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Annex B
Pentland House, Edinburgh
Pentland House is located in the west of Edinburgh approximately 3.5km from the City Centre. Pedestrian and vehicle access is via Chesser Crescent.
The 2006 travel survey indicates that 60% of respondents drive to work, 18% come by bus, 6% on foot, 4% by rail, 2% cycle, 1% commute by motorcycle and 1% travel by other means.
Pedestrians
Internal pedestrian access from Chesser Crescent to the main entrance of the building is via a parking area / delivery access at the front of Pentland House. The number of vehicles within this area is minimal and speeds are limited. There have been no issues with pedestrian road safety in this area.
There are excellent pedestrian routes available to bus stops, Slateford Rail Station and local facilities such as ASDA Chesser.
The pedestrian network is well lit and maintained and formal crossing points are available at the surrounding signalised junctions.
PEDESTRIAN RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. Market to employees and visitors the location of pedestrian links available giving access to public transport and local facilities.
Cyclists
Cycle parking is available to front and rear of the building.
To the front, small racks and uncovered racks are provided. To the rear of the building covered Sheffield racks are available. The covered racks are located in close proximity to the rear entrance of the building.
The cycle racks are monitored by CCTV and the area is lit.
There are showers available but no lockers.
The National Cycle Network ( NCN) is approximately 800m to 1km to the south of Pentland House. Access to this route can be gained via Chesser Avenue and Slateford Road.
CYCLE RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Introduce lockers with hanging space.
2. Ensure that all employees are aware of the salary advance to purchase a bicycle.
3. Market the nearby National Cycle Network ( NCN) to employees.
4. Provide employees with information on viable cycle routes between Pentland House and other Scottish Government offices in Edinburgh and the Scottish Parliament.
5. Consider covered cycle parking at the front of the building.
6. Determine if demand exists for "pool bike" scheme.
Bus Infrastructure
The nearest bus stops are located on Chesser Avenue within a 2 minute walk of Pentland House. Further bus stops are located within a 5 to 10 minute walk on Gorgie Road and Slateford Road.
Bus stops are supplied with bus stop flags, shelters and seating. Timetable information, route and fare information are also on display.
Bus Service Provision
Bus services stopping in the immediate vicinity of Pentland House provide access to the City Centre, a number of residential areas in Edinburgh and some towns and villages in the West Lothian area. These services also provide access to a number of Park & Rides located around the periphery of Edinburgh.
Lothian Bus service 35 which runs along Chesser Avenue provides direct access to Ingliston Park & Ride and Edinburgh Airport.
Lothian Bus service 24, which runs along Slateford Road, provides a direct link to Hermiston Park & Ride.
Lothian Bus service 25, which runs along Gorgie Road, provides a direct public transport link to Hermiston Park & Ride.
Within a 5 to 10 minute walk of Pentland bus services running at a frequency of at least every 10 minutes can be accessed.
BUS RECOMMENDATIONS
1. 7% of all respondents are unaware of the interest free salary advance for annual season tickets. More publicity of this scheme may encourage a higher take up.
2. Continue to utilise the City singles.
3. Market available bus services via paper based media at the main reception and over the intranet. Ensure employees are aware of the bus services which provide public transport access to the other Scottish Government offices in Edinburgh and the Scottish Parliament from Pentland House.
4. Market the frequent bus services running from the Park & Rides located on the periphery of Edinburgh.
5. Consider a public transport information display at the main reception, this can either take the form of a paper based display or, if feasible, real time information display.
Rail Infrastructure
The nearest railway station to Pentland House is Slateford Station. Trains running to Glasgow Central from Waverley via Kingsknowe, Wester Hailes, Curriehill, West Lothian and Motherwell stop here. Trains stopping at Slateford Road run to an hourly frequency.
The nearest major rail station is Haymarket, this is approximately 3km from Pentland House and can be accessed via frequent bus services running along Gorgie Road.
Haymarket provides facilities for short and long distance travellers. The majority of trains destined for Waverley also call at Haymarket. This includes services coming from Glasgow, those serving the Bathgate Line and the Fife Circle, and the longer distance routes from England, Wales and the north of Scotland.
RAIL RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Provide employees with access to rail information e.g. www.firstscotrail.com, www.nationalrailenquiries.co.uk, www.transportdirect.co.uk, www.traveline.org.uk
2. Provide information to visitors on longer distance trips to consider accessing Pentland House by rail.
3. Encourage employees on longer distance trips to consider travel by rail as a good alternative to the private car.
Motorcyclists
A motorcycle parking area is provided within the covered car park to the east of the building. This area is lit and monitored by CCTV.
MOTORCYCLE RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Consider relining of surfacing and signing to highlight motorcycle parking.
Private Car
The majority of parking is located away from the main pedestrian entrance to the sides and rear of the building. Car parking is provided for senior management, pool cars (including a low-emission car) and travelling officers. Remaining car parking is distributed on a first come, first serve basis.
There is unrestricted parking on the surrounding streets.
CAR TRAVEL RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Rationalise the parking system
a. Designate parking in the area to the rear of the building for the following categories:
i. Disabled
ii. Pool Cars
iii. Travelling officers
iv. Low-emission Cars
v. Car sharers
2. Consider the implementation of a barrier system for entry / exit to the car park.
3. Continue to monitor the car park and implement an effective scheme to ensure that misuse of the car park management system does not occur.
4. Consider the allocation of remaining spaces to employees using a needs-based assessment utilising a permit based system.
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