Edinburgh roads: Continuous cycleway, better crossings and quiet route proposed for Fountainbridge
Edinburgh roads: Continuous cycleway, better crossings and quiet route proposed for Fountainbridge.
A new cycleway, improved crossings, and a quiet route are proposed for Edinburgh’s Fountainbridge district as part of a new scheme to improve walking and cycling conditions.
However, the Edinburgh council ideas include several potentially contentious features, such as nine “floating” bus stops, which require passengers to cross a cycle lane, and some narrow pavements.
A public consultation is underway. And the pedestrian campaign organisation Living Streets Edinburgh is hosting a Zoom meeting next week where people can learn more about the ideas and ask concerns.
The Dundee Street / Fountainbridge Active Travel Project intends to improve walking, wheeling, and cycling infrastructure along Dundee Street and throughout Fountainbridge.
The plan includes a continuous cycleway on both sides of Dundee Street and Fountainbridge from Ardmillan Place in the west to Ponton Street in the east, as well as a quiet route along Ashley Drive, Ogilvie Terrace, Harrison Gardens, West Bryson Road, Bryson Road, and Fowler Terrace.
The goal is to provide an alternative route for cyclists who are now using the increasingly congested Union Canal towpath.
Starting from the west at the busy intersection of Henderson Terrace, Angle Park Terrace, and Dundee Street, here are the specifics of what is proposed.
Henderson Terrace/Angle Park Terrace/Dundee Street
Henderson Terrace will remain a two-way roadway, but only buses and bikes will be permitted to turn right from Dundee roadway or left from Angle Park Terrace.
General traffic would continue to reach Henderson Terrace via the West Approach Road.
Pedestrian crossings will be installed on all sides of the junction, where people already enjoy crossing. The pavement at the Athletic Arms, often known as Diggers, will be enlarged.
Dundee Street (Henderson Terrace – Yeaman Place)
New cycle lanes will be created, separated from automobiles by a kerb. The council claims that there will be improved pavements, crossings, and public space. A new traffic light junction will be built between Yeaman Place and Dundee Street.
A modal filter will also be installed at the intersection of Fowler Terrace and Dundee Street, preventing vehicles from going between the two streets, resulting in fewer vehicles on residential streets, making them quieter and safer.
Dundee Street (Yeaman Place – Viewforth)
The image depicts the junction of Dundee Street and Gibson Terrace, highlighting the continuous cycleway and pavement, as well as enhanced crossings.
The council claims that the improvements along this length of the route will make it easier to get between the Telfer Subway and the Union Canal via Gibson Terrace.
According to the report, the adjustments will make it easier for visitors to travel to Roseburn, Dalry, the Canal, and the Meadows.
Dundee Street and Fountainbridge (Drysdale Road – Grove Street)
In addition to the vehicle-protected cycle lanes, the designs include a new zebra and bike crossing at Drysdale Road, allowing people to walk and cycle safely. One bus stop will be relocated to a “better spot” according to the council.
And one crossing will be shifted to where people normally cross the road. There will be continuous footways, which are walkways that continue across side roads, eliminating the need for people to halt.
And the council proposes “bus stop bypasses” – a method for cyclists to get around bus stops – yet these appear to be floating bus stops with bus shelters attached.
There will also be a new bike lane on Grove Street, with bikes allowed to go both ways, even if vehicles can’t.
Fountainbridge (Grove Street – Ponton Street)
The image depicts the junction of Gardner’s Crescent, where the council claims the initiative will improve safety by making it easier for cyclists to turn.
The protected cycleways continue, as do more “bus stop bypasses” or floating bus stops. According to the council, the connection to Lochrin Basin will be improved, making it easier to access the Union Canal.
These renovations will also connect with other nearby schemes, making it easier to walk and cycle to Lothian Road and the Union Canal at Lochrin Basin.
Quiet Route (Ashley Drive – Fowler Terrace)
The Quiet Route, which provides an alternative for cyclists utilising the Union Canal towpath, goes through Ashley Drive, Ogilvie Terrace, Harrison Gardens, West Bryson Road, Bryson Road, and Fowler Terrace.
It generally lacks segregated cycleways, but certain limits on motor traffic are intended. For example, a ‘filter’ on Harrison Gardens would stop general through-traffic; there will be no car access to/from Dundee Street from Fowler Terrace.
In addition, three zebra crossings are proposed on Ashley Terrace, Harrison Gardens, and Harrison Road, as well as other pavement improvements.
Living Streets is hosting a Zoom meeting to learn more about the plan on Monday, November 3 at 2 p.m. People can register their spot at A Living Streets briefing applauds the proposed increased crossing opportunities, including those at the Henderson Terrace junction, as well as the shortened side roads with continuous footways, which they claim will reduce traffic and improve walking.
Living Streets is organising a Zoom meeting to hear about the scheme on Monday 3 November at 2.00pm. People can register their place here:
A Living Streets briefing welcomes the additional crossing opportunities proposed, including those at the Henderson Terrace junction, and the narrowed side roads with continuous footways, which they say calm traffic and enhance walking.
Read more on Straightwinfortoday.com
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.