Southfield Place Closure

SoupDragon · Post by **SoupDragon** » 27 Aug 2008, 18:54

I see there's signs up saying Southfield Place ( the bit up from the bridge before Bailyfield Road ) is to be closed for a few days from 13/09/08
Does anyone know how this will efffect the buses?
I've tried the LRT site and there's no mention.

My youngest along with quite a few from the area takes the 42 to school up this road
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Maria · Post by **Maria** » 29 Aug 2008, 18:37

I'm puzzled too SD. I've tried looking at notification of traffic works on the Council website and on Traffic Scotland but there's no info at all about it

Poppy · Post by **Poppy** » 29 Aug 2008, 18:50

I asked the 49 bus driver about it last night but he didn't know either.

BTW fellow bus users, yesterday I learnt an important lesson on my way from Orchard Brae to Portobello: always check that the First Bus with the destination Seton Sands and a number ending 29 is the 129 and not the X29. I didn't which is why I was on a 49 from ASDA

Sandra · Post by **Sandra** » 29 Aug 2008, 18:59

Poppy wrote:I asked the 49 bus driver about it last night but he didn't know either.

BTW fellow bus users, yesterday I learnt an important lesson on my way from Orchard Brae to Portobello: always check that the First Bus with the destination Seton Sands and a number ending 29 is the 129 and not the X29. I didn't which is why I was on a 49 from ASDA

oops
I did the very same thing with a number 15 and a number 5 bus when I'd not lived in Portobello that long and it was dark

SoupDragon · Post by **SoupDragon** » 29 Aug 2008, 19:54

I emailed LRT.
Basically they dont know yet what is happening
[quote]We have yet to attend a final meeting regarding this proposed road closure. At this meeting arrangements will be made for diverting buses if need be. As soon as we have the finalised plans we will let passengers know.

Sorry I can not be of more assistance at this time.[/quotegs

I'll be away in Crete when this is happening.
I'll have to leave a note on the fridge to remind Clangers that their school buses will be disrupted, by the look of things.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 29 Aug 2008, 23:51

SoupDragon wrote: I'll have to leave a note on the fridge to remind Clangers that their school buses will be disrupted, by the look of things.

I've never thought buses were that fussy.

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 02 Sep 2008, 11:17

I'm waiting for a reply from LRT too, SD, but in the interim here's the info I got (eventually!) from the Council.

The road works are due to essential repairs to the sewage system, which has been leaking. The closure coincides with the Sept long weekend and the company is hoping that the work will only take 3 days, but has applied for a 5 day closure as a safeguard. Arrangements to put on a shuttle bus (at the water company's expense) have been made with LRT.

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 02 Sep 2008, 14:50

Here's what LRT have to say on the matter:

Thank you for your email.

I have been informed that information will be avalible [sic] on our website
from the middle of next week.

On behalf of Lothian Buses may I thank you for your email.

I'm just going to tell my offspring to walk SD.

SoupDragon · Post by **SoupDragon** » 02 Sep 2008, 19:31

Its a fair trek uphill to Holy Rood High, but he often walks home ,downhill.
The other Clanger catches the bus into Leith, the bus already takes abit longer due to the road closures due to Kings Rd roundabout.
Any way I'll leave them a note.
I'll be in Greece

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 05 Sep 2008, 10:51

From Maureen Child today:

Dear All

If you use the route regularly, or live nearby, you know that Southfield Place is to be closed to through traffic for five full days. The temporary traffic regulation order (TTRO) is in effect form is from Saturday 13 September at 7am Wednesday 17 September at 7pm. Traffic diversions are via Sir Harry Lauder Road. The closure is from Duddingston Park to the Bridge, so Brighton Place is not affected, but people will not be able to park on Southfield Place.

This was first brought to my attention aftr the signs went up. It transpires that it is for essential maintenance by Scottish Water. I understand it is to deal with a leaking sewer – so, pretty essential! But it was presented to us local Councillors as a done deal, with all the diversions already agreed with Lothian Buses. My colleague, Cllr Stephen Hawkins, tried to persuade them to postpone the work until after the Kings Road/Seafield Road junction works were complete in November, but was unsuccessful.

I have been in touch with the Regional Manager for Scottish Water and he tells me it is in his interest to finish ASAP, just as well as ours. Scottish Water are paying the cost of the diversions and shuttle buses at £1000 a day – so they it is very much in their interests to get it done quickly and efficiently. Depending on what they find when they dig up the road, Scottish Water very much hope to take no more than three days over the holiday weekend rather than the full five days, which the Council officers have allowed for and advertised.

I am still awaiting details of the proposed 15 minute shuttle bus service to Portobello for those using Service Nos. 49, 21 and 42 for which Scottish water are paying.

I hope you find this information useful. Please feel free to pass it on.

SoupDragon · Post by **SoupDragon** » 05 Sep 2008, 12:46

So just over a week until the road closes and we still dont know about buses, schedules etc.
Wonder how many school kids won't have noticed they won't be able to get the bus to school from their usual High St stops.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 05 Sep 2008, 14:55

Agree. It seems quite ridiculous that signs announcing the closure should appear before local councillors know anything about it, however urgent the repairs may be. And to close off one of the main routes in and out of Portobello when we already face problems at Kings Road roundabout is bad timing to put it mildly.

The fact that details of alternative bus services are still not available just adds insult to injury.

