It’s fair to say North Edinburgh has it’s fair share of road repairs going on at the moment!
Tag: Roads
Week of action to tackle road litter
A call to clean up and clamp down on litter on Scotland’s roads has been issued for Scotland’s first Litter Week of Action.
Organised by Zero Waste Scotland on behalf of the Transport Litter Group, the annual day of action has been extended to a week of dedicated action to tackle litter on our roads and railways.
Commuters, employers, and transport providers and support agencies are all being encouraged to get involved from 19– 25 August.
A recent litter audit has revealed that an average of seven bottles and cans can be found on every 100 metres of Scotland’s roads, creating a hazard to road users and wildlife, and costs millions to remove.
Supporters of the Week can help to raise awareness of the negative impact and cost of transport litter. Actions available range from something simple such as adding a web banner to your website or displaying a poster in your workplace; to organising activities such as a day of awareness raising activities or targeted enforcement.
Organisations including BEAR Scotland, Scotland TranServ, Transport Scotland, McDonald’s and various local authorities have already committed to taking part in the Week.
The week of action follows the launch of a new consultation from the Scottish Government which intends to bring forward a final National Litter Strategy – the first since devolution – early in 2014. The “Towards a Litter Free Scotland” consultation will run until 27 September.
Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said: “It is shocking that on average there are four plastic bottles and three drinks cans littered on every 100 metres of our major roads in Scotland. It’s a blight, contributes to punctures and can cause accidents not to mention the fact that clearing it from our road and rail sides is a hazardous task.
“Littering is unacceptable – and in the Year of Natural Scotland and as we approach 2014 when we welcome the world to Scotland, it’s important that we show our country at its best. We have set out action to tackle Scotland’s litter problem in our National Litter Strategy consultation and are asking people to have their say on this during the summer.
“This Litter Week of Action is a great opportunity to highlight this issue and I’d encourage people to work together by taking action during the week so that we can show that littering is not tolerated here.”
Iain Gulland, Director, Zero Waste Scotland said: “2014 is set to be an important year for Scotland, with events including the Ryder Cup, Commonwealth Games and Homecoming, and as such it’s vital that we take steps to rid the country of its litter problem and show it off at its absolute best.
“Litter on the road and in transport hubs doesn’t just look bad, it’s also a waste of valuable resources. Commonly littered items like drinks bottles and cans could be recycled and help to boost the economy.
“I would urge everyone to get involved in this great week of planned activity and help to spread the message that throwing litter from vehicles or public transport is not acceptable.”
To get involved, visit
http://www.zerowastescotland.org.uk/content/Transport-Litter-Week-of-Action.
Respect! Road users urged to embrace the Nice Way Code
Transport Minister Keith Brown was joined by representatives from Cycling Scotland and the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) yesterday to officially launch a ground-breaking new campaign aimed at all road users.
Starting on 5 August, the Nice Way Code campaign will target pedestrians, cyclists and motorists and ask them to respect one another while out on the road. It asks people to make small changes to their behaviour on the roads, in order to make them a safer and more pleasant place for everyone. The campaign asks drivers to give cyclists more space and overtake them with care, and to look carefully for pedestrians crossing, while cyclists are asked to obey red lights and not cycle on the pavement. Pedestrians are included too, with messages about not trying to cross the road while looking at your phone.
The campaign uses TV ads, accompanied by a poster campaign which uses a humourous take on everyday road signs to deliver the serious messages in an upbeat way which encourages road users to be more respectful of each other, with the key message of ‘Let’s All Get Along. Follow the Nice Way Code.’
Funded by Transport Scotland and initiated by Cycling Scotland, the Nice Way Code campaign has the backing of major organisations that represent road users, such as the IAM, Sustrans, Paths for All and the AA.
Transport Minister Keith Brown said: “The Nice Way Code campaign seeks to build a culture of tolerance and patience between cyclists, motorists, pedestrians and all other road users across Scotland.
“While the numbers of road casualties in Scotland are at their lowest ever level there is still simply no room for complacency. One death on Scotland’s roads is one too many and our focus is on working with key safety partners to reduce the numbers further. I believe this campaign will play its part in making Scotland’s roads safer for all users in the future and raise awareness that road safety really is everyone’s responsibility.
“I am also pleased to announce an additional £200,000 worth of funding for implementing the learning from the pilot partnership programme ‘Smarter Choices, Smarter Places’ which will be allocated to local authorities to introduce local mapping, branding and signage to increase local active travel journeys.”
Ian Aitken, chief executive of Cycling Scotland, said: “Road safety is everyone’s responsibility and it is important we move away from the ‘us and them’ mentality of some drivers, cyclists and pedestrians when in fact almost everybody falls into at least two of those categories.
