screenshot of consultation picture
map of area affected
spokes draft response, page 1
Edinburgh BioQuarter Active Travel Gaps Consultation - Spokes Response draft
General Comments
The proposed active travel improvements are strongly supported and will fill a major missing link in the city's active travel network. The route will connect key trip generators with significant numbers of housing in addition to existing active travel routes.
Efforts should be made to further reduce instances of shared space between pedestrians and cyclists to reduce conflict for both users.
At continuous footways, the cycleway material and colour should continue over the side-street as seen on CCWEL and other CEC projects.
Wayfinding should be included as part of the project to enhance the use and navigability of the route. Connections to routes such as QuietRoute 61, the existing bioQuarter network and east-west routes through Midlothian.
Detailed Comments
Connection to Shawfair Spine Road (Southern extents of proposed route)
The cycleway should be easy to join for those travelling on-road from south of the roundabout. The indicative drawings appear to have overlooked the the existing uncontrolled cycle crossing.
The speed limit reduction on this corridor is supported in the interests of road safety.
Connection to Roslin to Shawfair Path
At the pinch point under the structure, options should be investigated to mitigate the significantly compromised footway and cycleway. This could include installing contraflow traffic signals for vehicle traffic.
Given the adjacent shared use path connection and low footfall, the section under the structure may be better suited as a 2.8m wide shared use area.
spokes draft response, page 2
A7 Old Dalkeith Road and Newton Church Road Junction
The eastern pedestrian crossing should be brought closer to the desire line of the junction. If this is not possible, the large buffer space could be used for rain gardens or other SUDS.
Suitable cycle detection should be provided in advance of the junction to activate the cycleway traffic signal phase.
A7 Old Dalkeith Road and The Wisp Junction
A parallel north/south cycle crossing should be added at the junction, reducing pedestrian conflict. This would remove all shared use space to the north of the junction and reduce the 2.9m pinch point to the south.
Hatching should be included to better delineate the right turn pocket for vehicle traffic.
A7 Old Dalkeith Road and B701 Ferniehill Road Junction
The substantial pedestrian and cycle improvements at this junction are strongly supported.
Consideration should be given to future proofing a two-way segregated connection to/from Ferniehill Road given potential development in the area.
If the gap adjacent to the gates is for joining cycles, suitable give way markings should be added. If this gap is potentially to be used by vehicles, clear cycle symbols should additionally be added over the gap to highlight cycle priority.
The Tweedsmuir Gait junction could be offset, so as to provide stacking space for vehicles and reduce vehicle obstructions of the cycleway while queuing.
A7 Old Dalkeith Road / Little France Road junction
The segregation should be continued closer to the junction, creating a smaller transition area for southbound cyclists directly adjacent to the pedestrian crossing.
Gap Site 5
The proposed gap site route is supported as a more direct and deliverable option.
The cycleway on Little France Road should be continued further west, reducing the area of shared use and reducing conflict.
#Bioquarter - #Sheriffhall
🙋♀️ Consultn closes Sunday (Mar 2)
--> survey123.arcgis.com/share/bd1d94...
Our draft response below
send us any comments
@edi.bike @chdot.bsky.social @boffer.bsky.social @da-anderson.bsky.social @jestermouse.bsky.social @harryjwilliams.bsky.social @cellysally.bsky.social