SoupDragon · Post by **SoupDragon** » 06 Sep 2008, 14:47

I can only speculate that the shuttle service will involve Harry Lauder Road. But still dont know where the shuttle will pick up and let down.

The lack of provision for pedestrians at Kings Road is also very worrying, there's only one set of lights (on the High St ) the rest is to chance it across very busy roads and given that school children may have to cross around there to get a shuttle to connect with buses heading to school it's asking for a disaster.

But it can only be speculation until schedules etc are available.
A week to go until the closure and I still cant find any information online

BeachBum · Post by **BeachBum** » 09 Sep 2008, 16:54

Still nothing on the Lothian Buses website, and when I phoned to find out the girl said she hadnt a clue.

SoupDragon · Post by **SoupDragon** » 09 Sep 2008, 17:21

Yup
I know.
Been watching their website, phoned and emailed.
Even asked Holy Rood High School if they know anything as its the only bus going past there.

It seems ridiculous that no one is able to tell the people of Porty what the situation is going to be re bus routes and timetables, especially for those who rely on buses to get to school or hospital

SoupDragon · Post by **SoupDragon** » 11 Sep 2008, 07:44

Got this in my inbox this morning

During these works a free shuttle bus will be provided by Scottish Water
and operate between Portobello to link in with the diverted bus routes
(21, 42, 49 and Mac69). To catch the 21 either take a 15 or 26 to King's
Road and cross the road to the bus stop there, or take the shuttle bus
to Baileyfield Industrial Estate where there will be a temporary bus
stop. From Craigmillar either take the 21 to Portobello Road and cross
the road to take a 15 or 26 to Portobello High St or get off the 21 at
Duddingston Park South and walk to a temporary bus stop at Duddingston
Park to catch the shuttle bus there. These arrangements are subject to
confirmation.
I apologise for the lack of information that has been supplied to date
but it is a complex diversion and we are only now able to finalise the
arrangements. It is my intention to have full information at the stops
tomorrow; information will be placed on the website as soon as possible.

BeachBum · Post by **BeachBum** » 11 Sep 2008, 18:13

It is my intention to have full information at the stops
tomorrow; information will be placed on the website as soon as possible.

They did indeed update their website earlier today

SoupDragon · Post by **SoupDragon** » 11 Sep 2008, 18:27

Wow thats quite a diversion for the 42.
Bet there will be quite a few school kids that go to Holy Rood caught out by this!

BeachBum · Post by **BeachBum** » 14 Sep 2008, 22:29

All seems to have went okay this weekend in terms of the buses. There as an geezer from Lothian Buses standing at the 21/42/49 bus stop outside Kitcheners for most of the day on Saturday letting people know whats happening.

And from what I observed the drivers of the 88 shuttle bus were doing their bit to let people know what was going on.

SoupDragon · Post by **SoupDragon** » 15 Sep 2008, 10:39

The fun bit will be when the schools go back.
Its uncertain if the road will be open, which means the 42 will run as normal but if the road is closed the 42 will be going up Portobello Road and I dont think the 88 shuttle links to it.
So basically the school kids who normally catch the 42 would have to get to Kings Road roundabout and cross the High St then Bailyfield Road to get into Portobello Road.
Doesnt seem that safe.

Also wonder how many will be aware of the change.

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 15 Sep 2008, 11:23

From a purely selfish point of view, it is brilliant having an almost traffic free Brighton Place.

BeachBum · Post by **BeachBum** » 15 Sep 2008, 13:56

SoupDragon wrote: Also wonder how many will be aware of the change.

According to a posting made on here by soupdragon there was to be information at the bus stops,

Does anyone know if this happened?

magbagpuss · Post by **magbagpuss** » 15 Sep 2008, 20:15

yes there is info at bus stops , did you look ?

BeachBum · Post by **BeachBum** » 15 Sep 2008, 20:25

michael_traill wrote:According to a posting made on here by soupdragon there was to be information at the bus stops,

Does anyone know if this happened?

magbagpuss wrote:yes there is info at bus stops , did you look ?

Ofcourse I didnt look, if I looked I wouldnt need to ask if the info was there or not!

Post by **wangi** » 15 Sep 2008, 22:53

I thought the cat thread was another one, not this...

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 16 Sep 2008, 09:18

Road is still closed though a few cars are managing to squeeze past the barriers by mounting the pavement. No workers to be seen. Mind you, it is really miserable weather out there. Rather them than me.

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 16 Sep 2008, 14:50

Judging by the amount of traffic (including buses) now passing my house, Southfield Place is open once more.

magbagpuss · Post by **magbagpuss** » 16 Sep 2008, 17:25

Was still closed back of 11. To go to doc's at Southfield Surgery and back took 2.30 hours via Sir Harry Lauder Road . Poor drivers spent journey saying sorry. hope it is open again.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 16 Sep 2008, 17:31

I came home that way. The detour put an extra 10 mins on my journey so I'm delighted to confirm that it has indeed re-opened.

BeachBum · Post by **BeachBum** » 16 Sep 2008, 17:32

Marya wrote:Judging by the amount of traffic (including buses) now passing my house, Southfield Place is open once more.

magbagpuss wrote:Was still closed back of 11. To go to doc's at Southfield Surgery and back took 2.30 hours via Sir Harry Lauder Road . Poor drivers spent journey saying sorry. hope it is open again.

It is, after reading the comment by Marya I phoned Lothian Buses who said buses were no longer being diverted in regards to the Southfield Place closure.