RedRob72 Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 Could just bring back the Tolls, (manned booths for HGV's) at least there's a permanent check point there to turn back high sided vehicles when conditions are unsuitable. Too much queue hassle for motorists and the cost of building a return slip road perhaps? Did the FRB have this problem before the tolls were abolished just out of interest? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon EF Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 52 minutes ago, NorthernJambo said: So do we have barriers at every red light, only sell Velcro shoes so folk don't trip on their laces etc. etc. Like I say, I do appreciate your point but as someone above said, once we start implementing systems as per the lowest common denominator we're fucked. It's just practical for the FRB though. Even if something like this only happens once every decade, fixing some HSV barriers to kick in above a certain cross wind speed would be a cheap option to save the huge potential cost of the bridge being closed for a day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rugster Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 17 minutes ago, RedRob72 said: Could just bring back the Tolls, (manned booths for HGV's) at least there's a permanent check point there to turn back high sided vehicles when conditions are unsuitable. Too much queue hassle for motorists and the cost of building a return slip road perhaps? Did the FRB have this problem before the tolls were abolished just out of interest? The toll was only one way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shandon Par Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 Just now, Rugster said: The toll was only one way. Only from about late 90s or so. 30p and then 40p each way when I was younger. With all the tolls on the south side it wouldn't have stopped this happening. Took forever to firstly build and then dismantle the northbound only tollbooths. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthernJambo Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 I think I remember the tolls going up to 50p each way, then they got rid of the Fife side ones and made the Edinburgh side ones a quid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pull My Strings Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 The straightforward answer (after dealing with this miscreant) is surely to enforce the prohibition on high sided vehicles by imposing fines every time it's contravened. Plenty of cameras on the bridge already, including the automatic number plate recognition ones for the average speed enforcement. Fine the operator a couple of grand every time some HGV fud drives across in high winds and immediately remove the temptation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthernJambo Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 It's just practical for the FRB though. Even if something like this only happens once every decade, fixing some HSV barriers to kick in above a certain cross wind speed would be a cheap option to save the huge potential cost of the bridge being closed for a day. How much does the bridge being shut take out of taxpayers money? The barriers would have to come out taxpayers money which seems unfair. I've no idea how this would work and can see the theory behind it, but if it can be cheap and effective surely they'd consider it for the bridge which as far as I know they haven't? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
throbber Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 Can they not just build some sort of wind barrier that can protect all bridges from high winds? Like a massive tarpaulin sort of idea? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shandon Par Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 3 minutes ago, Pull My Strings said: The straightforward answer (after dealing with this miscreant) is surely to enforce the prohibition on high sided vehicles by imposing fines every time it's contravened. Plenty of cameras on the bridge already, including the automatic number plate recognition ones for the average speed enforcement. Fine the operator a couple of grand every time some HGV fud drives across in high winds and immediately remove the temptation. It still wouldn't physically prevent this from happening though. For example a driver who doesn't speak/read English and following their satnav could be blissfully unaware of the significance of the "Bridge Closed to High Sided Vehicles" signs. Folk following their satnav drive their HGVs down farm tracks, people drive into the sea - there's really nothing that can surprise you about how stupid folk can be. Every day in Edinburgh people drive down bus and tram only routes blissfully ignorant of what they are doing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shandon Par Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 9 minutes ago, throbber said: Can they not just build some sort of wind barrier that can protect all bridges from high winds? Like a massive tarpaulin sort of idea? I think the new bridge has some sort of wind barriers. No idea what they look like or what they are but it was part of the general mission statement about the new crossing that it would have some state of the art wind deflection stuff to stop closures. Eta... Pretty vague.. Current bridge stays open to cars in up to 80mph winds. New bridge wind deflectors can cope with wind up to 70mph. be interesting to see how it copes when it gets really windy. http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/transport/queensferry-crossing-bridge-to-beat-forth-weather-1-3303288 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthernJambo Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 Can they not just build some sort of wind barrier that can protect all bridges from high winds? Like a massive tarpaulin sort of idea? Big north face windbreaker jacket for the bridge? Like it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRob72 Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 Can they not just build some sort of wind barrier that can protect all bridges from high winds? Like a massive tarpaulin sort of idea? The Tarpaulin Curtains on high sided vehicles seem to be part of the problem, in the wind resistance they create and put even further pressure on the vehicle particularly if carrying a light load in high winds. Imagine the whole bridge tipping over into the drink!![emoji47], plus the covers might then be swept out into the North Sea, with very little chance of recovery? I think the potential cost/loss could be prohibitive here! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shandon Par Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 I have loads of rope and tarpaulin I'd be willing to give to thröbber for his intrepid engineering venture. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
throbber Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 I'm taking my idea to Dragons Den along with DA's sex pram. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pull My Strings Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 22 minutes ago, Shandon Par said: It still wouldn't physically prevent this from happening though. For example a driver who doesn't speak/read English and following their satnav could be blissfully unaware of the significance of the "Bridge Closed to High Sided Vehicles" signs. Folk following their satnav drive their HGVs down farm tracks, people drive into the sea - there's really nothing that can surprise you about how stupid folk can be. Every day in Edinburgh people drive down bus and tram only routes blissfully ignorant of what they are doing. Perhaps. I suspect you're talking about a vanishingly small number of HGV drivers crossing the bridge who genuinely don't have sufficient grasp of the language to recognise that the bridge is meant to be closed to them. For every guy whose van gets blown over there's probably hundreds who chance their arm and get away with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kennboy1978 Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 Can they not just build some sort of wind barrier that can protect all bridges from high winds? Like a massive tarpaulin sort of idea? Or a massive circular saw to ensure vehicles over seven feet high are seven feet high. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8MileBU Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 So do we have barriers at every red light, only sell Velcro shoes so folk don't trip on their laces etc. etc. Like I say, I do appreciate your point but as someone above said, once we start implementing systems as per the lowest common denominator we're fucked. I appreciate your point as well but all I'm suggesting is what I see as a potential solution. Yes it's all a bit 'nanny state' but IMO it's only a matter of time before another eejit chances their luck crossing the bridge, potentially endangering lives and causing unnecessary, prolonged tailbacks for miles around. The straightforward answer (after dealing with this miscreant) is surely to enforce the prohibition on high sided vehicles by imposing fines every time it's contravened. Plenty of cameras on the bridge already, including the automatic number plate recognition ones for the average speed enforcement. Fine the operator a couple of grand every time some HGV fud drives across in high winds and immediately remove the temptation. ^^^Solution found. Good suggestion. Even if they're lucky enough to make it across safely, a ban and huge fine for the driver and where applicable, a huge fine for the company as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthernJambo Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 It's the nanny state aspect I have an issue with 8mile. It feels like another example of dumbing down to cater for fuckwits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shandon Par Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 1 hour ago, Melanius Mullarkey said: A big red nazi tarpaulin and a sex pram. Meaden is going to love that The Forth Reich Crossing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon EF Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 3 hours ago, NorthernJambo said: How much does the bridge being shut take out of taxpayers money? The barriers would have to come out taxpayers money which seems unfair. I've no idea how this would work and can see the theory behind it, but if it can be cheap and effective surely they'd consider it for the bridge which as far as I know they haven't? I'd be willing to bet that sticking up a couple of barriers would cost the taxpayer a hell of a lot less than the direct costs of closing the bridge, clearing it up and repairing it. That's not even counting the indirect cost to 'taxpayers' through cost to the wider economy. That's completely aside from the danger to lives and property of lorries crossing in high winds. They haven't done it so far, isn't really a good argument against it. Good ideas tend not to be implemented until they are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.