Thread by @hank_chief

Let's summarise the debate on the Gogarstone Junction changes

GS is the N-S road on right of pic, heading to a T-Junction on the E-W A8 Glasgow Road dual carriageway by Edinburgh Airport

The A8 has historically had a 70mph limit but this has recently been reduced to 40mph

1/n

The A8 is also home to a cycle path its the South side (QuietRoute 9) linking Western Edinburgh/RBS Gogarburn with the Airport and Kirkliston/Broxburn.

The Gogarstone Junction has been a known hotspot for crossing safely for people 🚶‍♀️or🚴‍♀️

2/n

It has been in response to this risk & other issues that the council have been looking to improve the A8 cycle path.

The original consultation was in Dec 2015 & in the results of the consultation Gogarstone was "considered the most dangerous location on the entire route"

3/n

Reports were sent to Aug & Dec 2018's Transport & Environment Committee highlighting the removal of the acclerleration & deceleration lanes at GS & the TRO required to reduce the speed limit on the A8.

The reports were approved
edinburgh.gov.uk/download/meeti…

4/n

As the TRO was passed, the speed limits have now been reduced so Glasgow Road is now 40mph for the entire length from Drumbrae to Newbridge.

Compliance with the speed limit is a different matter, with @polscotrpu operations to enforce it

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https://twitter.com/polscotrpu/status/1122613702908424192?s=19

Last week the Council painted hatching around the Gogarstone Junction, removing the accelerations and declerations lanes.

This is a relatively cheap (& reversible) intervention whilst a more permanent solution is designed & will be consulted on kn due course

6/n

These markings have created changes in the operation of the junction for drivers (for those that are adhering to them) which we will go into in more detail

1. Traffic turning off A8 now need to slow in the traffic lane
2. Traffic turning onto A8 need to wait for safe gap

7/n

1. Turning off the A8 into GS you are slowing in the traffic lane, bringing the risk of the following driver not noticing & hitting you from behind

40mph roads don't technically need deceleration lanes & there are plenty of examples where they don't. E.g. Craigs/Maybury Rds

8/n

That doesn't mean that the risk doesn't exist, its just that it *should* be an acceptable risk.

With more warning of the junction & more enforcement of the speed limit this risk should reduce.

Whether this is an acceptable risk is a different question.

9/n

I will leave it to others to answer that

One of the challenges is people are still used to Glasgow Road being 70mph. A new pedestrian crossing & more (slower) turning traffic (+ any future development eg IBG) will change the feel of the road & ultimately improve compliance

10/n

2. Coming out of Gogarstone onto the A8, it used to be possible to turn straight onto the start of the Airport Slip road which allows traffic use the Airport junction to head into town as there is no right turn at the GS junction itself

This is well used by Ratho residents
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The problem comes that this manoeuvre could be carried out at speed & so brought the danger to 🚴‍♀️&🚶‍♀️ crossing that's trying to be reduced, not to mention the risk if a bus was at the bus stop

Now you are required to give way to the main A8 & so need to wait for a safe gap.

12/n

People's perception of how long to wait for a safe gap & what a safe gap is will vary, however, it is entirely in their gift to decide.

It will be a very different experience from before the changes & frustration will no doubt occur from now having to wait, which adds risk

13/n

Again, better compliance to the 40mph limit of the A8 will reduce the speed of passing vehicles & make exiting safer.

The delay to journey times is also a consideration to many. There is no easy answer to that, everyone will have their own views on speed vs safety.

14/n

I hope this thread has helped set out *why* the council have acted & detailed the main concerns that people have. I also appreciate that not everyone will agree with what I have said

Driver behaviour (especially on the A8) will evolve as people get used to the changes

15/n

So let's see how the changes bed in over time & once we have evidence engage with the Council on how a longer term solution could work balancing all the needs & safety of all users

In the meantime let's try to adhere to the new markings so we can understand the true impact
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@dnmnsmith @1964flyingscot @mummycycle @acsedinburgh
@crabbitcopy ☝️