” Road safety is most effectively achieved through a combination of the three E’s – engineering, education and enforcement, so we see this as being a key step towards educating people about the need for consideration of other road users. In conjunction with measures such as Police Scotland’s recent enforcement campaign to support vulnerable road users and a continued programme of infrastructure investment, this campaign will help everyone know how to respect each other in our shared road space.”
Neil Greig, director of policy and research at the IAM, said: “The IAM supports the Nice Way Code campaign because we believe that sharing the road safely is the key to encouraging more cyclists on our roads.
“IAM research suggests that half of drivers already own a bike but only 19% of them actually use it regularly mainly due to safety concerns. If everyone on the roads can work together to reduce stress, give each other more room and stick to the rules then many more people will be encouraged to dig out their bikes and get back in the saddle.”
AA president Edmund King added: “We have been campaigning for years to break down the tribalism which exists on our roads between some drivers and some cyclists. Road users being individuals are all different, so sometimes they don’t conform, make mistakes or fail to show respect for others.
“When we’re on the roads we should be more at one with each other, sharing the space thoughtfully not provocatively. The Nice Way Code is a brilliant way to encourage all road users to get along in harmony, making our journeys calmer and safer.”
Ian Findlay, chief officer of Scottish charity Paths for All said: “We believe it’s important for all users of roads, paths and pavements to respect each other. It makes good sense, nobody wants to be responsible for an accident or be hurt themselves.
“Our goal is for more people to be active through walking and cycling in their everyday lives and we’ll only succeed if it’s safe and welcoming for all of us to do so. If drivers, cyclists and walkers unite in respect and consideration for one another, getting from A to B will be safer and more enjoyable for everyone.”
Superintendent Iain Murray, head of road policing for Police Scotland, said: “Mutual respect among road users can have a positive effect on road safety and I would encourage it at all times. Police Scotland recently held an initiative aimed at improving the safety of vulnerable road users such as cyclists and pedestrians and received positive feedback for our efforts in education and enforcement.
“We have seen in recent weeks the tragic consequences of cyclists and pedestrians being involved in road traffic crashes and incidents and there is a responsibility on all road users to be prepared, act responsibly and be aware of others around them at all times. Police Scotland is committed to keeping people safe on Scotland’s roads and will continue to support campaigns and initiatives which help meet that commitment.”
The initiative goes live on 5 August.
Confusing Muirhouse signs in Muirhouse causing confusion!
Muirhouse man Robert Pearson is confused:
Over recent weeks, months and years contractors and Edinburgh City Council have been completing demolition in the Muirhouse area. Other than the odd articulated vehicles going the wrong way through the estate and driving past Craigroyston Primary school at 8.30am, I can say there hasn’t been any real issues.
But now that the contractors have completed their work the diversion, instruction and warning signs still remain in place, many of which now make no sense at all.
Recent high winds have dislodged the signs from there places high up on lamposts and now many are low down causing a danger to pedestrians and others are turning around when it’s windy.
Photographs show Safedem route out pointing in to the estate and others pictures show diversion ends which ended weeks ago. More dangers sign is the Pedestrians warning is at a height which if caught with the wind could easily strike a passerby.
Muirhouse View is still closed according to signage but in fact it has been open for some weeks, albeit it the road is still like a 4 x 4 track.
Hopefully Edinburgh City Council will arrange for these to be removed as soon as possible, but will they leave the large block of concrete which many of these signs poles are housed in?
Robert Pearson
On the Move in Inverleith
You may recall that we paid tribute to talented Broughton High School students in a previous post about the recent Inverleith Neighbourhood Partnership community conference.
Well, on top of everything else the pupils did to ensure the conference was a success, they also took a few photographs of the event – correction, a few hundred photographs! A (very) small sample is included with this conference report by Broughton pupil Robbie Thomson:
It is always refreshing when Edinburgh youths and local residents alike are provided with the opportunity to pose any queries or concerns they may have in regards to their community. Even more encouraging is when people with the power to influence and change take the time out to listen.
Broughton High School was the venue for the Inverleith Neighbourhood Partnership Community Conference on 15 November, with a focus on transport. Presented by North Edinburgh News’ very own Mr. Dave Pickering, around 100 attendees were given an opportunity to engage in open discussion with key figures of transport in Edinburgh.
The set-up consisted of six different tables; parking, winter weather, road safety, road maintenance, walking/cycling and public transport. Attendees at each table rotated throughout the course of the evening, offering everyone the chance to make their voice heard.
