We need a solution to put to City of Edinburgh Council, so thinking caps on!
The cycle barriers at the east end of The Paddockholm date from ca 30 years ago when, soon after the estate was built, it was realised that there was an issue with cyclists speeding and also incursion by motorcycles / scooters.
Originally they were situated parallel with the outer boundary fence, but later on were moved inwards to the apex of the blind corner in order to try to slow the faster cyclists down.
The barriers, which are approximately 1 metre wide by 90cms high, were placed 1 metre apart.
Recently, presumably to conform to new regulations, the inner one has been moved and placed 2.3 metres [the recommended gap is 3 metres?] to the east of what was the outer one.
This has had the effect of both moving the barriers away from the bend and also allowing some cyclists to proceed through them at higher speeds as there is now minimal overlap between the barriers. This new configuration further results in cyclists entering the estate meeting head on any pedestrians leaving the estate on their left hand side of the path, that is on the inner side of the bend rather than the outer as previously? There is also now nothing to stop rogue motorcyclists gaining access to the estate via this footpath?
A 19 second YouTube video of a responsible family group of cyclists negotiating the barriers may be viewed here.
My view is that, whilst this modification may have improved access for tandems, bicycles with trailers, tricycles, wheelchairs and mobility scooters, it has increased the risk to pedestrians. Indeed, one female local resident has been in a collision with a speeding BMX that left her with a bruised back.
As the footpath is only a metre wide through the barriers and approximately 2 metres wide overall it provides little room for mixed pedestrian / bicycle etc access? It would seem, therefore, that a re-think is required here to determine the optimal way in which safe shared use can be achieved?
Additionally, the kerb on the pathway from The Paddockholm has been dropped.
However, the re-laid kerb stones have not been grouted with cement mortar and the lawn edges left exposed are liable to break down?
Also, the tarmac that has been laid does not appear to be of a high standard, and does not match the existing surfacing material used?
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