Replacement of HLR / Seafield / Portobello Rd Roundabout

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 11 Dec 2008, 19:49

How very true! And no doubt deadly accurate. Seriously, it looks almost finished to me. I don't get why its going to take 3 or 4 months! Have you always been a roadworks cynic- or realist as you will likely retort.

Grunk · Post by **Grunk** » 12 Dec 2008, 14:32

Just an Engineer, The principles are the same for transport planning as a lot of other fields.
The main impediments are the same also, poor planning by non-technically capable people.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 10 Jan 2009, 14:23

Update from Maureen Child:

Dear All

On Tuesday, I asked for an update on the road works at Seafield/King’s Road and when they were likely (now) to finish.

I have now got a response from Scott Mannion as follows:

Update on Seafield Roundabout as requested

The site re-started on Monday 5 January 2009 following the industry-wide two week Christmas shutdown.

Some traffic signal work was carried out over the Christmas period by the Traffic Signals sub-contractor.

The latest Programme, received just before Christmas and currently being considered by the Project Manager for acceptance, gives an overall completion date of April 3rd. However, the last two weeks is for peripheral works and so the Programme suggests a 'middle of March' opening of the junction to traffic.

This information is based on the last submission of the Contractor working during a 'normal' winter period. The weather could aid or hinder the progress and therefore affect the actual competion date.

So – the disruption continues!

Maureen

BeachBum · Post by **BeachBum** » 10 Jan 2009, 18:27

CLARENCE weekly road report, week commencing 31/12/08 wrote:
NANTWICH DRIVE AT FILLYSIDE ROAD,
NANTWICH DRIVE AT CRAIGENTINNY ROAD,
CRAIGENTINNY CRESCENT AT PORTOBELLO ROAD,
CHRISTIE MILLER AVENUE AT PORTOBELLO ROAD,
SYDNEY TERRACE AT PORTOBELLO ROAD,
VANDELEUR AVENUE AT PORTOBELLO ROAD,
KEKEWICH AVENUE AT PORTOBELLO ROAD,
BRYCE AVENUE AT PORTOBELLO ROAD,
GOFF AVENUE AT PORTOBELLO ROAD,
WAKEFIELD AVENUE AT PORTOBELLO ROAD.

REPLACEMENT OF ROUNDABOUTS WITH SIGNALISED JUNCTIONS. UPGRADE OF PEDESTRIAN CROSSING FACILITIES IN THE SURROUNDING AREA. INTRODUCTION OF BUS LANES. ROADS CLOSED TO THROUGH VEHICULAR TRAFFIC

16/06/08 until 24/12/08

And

CLARENCE weekly road report, week commencing 31/12/08 wrote:

KING’S ROAD,
PORTOBELLO HIGH STREET
SEAFIELD ROAD EAST
PORTOBELLO ROAD
SIR HARRY LAUDER ROAD
WAKEFIELD AVENUE,
GOFF AVENUE
BRYCE AVENUE
KEKEWICH AVENUE
TELFERTON
BRIGHTON PLACE SOUTH SIDE

REPLACEMENT OF ROUNDABOUTS WITH SIGNALISED JUNCTIONS. UPGRADE OF PEDESTRIAN CROSSING FACILITIES IN THE SURROUNDING AREA. INTRODUCTION OF BUS LANES. ROADS SUBJECT TO A PROHIBITION OF WAITING, LOADING AND UNLOADING

16/06/08 until 24/12/08

So if the orders allowing the roads to be closed to through traffic ran out on Christmas eve (the roads which are still blocked off with cones and barriers) and the road report is applicable for the week starting on hogmany, lets hope that the order was extended as technically according to the roads report as it is the barriers etc should have been removed.

Wouldnt it be embarassing (or however you spell it) for the Council if they didnt extend the order but yet still had the roads blocked. Wont really know until the latest weekly roads reports can be examined (have not been put online yet).

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 15 Jan 2009, 15:13

http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/topst ... 4878975.jp

Woeful

seashell · Post by **seashell** » 15 Jan 2009, 15:36

Here's a great quote from the article

"City transport convener Councillor Phil Wheeler said: "The contractor hopes to have the junction open to traffic by the end of March but, as with any project of this nature, this is subject to change.

"The council has no control over factors such as the weather.

"Regular contact is being maintained with the contractor to monitor progress and costs." "

Fair enough - but the concil DOES have control over proper planning. Is it too much to think they should have done risk assessments and foreseen the problems? Oh - and why on earth can't they insist on appropriate staffing to ensure that work gets done at a decent pace. This fiasco is proceeding at a snails pace.

