Tenth (and final) Observation (20th March 4:30-5:30pm)
We have now reached the final observation of this study on the public's use of the Telfer Underpass in Dalry. The results of todays findings, in conjunction with all previous observations will be used as the basis for the Phase One Coursework Report.
Up until this point no interviews have been carried out so as not to influence any of the observations, and have been performed today in order to find out if they validate or contradict what has been surmised by carrying out these observations.
Observation
Date: 20/03/15
Time: 16:30 - 17:30
Weather: Light, windy, cold (5°)
Findings:
I arrived at the observation point at 16:30 and as has been the case for most Fridays the underpass is very busy, so much so that I need to move my observation point to standing in the entrance of the overpass from the stairs as I was in peoples way.
It is not dissimilar to other busy days during the week, there are a great deal of people passing through each minute, too many to count and certainly in the hundreds.
As the use of the underpass does not seem to be changed much I focussed on attempting to interview the public. This was troublesome at first, many did not have the time to talk (understandably as this is not generally an area for congregation).
However during the hour I managed to interview the necessary 3 people.
A brief synopsis of my interviewee One:
The interviewee is male, lives nearby and uses the underpass at least twice a day, most days of the week. His main use for the underpass is getting between his flat and getting to Haymarket Station for his commute to work, and any time he is heading to that part of the city.
He has never really considered any other uses for the underpass, although likes the childrens murals at either end of the underpass, and thinks they brighten the area up.
With the exception of the murals interviewee one does not like the look of the underpass, he mentioned it is painted over frequently but always covered in generally bad graffiti. He also mentioned how it usually looks in a state of disrepair.
When asked about the reported violence and troubles in the underpass interviewee one had never encountered any violence himself, but has heard about it, and admits it can be daunting depending on the evening, but necessary to get home without a detour.
The following excerpt is from my interview with Two:
Interviewee two is a female student who also lives nearby and uses the underpass frequently as it is the main route between her flat and surrounding areas such as the park at the southern entrance to the underpass.
Similarly (and what seems to be a recurring theme) interviewee two does not see any additional uses or methods of appropriation for the underpass, it is simply a route for getting between area. Although interviewee two did mention that she is fond of the buskers who play regularly, and they can often cheer her up.
I questioned about the perceived safeness of the underpass and she mentioned that she does not feel particularly safe going through the underpass on her own in the evening. After 9 o'clock interviewee two will very rarely use the underpass unaccompanied and look for alternative routes.
For interviewee Three, I purposefully chose another female as the results of my observations are veering towards the projects ability to make this area safer, particularly for females.
Interviewee three is female and works closeby in a call centre, her use of the underpass is limited to just before 9am and just after 5pm Monday - Friday unless she swaps shifts, takes overtime etc.
The interviewee is not all that familiar with the underpass except for her two 30 seconds journeys each working day, but noted that it does not look very inviting or particularly safe.
When again questioned on the safeness of the area it was pointed out that if she is working after a certain time she will wait for a colleague who is going the same way or take an alternative route. Interviewee three was aware of the attacks on both genders which had occurred in the underpass and feels more needs to be done to improve safety in the underpass, mentioning that there are often groups of teenagers who do not attempt to intimidate her or others, but their presence in the confined space makes her on edge.