Mr. Tony Lear of Edinburgh City Council discussed winter weather issues at length, and with an admirable clarity. He claimed £750,000 has been funded to the local authorities by the Scottish Government to prevent expansion and water retention in potholes throughout the winter, while also confirming that more funds are to be set aside from the revenue budget for off-road cycle paths. This winter will see pre-treatment and gritting on North Edinburgh cycle paths for the first time. Mr. Lear also noted that local care homes, sheltered accommodation and school access routes are to receive priority treatment.
As parents attended in large numbers, road safety was a particular topic of interest. Many parents raised issues over the poor lighting in local streets over the winter months, and the crossing difficulties at the bottom of East Fettes Avenue. Miss Helen Bourquin also addressed concerns over cycling restrictions in the Comely Bank area.
While the cycling infrastructure in the local area was generally praised, Mr. Phil Noble announced that design standards for walking and cycling in Edinburgh are soon to be revised. The Scottish Government have also recently increased the budget for the marketing of walking and cycling. Mr. Noble also stated that in the next year, 5% of the total transport budget (around £16 million) is to be spent on cycling, which would amount to around £1.5-2 million. There was also praise for Mr. Ian Bieniowski in regards to Lothian Buses pricing system, customer service and general consistency.
Certainly worthy of a special thanks are Broughton High senior pupils Fraser Young and Calum Chapman. Voluntarily, they again devoted their time towards helping set up the technical aspects of the evening, an essential aspect in the event’s overall success – particularly the ‘warm-up’ musical performances from Broughton pupils. The pair regularly volunteer their technical knowledge and organisational acumen in all events throughout the school – they couldn’t have done it without them!
The only downside of an otherwise very encouraging evening was the technical issue with the event’s twitter feed. Broughton High School pupils who had volunteered to help out were given I-Pads to regularly update the event’s twitter feed through the hashtag #inverleithconf, but the server became unresponsive midway through the event.
Nevertheless, the evening generated very positive feedback, on the whole. It would appear that the future is bright for the local residents as far as transport is concerned.
Robbie Thomson, Broughton High School
Ferry Road set for seven months of traffic misery
Traffic at the east end of Ferry Road will be severely disrupted for up to 28 weeks when Scottish Gas Networks begins major work to replace mains pipes at the end of this month. The company says the upgrade to the network is essential, but commuters and local residents look set for seven miserable months of road closures, parking restrictions, diversions and temporary traffic lights.
In a statement, Scottish Gas Networks said: ‘The existing metal gas mains and services in the vicinity of Ferry Road, need to be replaced with modern plastic polyethylene (PE) pipe to ensure a continued safe and reliable gas supply to the local area. We will be renewing 1.75km of gas mains.
This essential work forms part of our ongoing mains replacement programme developed with the Health and Safety Executive. Work will last for approximately 28 weeks and will be carried out by May Gurney on our behalf.
We have been working closely with the City of Edinburgh Council, Lothian and Borders Police and Lothian Buses to plan this project and minimise disruption as much as possible. We will continue to work with these organisations and local residents throughout the course of the project.
Works will begin on Ferry Road, at its junction with Madeira Street and will continue westbound towards Craighall Road. The works will take place in four phases during which time there will be some temporary traffic lights in operation.
Phase 1 works will be between the junction of Ferry Road with Madeira Street and the junction of Ferry Road with Newhaven Road. This phase will last for approximately six – eight weeks.
During Phase 2 we will be working between the junction of Ferry Road with Newhaven Road and Bonar Place. This will take approximately 10 weeks.
Phase 3 will last approximately four weeks. Works will be on Newhaven Road, from the junction with Ferry Road to the junction with Pitt Street.
Phase 4 will also take place on Newhaven Road, between the junction with Bonnington Avenue and the junction with Stewartfield. During this phase there will also be some works on West Bowling Green Street. The phase will last for approximately six weeks.
Works will be suspended from Friday 21 December for the festive period. They will recommence on Monday 7 January.
To allow for the manoeuvre of heavy plant equipment and to ensure everyone’s safety there will be some parking restrictions in place during the works, as well as some local road closures. Local diversions will be in place where necessary.
All local shops and businesses will be open as usual. Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times and access for deliveries to businesses will be maintained where possible.’
While the company plans to mitigate problems for commuters, traders and residents, the scale of the work is going to have a major impact on Ferry Road and adjacent neighbourhoods.
Scotland Gas Networks’ Team Manager, Simon Kennedy said: “All our works are carried out in close consultation with the local Council and we will do everything we can to minimise disruption. We understand that people get frustrated by roadworks and thank them for their patience while we carry out these essential works. The new plastic pipe has a minimum lifespan of 80 years. This means that when the work is complete, local residents will continue to enjoy the benefits of a safe and reliable gas supply for years to come.”
More information is available at www.sgn.co.uk