It's a total shambles - but no less than we have come to expect from the Council

SoupDragon · Post by **SoupDragon** » 15 Jan 2009, 16:23

I passed through the roadworks today
Noted 1 guy workinh in a digger!
1 texting
1 smoking
2 blethering

I never know where the give way line is
and the traffic lights seem to have no provision for pedestrians
How anyone is supposed to cross there safely in daylight let alone at night is beyond me

I noticed Wangi's comment and agree totally
When the shrubs and bushes were cut down the whole area was more visible and easier to use

mr magnolia · Post by **mr magnolia** » 15 Jan 2009, 17:57

When the shrubs and bushes were cut down the whole area was more visible and easier to use

That tickled me at the time too - much better visibility when waiting at the roundabout made it easier to anticipate gaps in the traffic. Mind you, the traffic was reduced to a single lane at the same time, which also helped a lot.

Grunk · Post by **Grunk** » 16 Jan 2009, 13:37

Cutting down those bushes would definitely have improved safety at the round about, Anyone who ever used the roundabout could have seen that.

It's almost as if the planners/consultants just looked at a map and saw "roundabout" without even looking at the actual site, so the obvious choice was to replace it with traffic lights.

What's really annoying is the fact that the roundabout was huge, it could have easily been rescaled to allow for 3 lanes around it with part time signaling for rush hour traffic.

My current theory is that one of the council planners keeps failing their driving test because they can't do roundabouts. So the obvious choice is to clear away all the roundabouts near the driving test centre.

Bazza · Post by **Bazza** » 16 Jan 2009, 18:50

You wanna try going through the new "junction" on a bike! I cycle from London Road into Porty, and there's a massive drop-off on the left hand side, followed by a section of road that's missing the left-hand ege - there's just rubble there. Most cars push past, assuming I should be cycling on the left, but not realising that I can't. Not nice.

BeachBum · Post by **BeachBum** » 22 Jan 2009, 18:31

From a e-mail shot sent out today by Councillor Child:

Councillor Child, email sent to mailing list on 22/01/09 wrote: I ask for progress reports on a regular basis and Scott Mannion, project manager, told me today:

“Good progress has been made on Portobello High Street, with the surfacing and most of the road markings complete and traffic signal poles and heads put up. The retaining wall is nearly complete and the footway surfacing is being laid.

The next phase of the traffic management is scheduled to be put in place this weekend (depending on some minor alterations to the temporary signal positions) to allow the large island on Sir Harry Lauder Road to be constructed but the change is fairly minor, with 'southbound' traffic being moved across on to the new carriageway.

There has been an allowance (known as liquidated damages) included in the Conditions of Contract. This is a quantifiable estimate of the loss the client (The Council) would suffer should the contract over-run. However, this can only be deducted from payments made to the Contractor if the delay is due to the Contractor. As the delay was not the fault of the Contractor, liquidated damages cannot be applied.

The Contractor's programme now gives a date for opening the junction as late March/Early April.

We will be sending out an updated letter to businesses and residents in the area towards the end of next week.”

There will be a full report on this project to the Council’s Transport Infrastructure and Environment Committee on 10 February, to which I will give you the link so you can read the report the week before – when it will be in the public domain. I won’t see it before that either!

Post by **wangi** » 22 Jan 2009, 18:54

As the delay was not the fault of the Contractor

???

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 22 Jan 2009, 20:34

It was obviously the fault of the motorists who were too stupid to negotiate the temporary traffic light system put in place the first time...........I presume

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 27 Jan 2009, 17:39

We got a visit from a hander-outer today. latest guesstimate for completion is April 3rd. The story in the letter begins post-christmas 2008, as if nothing previously mattered.

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 27 Jan 2009, 17:56

I've heard from several sources lately (though haven't tried it myself yet) that the pedestrian access has just got worse. Apprently if you follow the signs pointing to the middle of the road, that's where you end up. In the middle of the road, with nowhere to go, so you have to double back. Today apparently was even worse because they were marking the road as well so pedestrians were in the middle of the road, not sure where to go, trying to dodge the cars and the machinery.

BeachBum · Post by **BeachBum** » 27 Jan 2009, 18:57

Porty wrote:We got a visit from a hander-outer today. latest guesstimate for completion is April 3rd. The story in the letter begins post-christmas 2008, as if nothing previously mattered.

The Council have been saying for weeks and weeks that work would be going on until April.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 27 Jan 2009, 20:52

Chirpy chirpy cheep cheep!

Grunk · Post by **Grunk** » 29 Jan 2009, 13:46

Not to do with HLR per se, but related news on stupid drivers and pedestrians :

<a href="http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/topst ... 4925420.jp"> Link</a>

BeachBum · Post by **BeachBum** » 31 Jan 2009, 13:31

Edinburgh Evening News 31/01/09 wrote:A PARTIALLY sighted pensioner says roadworks have made his street like a "river full of crocodiles" and left him a virtual prisoner in his own home.

