Hello Everybody, Presenting to you- a consultation invitation for our very own solution to the cycle track nightmare. It has been designed by local people for local people: for cyclists, for walkers, for drivers, for traders, for residents. The Roseburn Vision argues how cyclists might best make the journey from Roseburn to Haymarket at a fraction of the cost of the Council scheme, without ruining the area. Our vision is based on local knowledge and experience; we have (unlike the officers) spent many years observing the traffic flow , cycling black spots, road usage and pedestrian needs. Those who want to help pay for the costs of this consultation can do so by going to https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/TheRoseburnVision . I would very much appreciate help here- I am overdrawn due to the costs of this campaign. Our scheme aims to subvent the one about to be launched by the cycling officers to the Transport Committee. Generally, it improves access to the National Cycle Route 1. However, we know that Spokes members may seek to get from West to East in minutes, so we propose changes to West Coates that will satisfy their needs, requiring the removal of on-street parking and the creation of a cycle lane on either side of the A8. The Roseburn Vision proposes an elegant means to join the Roseburn Cycle path to the rest of the Roseburn-Leith cycle route that is both safer for vulnerable cyclists and pedestrians but also easier to implement and has the additional benefit of actually reducing congestion to vehicle traffic and lowering dangerous emissions. We now call upon the area’s residents to comment on our scheme, our consultation will, of necessity, be speedy; the cycling officers are about to release their revised scheme. Please could everybody in Edinburgh complete the Survey Monkey questionnaire at www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/roseburn The survey form can be dowloaded from http://www.kidsnotsuits.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/AltCycleRoute_1.pdf The form will be in the shops from today; it may be easier to read the map on a printed A3 sheet!! Due to the pressure of time, we can only consult on-line. Please complete the survey by noon Sunday 5th June. We are indebted to the Donaldson’s Area Amenity Association for many of the suggestions we put forward now, in the proposal they submitted to the Council on the 29th January. There will be a drop-in event at Roseburn Café , Roseburn Terrace on Wednesday 1st June from 5pm until 9pm if you have questions. The 22 changes we propose are numbered on the map for ease of reference in the on-line survey. Briefly, see them in detail below: 1. Bollards at Roseburn Park entrance to prevent parking and obstruction of passage. Also to indicate traffic danger to kids with new play park in mind. 2. Roseburn Place: One-way traffic down Roseburn Place to prevent rat-running. No street closures. 3. One side of Roseburn Place to be marked for exclusive cycle use as 2-way cycle lane 4. Roseburn Street: possible signalised crossing to help cyclists to cross from Roseburn Place to existing cycle path on pavement of far side of Roseburn Street to the existing cycle path 5. Retain existing cycle path on pavement 6. The traffic stop line re-sited to line that abuts pub boundary and housing, with a filter to allow traffic right onto Roseburn Street (as it did before the Maltings was constructed) These signals to be synchronised with Roseburn Terrace lights 7. Russell Road: City Car Club parking repositioned. 8. Replace parking with protected cycle track, two-way, for 45 m, on Russell Road 9. Additional traffic signals on Russell Road (to allow drivers to filter right to A8) 10. Traffic signal with right filter for traffic from Russell Road to get to A8 (since Roseburn Place rat-run will no longer be available) 11. Green man crossing at Roseburn Terrace outside Roseburn Bar 6: Numbered in error- Cyclists to use half the wide pavement to get to ramp leading towards Granton cycle path and NCR1. 12. Signage for Haymarket and NCR1 (Improved signage will help cyclists see route to Haymarket) 13. Signage for Haymarket and NCR1 through Balbirnie On NCR1, for those cyclists fearful of tramlines we have two suggestions to assist them in getting to Magdala Crescent (thereby avoiding the dangers of Haymarket completely) Alternative route A, to create access through new housing to Devon Place to Magdala Crescent: this requires cutting a 3’ gap in the wall to the new housing and re-arranging fencing and railing to get to it. The residents at the new housing must comment on this idea, since it affects their amenity. It requires actions 14-16 14. Alternative route A: Cut fence 15. Alternative route A: Cut 3’ gap in wall 16. Alternative route A: Cut gap in railing 17. Cycle lanes on Devon Place. This is a cobbled street, but there is no other route to West Coates. The lanes could be outlined, rather than a solid block of paint, which would possibly wear quickly 18. If Residents are overwhelmingly against creating access to NCR1 past their homes, there is alternative route B to create access to Devon Place and Magdala Crescent: this requires a route up the side of the Inland Revenue offices, cutting through two fences and across waste land to connect to the ramp beside the underground car park and up onto Devon Place. It requires actions 19-20 19. Cut gap in fence into waste land 20. Create access to existing ramp up to Devon Place. Once through Devon Place, cyclists can use Magdala Crescent, which would lead to cycle lanes on Eglinton Crescent and eventually past the cathedral onto Melville Street, where our route connects up with the Council’s current proposals. This solution keeps cyclists away from the dangerous tram lines and heavy Haymarket traffic and allows the taxi rank to remain as is. Eglinton Crescent and Landsdowne Crescent could be made one-way to further enhance cyclist safety 21. West Coates: this faster route will take cyclists from Roseburn to Haymarket: the road surface needs improving and the current free on -street parking on the main road restricts traffic, for both cyclists and buses and should be removed. 22. Cycle lanes on either side of West Coates - could be shared with buses. CYCLE TERMS Cycle Lane = route along part of main road marked in brown paint that is for cyclists. Can be used by buses and taxis and cars in emergencies. Cyclists usually travel in same direction as other vehicles on their side of the carriageway (but allowed in both directions on 1-way street) Cycle path = route for cyclists that can be shared with pedestrians if needs be. Can be part of pavement. 2-way cycling traffic Protected Cycle Track = route along part of main road sectioned off for cycling use raised kerb. Cannot be used by other vehicles. 2-way cycling traffic Please spread the word! I hope to try and get the revised vision, with the approval of as many people as possible, to the next Transport & Environment Committee meeting on the 7th June. I shall try and get the Council to cost our bid, the better to ensure they see the value of it. Best wishes Pete Gregson www.kidsnotsuits.com/stop-the-west-coates-cycle-track-petition-to-edinburgh-council/