Replacement of HLR / Seafield / Portobello Rd Roundabout

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 17 Apr 2009, 20:10

8 bells and it is still closed.....

BeachBum · Post by **BeachBum** » 17 Apr 2009, 20:13

Marya wrote:8 bells and it is still closed.....

What about the traffic lights, was there any changes there yet?

Scott Mannion wrote:
We are planning to switch on the signals on the evening of Friday 17th April. This will allow the signals to be operated over the weekend and give us the chance to carry out the inevitable adjustments when there is less traffic than during the week.

Portobello High Street will be re-opened as part of this process once we are sure everything is working as it should (hopefully on Friday evening). We are looking to open the side roads in Craigentinny this week . If all goes well, Wakefield Avenue will be re-opened at the end of this week or early next week, depending on when all of the line markings in Portobello Road are completed.

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 17 Apr 2009, 20:14

BeachBum wrote: What about the traffic lights, was there any changes there yet?

Yes they went red, then red and amber, then green.

BeachBum · Post by **BeachBum** » 17 Apr 2009, 20:16

Marya wrote:
BeachBum wrote: What about the traffic lights, was there any changes there yet?
Yes they went red, then red and amber, then green.

I actually meant were the temp traffic lights being used or is it the proper ground installed ones being used yet?

I shouldnt be such a (admin: deleted) and be more specific.

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 17 Apr 2009, 20:56

I reckon there will be a power surge when they switch that lot on. I'll let you know when my lights start flickering and the telly goes on and off.

magbagpuss · Post by **magbagpuss** » 17 Apr 2009, 21:51

21:52p.m , been out for dinner with pals n guess wot , not open !!!

BeachBum · Post by **BeachBum** » 17 Apr 2009, 21:53

It is only opening once they are happy with the traffic light signals, i wonder if there was a problem..ach well, wait and see.

It would have been handy if we had been able to fit a webcam near the site so we could see the action as it has unfolded over the past few months.

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 17 Apr 2009, 22:06

I don't need a webcam - I've lived it.

BeachBum · Post by **BeachBum** » 17 Apr 2009, 22:11

Epykat wrote:I don't need a webcam - I've lived it.

Well done you!

magbagpuss · Post by **magbagpuss** » 18 Apr 2009, 06:43

6.30 Derek's just gone to work n ...................... It's open , yyeeehhaaaaa

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 18 Apr 2009, 08:26

Right Epy - get sizzling! Buck's Fizz anyone?

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 18 Apr 2009, 08:33

Which side of the road do you want to meet. It might take me a while and 5 sets of green man crossings to get to you......

Sausages on.

BeachBum · Post by **BeachBum** » 18 Apr 2009, 09:08

magbagpuss wrote:6.30 Derek's just gone to work n ...................... It's open , yyeeehhaaaaa

Good news.

Wonder how things will work out on Tuesday morning when every Tom, Dick and Harry is going to work.

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 18 Apr 2009, 14:24

Tried out the new "Seafield Junction" earlier. Slight over kill in green man terms considering we've had NONE for almost a year but made it over in one piece although was so busy looking to find the next green man that I almost bumped into the 'traffic observation' man whose job for the day appears to be standing in one place watching the cars - he was still there, in the same spot, when I came back nearly an hour later. The really good news is that our street is now open - hooray

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 18 Apr 2009, 14:55

Epykat wrote:I almost bumped into the 'traffic observation' man whose job for the day appears to be standing in one place watching the cars - he was still there, in the same spot, when I came back nearly an hour later.

Or perhaps it was just someone who likes watching the buses. It wasn't you Beachbum, was it?

