Tag: traffic

£22 million to repair North Bridge

Edinburgh’s historic North Bridge is set to undergo a major programme of refurbishment, subject to committee approval. A series of structural repairs will help safeguard the long-term use of the Grade A-listed bridge, built in 1896, as a vital city centre link between the Old and New Towns.
On Thursday, members of the Transport and Environment Committee will consider proposals for the £22m project, which would include steelwork repairs, repainting and repair of the cast iron façade and the replacement of joints across the bridge.
The project will benefit from £10m funding approved in the 2018/19 budget, set by Council on Thursday, 22 February, adding to an existing £12m allocated under the Capital Investment Programme 2018-2023.
The repairs will inevitably mean more travel disruption across the city centre.
Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Lesley Macinnes, said: “This historic bridge is a familiar and much-loved focal point in the city centre, and it’s clear that it requires some much-needed restoration. I am delighted that, thanks to prudent financial management, we will be able to progress with a series of repairs, ensuring the longevity of this iconic structure.”
Inspections to North Bridge carried out in 2014 identified a number of defects, resulting in the removal of loose material and installation of netting to make the underside of the bridge safe. Assessments have confirmed that there has been no impact on the bridge’s load carrying capacity.
A major contractor with experience of similar projects was engaged early in the process in light of the complexity of the scheme, which is due to the bridge’s location over a working railway station. The contractor was appointed through the National Civil Engineering and Infrastructure lot of the Scape Group Framework Agreement.
If the scope of refurbishment works is approved by Transport and Environment Committee, the contract to deliver this will be considered by Finance and Resources Committee for approval, with the refurbishment expected to begin in the summer.
On Thursday, members will also hear about the potential for additional enhancements to public realm on the bridge, such as widened and decluttered footpaths and carriageway resurfacing.  Outline design work is currently underway for these improvements, taking into account the principles of the Central Edinburgh Transformation Project, for which funding is yet to be identified. Final proposals will be reported back to Transport and Environment Committee.
Read the full report, North Bridge Refurbishment, on the Council website and watch the Transport and Environment Committee live via webcast from 10am on Thursday.
Core Works to North Bridge
  • Structural steelwork repairs.
  • Grit blasting and repainting of the structural steelwork.
  • Repairs to the cast iron façades.
  • Grit blasting and repainting of the cast iron façades.
  • Repairs to the underside of the bridge’s concrete deck.
  • Improvements to the structural drainage systems.
  • Replacement of expansion joints.
  • Restoration of, and repairs to, the King’s Own Scottish Borderers War Memorial (located on the east plinth of the bridge’s south pier).
  • Installation of permanent platforms to improve access provisions for future inspection and minor maintenance.
  • All temporary scaffolding required to access the structure.

Police appeal after abandoned car causes City Bypass chaos

Police in Edinburgh are appealing for witnesses after a road traffic collision on the A720 Edinburgh City By-pass yesterday. The collision happened around 6.10 am, when the driver of a black Ford Focus involved in the collision abandoned his car at the scene, causing considerable disruption to traffic. Continue reading Police appeal after abandoned car causes City Bypass chaos

Have your say on Randolph Place proposals

Members of the public are invited to a drop-in session next week outlining proposed changes to Randolph Place as part of the City Centre West to East Cycle Link and Street Design project. The drop-in session will take place on Tuesday (20 February) from 1pm-7pm at Harry’s Bar, 7B Randolph Place. Continue reading Have your say on Randolph Place proposals

Streets of shame

A new study by Friends of the Earth Scotland ranking the country’s most polluted streets confirms that air pollution remains a public health crisis plaguing Scotland. West Edinburgh blackspots St John’s Road and Queensferry Road figure prominently among the most polluted in the country once again – and they are joined by Leith’s Salamander Street on the latest lists. Continue reading Streets of shame

Police issue travel warning

Drivers across Scotland are reminded to travel with caution during this evening and tomorrow morning’s rush hour.

A Met Office yellow warning for ice and snow is currently in place across almost every area of Scotland. You can check if these warnings apply to where you live and work here. Police Scotland advice remains to travel with extra caution, and to keep informed in case of any changes in weather or traffic disruption.  Continue reading Police issue travel warning

Campaign group Living Streets calls for clean air zones to tackle killer pollution

A report in medical journal The Lancet says NINE MILLION people worldwide died as a result of pollution in 2015. Charity Living Streets is calling for clean air zones to tackle toxic traffic fumes across the UK. Continue reading Campaign group Living Streets calls for clean air zones to tackle killer pollution

Queensferry Crossing proves just too popular

Demand for the Queensferry Crossing has been ‘unprecedented’ since it came into operation in the early hours of Wednesday morning. The new bridge became fully open to traffic just before 3am, when Police Scotland redirected the first drivers from the Forth Road Bridge. Early indications are that traffic will be just as heavy today so drivers are being urged to allow adequate time for their journeys.

As predicted, given the novelty of the bridge, traffic was exceptionally busy with many people looking to experience it for the first time.  Peak traffic began earlier than usual yesterday from around 6am and continued throughout the day, with drivers experiencing lengthy delays..

Economy Secretary Keith Brown said: “With the opening of the Queensferry Crossing, we are seeing the culmination of the biggest infrastructure project that Scotland has seen for a generation.

“The Scottish people have been so engaged with it at every step of its development.  It is a fantastic structure and the weather this morning proved a perfect backdrop for all those who wanted to be a part of this historic day.  This is leading to large volumes of traffic on the approaches which is causing some delays.

“People are very excited about this opportunity and we appreciate the patience that they are showing when waiting to cross.  We would ask drivers wishing to use the new Crossing to leave plenty of time for their journeys and to check the Traffic Scotland Twitter feed and website for the latest information on journey times before they set-off.”

Speaking yesterday afternoon, Traffic Scotland Operator Manager Stein Connelly said: “It has been a busy day at The National Traffic Control Centre with the opening of the new crossing and drivers experiencing the road layout for the first time.

“The bridge itself is free flowing but there are delays on the approach roads  –  mainly down to the volume of traffic looking to cross the new bridge. We expect this to continue into the evening and would strongly urge people to check the latest travel situation before they set off on their journey and to leave plenty of extra time.

“We are looking forward to a really busy time with the celebratory events in the next few days.  We are encouraging people to really think about their travel plans and to avoid the area if they can at the weekend and at the beginning of next week.  Traffic will switch back onto the Forth Road Bridge on Friday for the these opening events and road users should check  The Forth Bridges website for all of the details.”

All road traffic will use the Queensferry Crossing again today with the Forth Road Bridge open to cyclists and pedestrians only.

All traffic will use the Forth Bridge from tomorrow (Friday 1st September) until Wednesday 6 September to allow for the Queensferry Crossing opening celebrations. The new Queensferry Crossing will re-open to all traffic on 7 Septembe, and from this date the Forth Road Bridge will remain open to cyclists and pedestrians only, while roadworks to the north are completed.

Delays are already being reported on the approaches to the Queensferry Crossing this morning, and motorists are advised to allow plenty of time for their journeys.

 

 

Mascots kick off Phase 2 of 20mph rollout

Mascots from Hibs and Hearts joined 20mph ‘champion’ The Reducer, local politicians and officers from Police Scotland on the track at Meadowbank Sports Centre yesterday to mark the kick-off of the latest stage in Edinburgh’s rollout of slower speeds in residential and shopping streets. Continue reading Mascots kick off Phase 2 of 20mph rollout