Ray Rolfe, 85, who lives with his wife Euphemia in Inchview Terrace, Portobello, said work on the nearby Seafield roundabout had led to buses being parked nose-to-tail on his street so drivers could change over at the end of their shifts.

The retired delivery driver said the road was now so dangerous that many elderly residents were having to pay for taxis rather than cross the road to the bus stop.

More buses are using the road due to the closure of several nearby streets as part of the multi-million-pound project to replace Seafield roundabout with traffic lights.

A pedestrian is understood to have suffered minor injuries after being involved in a collision last week, and local residents say it is only a matter of time before there is a more serious accident.

Mr Rolfe said: "I don't go out nearly as much since the roadworks started. I'm virtually incarcerated in my home, because the street is like a river full of crocodiles to me.

"Unless I can get a neighbour to help me cross the road, I have to pay £3 for a taxi from Portobello High Street."

Earlier this month it emerged that work to remove the roundabout had slipped another month behind schedule, with the initial cost of £2 million set to rise.

Local councillor Ewan Aitken said: "It distresses me that this work is now putting residents' lives at risk. It's another consequence of Gridlock City."

A council spokesman said: "Lothian Buses required an alternative lay-over spot for buses during the current phase of the King's Road roundabout improvements, and, having consulted with the police, Inchview Terrace was deemed to be the safest and most convenient location.

"We would always recommend using a safe crossing point to cross a busy road and, in the case of Inchview Terrace, this is via a pedestrian refuge island. Crossing here is unaffected by these temporary arrangements."

Here is a link to the article on the Evening News website.

BeachBum · Post by **BeachBum** » 31 Jan 2009, 13:34

Article in the Evening News today (31/1/09)

Atleast at the former roundabout there hasnt been anyone knocked down (that I know of).

Unlike Princes Street which is blighted by works associated with the return of trams to the city. This is the third accident in as many weeks due to what seems to be partially down to bad provison for pedestrians in regards to signage, barriers etc;

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 31 Jan 2009, 16:54

BeachBum wrote: Atleast at the former roundabout there hasnt been anyone knocked down (that I know of).

Looks like there has been a pedestrian injured, according to an article in today's EN 'Roadworks make my street like a river full of crocodiles'

BeachBum · Post by **BeachBum** » 31 Jan 2009, 16:59

Marya wrote:
BeachBum wrote: Atleast at the former roundabout there hasnt been anyone knocked down (that I know of).
Looks like there has been a pedestrian injured, according to an article in today's EN 'Roadworks make my street like a river full of crocodiles'

A pedestrian is understood to have suffered minor injuries after being involved in a collision last week.

Sounds a bit vaque (or however you spell it). Understood could mean that it is based on hearsay. There have been no reported accidents involving pedestrians at that site on the Evening News website or on the LBP website. It may be accurate that someone has, It just doesnt sound very definate.

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 31 Jan 2009, 18:52

Thanks for explaining the subtle nuances of the article for us Michael.

BeachBum · Post by **BeachBum** » 31 Jan 2009, 18:53

Marya wrote:Thanks for explaining the subtle nuances of the article for us Michael.

BeachBum · Post by **BeachBum** » 03 Feb 2009, 17:58

I see they have started puting in the CCTV for the new junction at the former roundabout.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 03 Feb 2009, 23:13

In car serrated?

Post by **wangi** » 05 Feb 2009, 13:36

The report being presented to the Council's Transport Committee Feb 10: http://cpol.edinburgh.gov.uk/getdoc_ext ... cId=122593 (PDF, 990k)

Referenced in an Evening News article today:
http://news.scotsman.com/edinburgh/Driv ... 4949519.jp

Driven round the bend by chaotic junction upgrade
A MULTI-MILLION pound project to replace a busy city roundabout with traffic lights was badly thought out and had an overly optimistic completion date, a damning report has found.
...
A report going before the council's transport committee next week notes the "severe delay", blaming poor traffic management measures, as well as unrealistic completion dates and a lack of communication with the public.
...

Grunk · Post by **Grunk** » 11 Feb 2009, 13:35

<a href="http://news.scotsman.com/edinburgh/Tran ... 4967592.jp"> Apology </a>

Which is of little comfort really. I suspect that it wont actually change how transport is planned in the city one iota.