SoupDragon · Post by **SoupDragon** » 18 Apr 2009, 18:17

Clanger 2 walked down that way
he's remarked on the number of traffic island
He basically thinks someone has made a giant real life Frogger game!

seashell · Post by **seashell** » 18 Apr 2009, 20:17

BeachBum wrote:
DG wrote:I passed the site yesterday on the bus and there was no-one working, however 2 workmen in a van, one on his mobile and another texting.... is there any hope?
DG
They could have been on their break. Its already been stated before that a number of workmen on site were choosing to have their breaks in their diggers etc;

When I passed about 3.30-ish I saw that one workie had brought his Alsatian Dog to work with him. I do love dogs - but surely this wasn't appropriate?? Or does our glorious council take part in "bring your dog to work day"??

Or was the dog actually in charge? WHich would answer a whole lot of things???

BeachBum · Post by **BeachBum** » 18 Apr 2009, 20:44

seashell wrote:
BeachBum wrote:
DG wrote:I passed the site yesterday on the bus and there was no-one working, however 2 workmen in a van, one on his mobile and another texting.... is there any hope?
DG
They could have been on their break. Its already been stated before that a number of workmen on site were choosing to have their breaks in their diggers etc;
When I passed about 3.30-ish I saw that one workie had brought his Alsatian Dog to work with him. I do love dogs - but surely this wasn't appropriate?? Or does our glorious council take part in "bring your dog to work day"??

Or was the dog actually in charge? WHich would answer a whole lot of things???

That employee should promptly be hung on the site where this very serious offence happened. Nah, ofcourse he shouldnt. What a total disgrace. Nah, I dont think so, im not that sad.

SoupDragon · Post by **SoupDragon** » 18 Apr 2009, 21:18

A dog in charge!!!

That would explain a lot
Now if they'd used a cat...

I hope this new traffic light arrangement makes everything flow faster.
I'm sure there's a few of us that really resent being stuck in traffic rather than being at home with our families

seanie · Post by **seanie** » 19 Apr 2009, 11:04

You might be dissappointed. The change to the junction wasn't made to improve traffic flow, it was to improve safety. The new prioritisation might improve things for buses but I don't think there expecting a reduction in congestion due to the changes.

BeachBum · Post by **BeachBum** » 19 Apr 2009, 19:57

wangi wrote:Sadly the cyclist has died from his injuries. Police are still appealing for witnesses:

admin: excessive quoting removed - please learn to only include what's really needed...

I was hearing today that the female driver has been sacked by Lothian Buses due to this incident.

Grunk · Post by **Grunk** » 20 Apr 2009, 12:40

Walked round the junction yesterday, took 5 minutes to cross all the roads in a circuit (waiting for the green man every time) which isn't too bad.

Drove through it this morning (9.30), seemed to be quick, maybe as quick as the roundabout.

Anyone got any rush hour experiences?

SoupDragon · Post by **SoupDragon** » 20 Apr 2009, 12:44

I'm sure there will always be delays at peak times, Seanie.
Its the driving thriough the industrial estate, pushed into one lane and the closing of Wakefield Avenue and all roads off Portobello Road that have created big bottle necks.
Anyone coming from Restalrig/Criagentinny was filtered into one exit at Craigentinny Ave/Portobello Road, where the lack of traffic lights made it a gamble to get out in a reasonable time.

We'll see how it all goes tomorrow when holidays are over.

seashell · Post by **seashell** » 20 Apr 2009, 15:25

SoupDragon wrote:I'm sure there will always be delays at peak times, Seanie.
Its the driving thriough the industrial estate, pushed into one lane and the closing of Wakefield Avenue and all roads off Portobello Road that have created big bottle necks.
Anyone coming from Restalrig/Criagentinny was filtered into one exit at Craigentinny Ave/Portobello Road, where the lack of traffic lights made it a gamble to get out in a reasonable time.

We'll see how it all goes tomorrow when holidays are over.

Here's hoping everything works smoothly.
Of course, the best laid plans go sadly awry once the "human factor" is introduced!

Grunk · Post by **Grunk** » 22 Apr 2009, 09:23

seashell wrote:
SoupDragon wrote:I'm sure there will always be
Of course, the best laid plans go sadly awry once the "human factor" is introduced!

I wonder what the "Human Factor" does to the worst laid plans?

