Tag: traffic

Transport convener: “Edinburgh does not need to be dominated by vehicles”

City Council Transport Convener Lesley Macinnes has announced plans to work toward regular, vehicle-free days in the capital’s city centre. Continue reading Transport convener: “Edinburgh does not need to be dominated by vehicles”

Dancing in the streets of Drylaw as road re-opens … but D Mains braced for traffic misery

They were dancing in the streets of Drylaw at the weekend when the SGN maintenance programme came to an end at last and Groathill Road North fully reopened. Continue reading Dancing in the streets of Drylaw as road re-opens … but D Mains braced for traffic misery

More roadworks misery as SGN to work on Crewe Road South for THREE MONTHS

Temporary traffic lights on Crewe Road South for thirteen weeks

Just when you thought local traffic disruption couldn’t get any worse … here’s a message from SGN: 

SGN Alert – Crewe Road South

We’re investing £75,000 to upgrade our gas network in Crewe Road South, Edinburgh.

This essential work involves replacing old, metal gas mains with new plastic pipe, which has a minimum lifespan of 80 years, to ensure a continued safe and reliable gas supply for the local area.

Following discussions with Edinburgh City Council, the work will begin on Monday 21 May.

We’ll be working in Crewe Road South between its junctions with Grigor Avenue and the entrance to the Western General Hospital. Temporary traffic lights will be in place in the road, including at the entrance to the hospital, for the duration of our work. We’ll be manually controlling the lights at peak times to reduce disruption.

We understand this is a busy route and advise motorists and those visiting the hospital to allow more time for journeys.

If you have any other specific enquiries about this project, please call us on 0131 469 1728 during office hours 8am – 4pm or 0800 912 1700 and our customer service team will be happy to help.

Please share this information with anyone who may be impacted by our work.

Thank you for your support while we carry out this work.

Meanwhile, the work on Pennywell Road and Groathill Road North continues. The project started on 8th January and is scheduled to take 15 weeks. In the meantime Groathill Road North remains closed to southbound 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