the same, although the number of units has actually increased slightly to 341. There has been a significant reduction in proposed car parking space to 592 spaces from the original 792 spaces.
- The main changes have been to the design and layout of the houses and flats next to the central area around the proposed public open space, where the flats are and the link south to the east/west cycle way. The orientation of the houses on the far east of the proposed development have also been altered.
- There have been other minor changes in relation to orientation of some units within the plots to provide better overlooking of spaces and avoid blank gables.
However, the overall proposals remain very similar to that submitted before. We will let people know when a date is set for the application to go before the planning committee.
Dalmeny Park residents say ‘no’ to through-road closure
Just before Christmas, we carried out an extensive survey of residents living in the Dalmeny Park development. This followed serious concerns about the volume of traffic now passing through the estate as a direct result of the Queensferry Crossing opening and the new roads layout.
We got almost 200 responses which really underlines the strong views which exist. Over 80% of respondents said there was a problem with traffic.
We asked about the suggestion made to us that the road exiting the estate to the north via Dalmeny Station could be closed off to prevent through traffic. However, 64% of respondents said they were opposed to this suggestion, with only 35% in favour.
79% were in favour of the installation of new safety posts at the corners of roads to prevent cars from coming onto the pavements. 89% agreed that re-opening the A90 slip road at the old Forth Road Bridge roundabout would make a difference.
We will continue to push for the re-opening of the A90 slip road, the Scotstoun Avenue traffic calming and pursue the idea of new safety posts. We will be working to keep the residents at Dalmeny Park informed.