<a href="http://news.scotsman.com/edinburgh/Traf ... 4967552.jp"> Possibly the next roundabout to be replaced by a poorly thought out traffic light system </a>

BeachBum · Post by **BeachBum** » 11 Feb 2009, 13:47

Grunk wrote: <a href="http://news.scotsman.com/edinburgh/Traf ... 4967552.jp"> Possibly the next roundabout to be replaced by a poorly thought out traffic light system </a>

It is possible that an informal review of the planning & prepearation of such works will take place as a result of the apparent carry on associated with the roundabout site at Porty which could result in fewer problems with any new rounabout being removed & replaced with lights.

seashell · Post by **seashell** » 11 Feb 2009, 15:36

BeachBum wrote:
Grunk wrote: <a href="http://news.scotsman.com/edinburgh/Traf ... 4967552.jp"> Possibly the next roundabout to be replaced by a poorly thought out traffic light system </a>
It is possible that an informal review of the planning & prepearation of such works will take place as a result of the apparent carry on associated with the roundabout site at Porty which could result in fewer problems with any new rounabout being removed & replaced with lights.

The "apparent carry on" Michael? Even the Council are admitting they cocked up badly over this one. It's not an informal review that is needed - but a wholesale re-organisation. THe Council is accountable to us - the taxpayers. And they let us down badly - but we not only have to put up with the chaos but foot the bill as well. Put it this way - would a private company survive such a fiasco - I don't think so.
I should jolly well hope that at the very least heads will roll and some competent people will be appointed. The Transport Dept is nothing more than a joke - they have managed to bring whole chunks of the city to a standstill.

BeachBum · Post by **BeachBum** » 11 Feb 2009, 16:05

seashell wrote:
The "apparent carry on" Michael? Even the Council are admitting they cocked up badly over this one. It's not an informal review that is needed - but a wholesale re-organisation. THe Council is accountable to us - the taxpayers. And they let us down badly - but we not only have to put up with the chaos but foot the bill as well. Put it this way - would a private company survive such a fiasco - I don't think so.
I should jolly well hope that at the very least heads will roll and some competent people will be appointed. The Transport Dept is nothing more than a joke - they have managed to bring whole chunks of the city to a standstill.

It is rather a pity that so many people have been put out by it all. It hasnt put me to any inconvience but I know my immediate neighbours are awfully upset about the whole thing, having to sit in the traffic queues going round the diversons etc;

seashell · Post by **seashell** » 11 Feb 2009, 17:54

BeachBum wrote:It is rather a pity that so many people have been put out by it all. It hasnt put me to any inconvience but I know my immediate neighbours are awfully upset about the whole thing, having to sit in the traffic queues going round the diversons etc;

But we are all affected by this - because we are all paying for it.
6 months of extra work costs an awful lot. This money has been thrown down the drain when it could have been put to much better use.

Post by **wangi** » 11 Feb 2009, 19:34

BeachBum wrote:It is rather a pity that so many people have been put out by it all. It hasnt put me to any inconvience but I know my immediate neighbours are awfully upset about the whole thing, having to sit in the traffic queues going round the diversons etc;

This happened today:

Lothian & Borders Police wrote:46-year-old cyclist seriously injured in collision

A cyclist is in a critical condition in hospital following a serious road collision that happened in Edinburgh earlier today (Wednesday).

The incident happened at around 10am, on Sir Harry Lauder Road, at the junction with Baileyfield Road.

The 46-year-old cyclist was travelling westwards on Sir Harry Lauder Road when he was in collision with a blue and grey Ford Escort Van.

The cyclist was taken to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, before being transferred to the Western General Hospital, where he is currently receiving treatment for serious head injuries.

A police spokesman said: "Accident investigations have taken place at the scene, and further enquiry will take place in order to establish the cause of the collision.

"We want anyone who was on Sir Harry Lauder Road this morning and witnessed the collision to get in touch with police as soon as possible."

Anyone with any information should contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131, or Crimestoppers in confidence and complete anonymity on 0800 555 111.

http://www.lbp.police.uk/press_release% ... 11%5C2.htm

I know you weren't aware of this; but that guy's certainly been put out...

L/

Post by **wangi** » 11 Feb 2009, 19:46

Fancy cycling it first, and then coming back with your observations and criticisms? There are two obvious situations (as a cyclist and driver) that I can think of at the junction of HLR and BR heading north that could easily cause this with no fault of the cyclist.

BeachBum · Post by **BeachBum** » 11 Feb 2009, 19:49

wangi wrote:Fancy cycling it first, and then coming back with your observations and criticisms? There are two obvious situations (as a cyclist and driver) that I can think of at the junction of HLR and BR heading north that could easily cause this with no fault of the cyclist.

Did you type that before I deleted my comment? It will be back as soon as it makes more sense.

TBH, i had considered starting to cycle to work, but decided to wait until after the works have been finished before I give it a bash.

Talk Porty ~ Portobello

Replacement of HLR / Seafield / Portobello Rd Roundabout

thingmie

Roadworks make my street like a river full of crocodiles