Pushing over the Bridge

[Any of the images can be clicked to enlarge.]

Background

The Infirmary Bridge in Inverness crosses the River Ness upstream of the city centre.

It takes its name from the nearby Royal Northern Infirmary (RNI) which now houses the Executive Office of UHI (University of the Highlands and Islands).

On the far side is Cavell Gardens, named in memory of Edith Cavell. (In spite of pronunciation by many locals, the correct stress is as in 'travel' rather than 'Ravel'.)

https://www.cavellnursestrust.org/edith-cavell

This suspension bridge, built in 1881, is 90 m long with only 1.7 m available width, nearly level, and connects two relatively quiet roads along the riverside.

These three photos were taken earlier this year and show the bridge as it was until a few weeks ago.

There were a couple of 'No Cycling' signs one of which had its red circle partly obscured with 10 plain address labels (plus an NHYES sticker from the time of the Scottish Referendum).

Traffic Regulation Order

A major project is under way in the Highlands to repaint 94 miles of lines on the road surface and replace 1,600 road signs.

https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/highlands/897849/highland-parking-crackdown-means-repainting-100-miles-of-street-lines/

As part of this, messages were painted at the entrance to both ends of the bridge augmented by two extra 'No Cycling' signs.

Approaching the bridge the message says 'Cyclists Dismount' in 18" (45 cm) high letters.

Leaving the bridge the message was 'Beware' but strangely this was burned off a few days later.

Typical Peak Weekday Traffic

Data was gathered between 8 am and 9 am for 96 pedestrians and 38 cyclists.

Percentages	Pedestrians	Cyclists	Both Modes
Cavell -> UHI	50	19	69
UHI -> Cavell	22	9	31
Both Directions	72	28	100

The different counts in each direction is mostly explained by where the people work.

The opposite would be expected at the end of the day.

There were a few joggers and walkers with buggies and dogs among the pedestrian numbers.

I initial attempted to do a separate count of cyclists cycling and walking but I abandoned this because quite a few changed mode (sometimes more than once) as they crossed.

Observations

Pedestrians crossed singly or in groups of up to four taking about a minute.

Some trailed wheeled luggage, pushed buggies or were accompanied by dogs.

Some stopped to take photos or look at the view. Some were jogging.

Cyclists usually travelled alone and could cycle across in about 20 seconds.

Some cyclists walked the full length while others cycled for all or part of the crossing.

There is only 1.7 m of available width. Walking two abreast is comfortable but cycling two abreast is not really an option. This naturally means that cyclists have to take care when passing other users of the bridge and will usually only overtake a pedestrian with consent.

Signs on Metal Plates

The Greig Street Bridge, near the city centre, is of similar construction but slightly wider at 2.3 m. It also has a more obvious rise in the middle. It has rectangular blue 'Cyclists Dismount' signs at each end. Being advisory, they can be ignored (and often are) provided the cyclist takes account of other bridge users. It also has two red circle 'No Cycling' signs at each end. Their lettering is badly weathered  and their position on the side barrier of the bridge makes them easy to overlook.

The Infirmary Bridge has two new red circle 'No Cycling' signs at each end. This is an order and failure to comply is potentially an offence carrying a fine.

Other Locations

There is no prohibition on the paths or bridges further upstream in the Ness Islands. Indeed there is an official cycle route (The Great Glen Way) through the Ness Islands.

Core Paths

It is worth noting that both of these suspension bridges are Core Paths.

This is a legal term that grants a legal right to walk or cycle that route.

http://www.highland.gov.uk/downloads/file/1170/map_9_-_inverness_west

Map_9___Inverness_West.pdf

IN19.06 - Greig Street Bridge

IN19.07 – Infirmary Bridge

It would appear that the 'No Cycling' signs contradicts this basic right.

Invalid prohibition signs that are likely to be ignored put the law into disrepute.

Conclusion

Cyclists walking or cycling across these suspension bridges already appear to show consideration for others on the bridge.

The narrowness of the Infirmary Bridge naturally encourages cyclists to stop and give way to pedestrians or cyclists passing in the opposite direction. The main justification for overtaking is when pedestrians stop to take photos. This is typically done politely with appropriate care.

The Greig Street Bridge is 0.6 m (2 feet) wider and provides greater width and better sight-line than some local shared-use pavements (cycle tracks). Cycling across the bridge is quite common and is typically done with consideration. Cyclists will usually walk their bike if the bridge is busy. Each end is constricted by a pair of right-angled corners. BMX riders often leave the bridge by jumping the steps. (Some even jump up the steps.)

'No Cycling' signs contradict the reasonable access right of a Core Path.