PortyConvert · Post by **PortyConvert** » 30 Apr 2009, 19:48

What are people's thoughts now that we've had the new system in for 2 weeks now? I'm a bus user and have to say that it seems to work very well. Minimal delays during rush hour mornings & evenings.

Maybe its just the inconvenience of the last 9 months that makes it seem good - but i'm impressed so far....

BeachBum · Post by **BeachBum** » 30 Apr 2009, 19:50

PortyConvert wrote:What are people's thoughts now that we've had the new system in for 2 weeks now? I'm a bus user and have to say that it seems to work very well. Minimal delays during rush hour mornings & evenings.

Maybe its just the inconvenience of the last 9 months that makes it seem good - but i'm impressed so far....

Im a bus user. Seems fine to me.

Im also a walker. Nae bother getting from Porty High Street to that street with the landrover garage.

A rather minor comment is that I do think it will be nice when the works are complete. As of the other day there were still some railings to be put in place.

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 30 Apr 2009, 21:32

PortyConvert wrote:What are people's thoughts now that we've had the new system in for 2 weeks now? I'm a bus user and have to say that it seems to work very well. Minimal delays during rush hour mornings & evenings.

Maybe its just the inconvenience of the last 9 months that makes it seem good - but i'm impressed so far....

As a pedestrian - mmm not bad but far too many crossings. As a bus user - okay so far. As a driver - I think the give way junction as you're coming from Harry Lauder Road to turn left onto Inchview Terrace is awful. There's a filter but no Give Way sign which is confusing if you don't know the road. There's also a pedestrian crossing right at the same bit. They have improved the road markings on the way down though. For a while the arrows were all pointing towards PB and only at the last minute did they point right to go along the bypass, they've changed that.

GRANTY · Post by **GRANTY** » 30 Apr 2009, 22:09

I very nearly witnessed an accident due that same 'give way' junction. Hopefully, it was an isolated incident.

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 30 Apr 2009, 22:34

GRANTY wrote:I very nearly witnessed an accident due that same 'give way' junction. Hopefully, it was an isolated incident.

I don't think it will be. The very first time I came across it the filter was on and I just went - luckily there was nothing coming

.

BeachBum · Post by **BeachBum** » 01 May 2009, 06:53

Wasnt there a large give way sign put next to that particular part of the junction? Im sure there was one in the days following the opening of the junction.

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 01 May 2009, 08:13

BeachBum wrote:Wasnt there a large give way sign put next to that particular part of the junction? Im sure there was one in the days following the opening of the junction.

At the risk of publicly endorsing something BB has written, I thought I saw a 'Give Way' sign too. The filter works just like the one at the Milton Link junction, which nearly caught me out the first time I used it!

A few folk mentioned their concerns about various aspects of this junction , the filter light being one of them, at Mon night's CC meeting Epy, so you're not on your own.

I'm pleasantly surprised how quickly I've managed to get through the junction anytime I've used it. Wonder if it is back to its normal level of traffic?

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 01 May 2009, 08:50

I'm reserving judgement. Minor tweaks in the design may still be possible to resolve any obvious issues that arise.

As with any new road layout, it will take people a while to get used to it. I use Hermiston Gate to join the bypass and mistakes there are still a regular occurrence. Motorists are often in the wrong lane, cut across lanes, use bus-only lanes or misunderstand traffic lights.

Sometimes the road engineers get it wrong but frequently it's a case of bad driving.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 01 May 2009, 11:56

Marya wrote:
BeachBum wrote:Wasnt there a large give way sign put next to that particular part of the junction? Im sure there was one in the days following the opening of the junction.
At the risk of publicly endorsing something BB has written, I thought I saw a 'Give Way' sign too.

It was spelled "Whey" which caused all sorts of confusion and delay.

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 01 May 2009, 13:41

I stand corrected. There are in fact now two

(okay, okay, I didn't have my varifocals on). I'm sure they weren't there in the first few days of opening though - surely even I wouldn't have missed that - and it doesn't detract from the fact it's a rubbish junction.