Bus / Portobello Traffic Management

Post by **wangi** » 14 Dec 2004, 11:46

With the council gearing up for the congestion charging vote what can be done locally to get traffic moving? The High St is a crawl every morning, and at many other times of the day too.

I normally cycle to work, but this morning took the bus. It took 20 minutes to get along Portobello High Street (1.2mile from the last stop on Musselburgh Rd to the roundabout). That's less than 4 MPH! The put things into perspective it took 10 minutes to do the next 2 miles to the top of Easter Rd.

On another thread I put forward the idea of blocking off the High Street at the Brighton Pl / Bath St junction with only buses (cycles & taxis) allowed through. The other roads would remain two-way.

Or perhaps limit parking on the High St and put in place bus lanes?

Or?

Indeed for the slightly wider isse of traffic management, what can be done?

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 14 Dec 2004, 12:04

This is an issue that appears on the Community Development Plan.
Their suggestion is to bring back express buses (85/86) into town and to introduce green lanes. I've taken a look at the plan of the new traffic lights which will replace the Seafield roundabout and it looks as though there are markings for green lanes on it. Does anyone know if there are moves afoot to introduce green lanes to the High Street?

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 14 Dec 2004, 17:40

My understanding is that there will be extensive 'quality of life' environmental improvements to Portobello High Street in the coming year, including new footpaths and bus stops, but there are no plans for a bus lane. The bus priority measures at the new junction only extend as far as can be seen on the drawing.

I'm not sure that I would want an express busway through the middle of Portobello in any case. It would necessitate widening the road and therefore reducing space for pedestrians, outdoor cafes etc. It would also mean losing most of the onstreet parking, to the detriment of local traders.

Having said that, I do sympathise with wangi on the bottleneck situation, especially at peak hours. I generally find it is quicker coming home to get off at Kings Road and walk. Stick to cycling is my advice.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 14 Dec 2004, 18:09

How about making Portobello High Street One Way between say 7am and 9am and 4pm and 6 pm? Traffic using both sides off the road? You would have to do something at Kings Road end but that is already being done.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 14 Dec 2004, 18:13

Since everyone has their own pet theory on this I think we should start a Portobello Traffic Management thread.

I have asked for more detail on the 'quality of life' improvements and will publish drawings as soon as I get them.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 14 Dec 2004, 18:22

Bob Jefferson wrote:Since everyone has their own pet theory on this I think we should start a Portobello Traffic Management thread.

I thought that's what this thread was. Should we get the Terminator to obliterate this thread and start a new one?

foxy · Post by **foxy** » 14 Dec 2004, 19:10

Porty wrote:How about making Portobello High Street One Way between say 7am and 9am and 4pm and 6 pm? Traffic using both sides off the road? You would have to do something at Kings Road end but that is already being done.

And what would happen at 9.00am and 6.00pm when cars were allowed to come back in from either direction and there was still traffic using both sides of the road

And I wouldn't fancy being the first driver to drive on the wrong side at 7 or 4

The police would never agree to this, way too difficult to enforce

Perhaps if it was a permanent arrangement

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 15 Dec 2004, 00:17

foxy wrote:
Porty wrote:How about making Portobello High Street One Way between say 7am and 9am and 4pm and 6 pm? Traffic using both sides off the road? You would have to do something at Kings Road end but that is already being done.
And what would happen at 9.00am and 6.00pm when cars were allowed to come back in from either direction and there was still traffic using both sides of the road

And I wouldn't fancy being the first driver to drive on the wrong side at 7 or 4

The police would never agree to this, way too difficult to enforce

Perhaps if it was a permanent arrangement

Foxy, if we were going to live our lives goverrned purely by what the Police can or cannot enforce we would be up ***t creek. The type of scheme I have suggested has been in use in many European cities since the 70's. Personally I've only seen it in action on the Diagonal in Barcelona, it worked.

foxy · Post by **foxy** » 15 Dec 2004, 00:32

Porty wrote:
Foxy, if we were going to live our lives goverrned purely by what the Police can or cannot enforce we would be up ***t creek. The type of scheme I have suggested has been in use in many European cities since the 70's. Personally I've only seen it in action on the Diagonal in Barcelona, it worked.

I agree but the police would have a say nevertheless and I've witnessed their negative response to a similar proposal for my street.

Post by **wangi** » 17 Dec 2004, 11:52

Marya wrote:Their suggestion is to bring back express buses (85/86) into town and to introduce green lanes

There is already an express - the X26... and it sits in the same traffic going nowhere quickly.

Post by **wangi** » 17 Dec 2004, 11:53

Bob Jefferson wrote:Since everyone has their own pet theory on this I think we should start a Portobello Traffic Management thread

This one should cover that - i'll edit my first post...

Brian McCrow · Post by **Brian McCrow** » 21 Dec 2004, 14:52

I've seen traffic management schemes in place like Birmingham and Manchester where traffic flows change at different times of the day. These take place on BIG roads and are still complicated.

I think in Porty we should aim to reduce through traffic by diverting Leith bound traffic along the Sir Harry Lauder Road. This can be done by signage perhaps in the short term e.g. No through traffic or Local traffic only.

And more permanently by having permanent one way systems i.e. East bound from Kings Road up Brighton Place and West Bound from Joppa again up through Brighton Place. This will limit it to local traffic only and hence will reduce the overall traffic in Porty.