'Cyclists Dismount' signs are often an indication of poor design. Here they are simply not appropriate.

The painted messages on the surface are unsightly.

All of these signs only serve to disrespect cyclists and encourage others to quote the law: - “Can't you read the sign?” - no matter how much care the cyclists show.

I have asked the Highland Council to remove these new messages and signs.

They could more suitably be replaced with a round, blue shared-use sign.

If it is really thought necessary, they could be supplemented with a blue rectangular sign with the text such as 'Pedestrian Priority'.

Your comments are welcome.

Antisocial Parking on Huntly Street

[Any of the images can be clicked to enlarge.]

Background

Huntly Street, Inverness is a restricted zone. The road is single lane one-way with a shared-use pavement on the river side and a pedestrian pavement on the other. Contra-flow cycling on the road is legal. Being a restricted zone, there are no yellow lines on the road but there are signs on lampposts at entry points and along the length of the road.
The shared-use pavement has a kerb flush with the road to give a pedestrianised feel but this unfortunately makes it too easy and inviting for drivers to drive onto and park their vehicles.

Enforcement

The Highland Council are preparing to take over parking enforcement (expected in November). Currently it remains the responsibility of Police Scotland. This usually means Traffic Wardens of which there used to be two for the whole of the Highland area (11,838 sq miles or 30,659 km2) but I believe there is now only one.

Law

I'm no legal expert but here are several key facts.
A pavement along the side of a road is legally referred to as a footway.
In Scotland, it is an offence (with certain exceptions) to drive on a footway but parking is not so clear.
Sandra White MSP (Glasgow Kelvin) has proposed legislation, The Footway Parking and Double Parking (Scotland) Bill, which has been agreed in principle by the Scottish Parliament.
However, a shared-use pavement (walking and cycling) is legally a cycle track.
Parking a motor vehicle on a cycle track is a definite offence under the Scotland (Roads) Act 1984
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1984/54/pdfs/ukpga_19840054_en.pdf
Part XI Offences 129 (6) - [Page 85]
"A person who parks a motor vehicle (...) wholly or partly on a cycle track commits an offence."

Parking Space

There is ongoing discussion about whether or not Inverness has adequate parking space provision. This will not be discussed here. This blog accepts the signage and law as it presently exists.
Focus here is on the section of Huntly Street shared-use pavement between Greig Street Bridge and the main Ness Bridge which includes a Loading Bay (which is a Parking Bay on Sunday) and a Disabled Bay.
As well as the motor traffic, Huntly Street is popular with people of all ages and (dis)abilities, with buggies, bikes and mobility scooters. It should provide an enjoyable walk/ride along the riverside.
Since the completion of the new flood wall [Huntly Street Uncovered] almost a year ago, the shared-use pavement has been frequently occupied with parked motor vehicles.

Experiment

On Sunday morning 08 May 2016 between 10am and 11am I approached drivers who had newly parked their car and asked them if they knew that that they had parked on a pavement or in a disabled bay (as appropriate).
Based on previous observation, I'd expected more vehicles to be parking but was pleasantly surprised to find there weren't too many so I was able to approach almost all the drivers directly and speak with them.

Results

Many drivers seemed genuinely surprised that parking on the shared-use pavement (cycle track) is an offence. Common responses were:
- It's OK on a Sunday.
- The Police have given us permission.
- Everyone else is doing it.
- I've parked here before.
- Where does it say that?

The attitude to parking in a Disabled Bay without displaying a Badge was similarly casual (although the responses were more apologetic and cooperative):
- I didn't see the sign.
Out of 6 cars, 1 displayed a badge, 4 moved on when informed, and 1 was briefly dropping off a passenger. Another 2 stayed on the road to drop passengers off.

Activity on the pavement near the Premier Inn seemed to be visitors leaving who had either parked on the pavement overnight or were being picked up by a taxi. There is a lot of pavement parking there at other times and may be the subject of a future study.

Activity nearer Greig Street was obviously related to church attendance, particularly at St Mary's.

Out of 8 drivers who parked on the pavement near the Greig Street Bridge, 1 already there moved away, 3 moved away after being informed, 1 walked over the bridge, 3 listened/discussed but stayed parked.

These latter four cars can be seen in the photo. Also in the picture is the 'Shared-Use' sign and a 'No Waiting At Any Time' sign. I purposely avoided photographing people but there were a lot around. To pass the parked cars, pedestrians would have to squeeze through the gap beside the wall or transfer onto the roadway.

Conclusion

These few inconsiderate parkers believe themselves to be more entitled than genuine pavement users. Even worse, they also act as a bad example and attract other less self-assured motorists to copy them.

Your comments are welcome.