NEW red-surfaced cycle lanes are to be installed at a number of key points along the tram route in the Scottish capital.
Edinburgh trams chiefs were 'grating and guarded', inquiry hears
Edinburgh City Council said the measures, the first in an ongoing project to help all road users keep themselves and each other safe when negotiating the tram tracks, are aimed at demonstrating the optimum angle for crossing the tracks.
It comes after the death of Malaysian student Zhi Min Soh, pictured aboove, an Edinburgh University medical student who was killed in a collision with a minibus after her wheel reportedly became caught in tram tracks.
The council said its work was ongoing when the fatal collision happened in May at the junction of Shandwick Place and Queensferry Street.
Edinburgh trams chiefs were 'grating and guarded', inquiry hears
The council also said consultations have been under way for some time between specialist consultants working on its behalf and cycling groups, to assess areas of potential conflict between cyclists and tramlines in the city centre and develop proposals for improvements.
A spokesperson said the red-screeded cycle lanes will offer those on bikes the safest route to cross the tram tracks to avoid slipping or getting their wheels stuck.
A report going before the council's transport and environment committee next Friday details the changes, which will be brought in over coming weeks, along with warning signs and a publicity and awareness campaign.
Edinburgh trams chiefs were 'grating and guarded', inquiry hears
The campaign will urge all road users to "look out for each other", stressing the need for drivers to give cyclists ample space when they're manoeuvring into the safest position for crossing tram tracks.
These initial measures, or Phase 1 in the project, involve new road markings at York Place into Elder Street, Shandwick Place into Queensferry Street, Princes Street on to Waverley Bridge, Princes Street into South St David Street, and Princes Street into Frederick Street.
There will also be red surfacing added to the existing cycle lane at Haymarket Yards.
Edinburgh trams chiefs were 'grating and guarded', inquiry hears
Lesley Macinnes, Edinburgh transport convener, said: "Road safety is one of the council's top priorities and we've been working very closely with cycling groups for many months on ways to help make it easier for cyclists to safely cross tram tracks in the city centre.
"We're emphasising that this is about all road users looking out for each other to keep themselves and each other safe.
"Drivers need to make sure they give cyclists plenty of time and extra space to get into the position they need to be in to cross the tram tracks safely and cyclists need to clearly signal - as early as possible - what they plan to do. By looking out for each other, we can ensure we all reach our destination safely."
Edinburgh trams chiefs were 'grating and guarded', inquiry hears
The second phase expected for completion by April 2018 will include improvements to Advanced Stop Lines for cyclists and traffic signals at six city centre locations.
Meanwhile, phase three, expected to be completed in autumn 2018, will include a short length of new segregated cycle lane on Princes Street.
Dave du Feu, of cyclists' group Spokes, said the campaigners "welcome the council's three-phase project to tackle tramline-related cyclist crashes and injuries".
“The council rightly recognises that many crashes occur because traffic pressures force the cyclist into the tramlines at a poor angle.
"We therefore particularly welcome the phase one 'give cyclists space' signs and publicity.
Edinburgh trams chiefs were 'grating and guarded', inquiry hears
“We urge the council to progress rapidly with the consultations and traffic orders required for phases two and three, which entail changes to traffic lights, and road layouts.
"We look forward to discussing these plans.
“Furthermore, Spokes welcomes the motion passed at the first meeting of the new council, promising that any tramline extension would 'prioritise pedestrian and cyclist safety and convenience, including consideration of segregated cycle lanes'."
Edinburgh trams chiefs were 'grating and guarded', inquiry hears
Katherine Soane, of Sustrans, said it also welcomed the "proposals around crossing tram tracks".
“This is an excellent first step in getting people on bikes to be more aware of the best angle to cross tram tracks, and we look forward to a more wide-reaching programme around safety where vulnerable road users interact with motorists.”
Why are you making commenting on The Herald only available to subscribers?
It should have been a safe space for informed debate, somewhere for readers to discuss issues around the biggest stories of the day, but all too often the below the line comments on most websites have become bogged down by off-topic discussions and abuse.
heraldscotland.com is tackling this problem by allowing only subscribers to comment.
We are doing this to improve the experience for our loyal readers and we believe it will reduce the ability of trolls and troublemakers, who occasionally find their way onto our site, to abuse our journalists and readers. We also hope it will help the comments section fulfil its promise as a part of Scotland's conversation with itself.
We are lucky at The Herald. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories.
That is invaluable.
We are making the subscriber-only change to support our valued readers, who tell us they don't want the site cluttered up with irrelevant comments, untruths and abuse.
In the past, the journalist’s job was to collect and distribute information to the audience. Technology means that readers can shape a discussion. We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel