DRIVERS have been warned that several roads in a Scottish city centre will be closed for months as festival season gets underway.
Motorists in Edinburgh will be faced with major disruption that is set to last until September as thousands of visitors prepare to descend on the city in the coming days.
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A number of streets around Edinburgh will be closed for several weeksCredit: Getty
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Edinburgh City Council has released a map of the closuresCredit: edinburgh.gov.uk
Revellers are set to enjoy a flurry of events in the heart of the city over the summer months.
This includes the annual Edinburgh Fringe Festival and the highly anticipated Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
However, it means that several roads will be closed throughout the city over a number of weeks as a result.
The local council has now begun rolling out the restrictions and warned drivers that some could be implemented as early as next week.
While dates and times of vehicle restrictions will vary across the streets, some closures will kick in from Thursday, July 24.
And some bans will be in place until Sunday, September 7.
As we prepare to welcome the world to Edinburgh for our summer festivals, we’re making sure that these higher visitor numbers are managed safely and properly
Councillor Stephen JenkinsonTransport and Environment Convener
But the local council stressed these are “temporary changes” which are specifically “designed to make our streets easier and safer to walk around”.
Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Stephen Jenkinson told Edinburgh Live: “As we prepare to welcome the world to Edinburgh for our summer festivals, we’re making sure that these higher visitor numbers are managed safely and properly.
“We’ve made temporary changes to our city centre streets successfully during this period for many years and I’m sure that this summer will be no different.
“I’d like to thank our residents and businesses for their understanding and patience as we get ready to showcase and enjoy our city’s unparalleled cultural offering once again.”
Major Road Closure: 200-Mile Detour and Traffic Updates (1)
Here are all the details that motorists need to know about specific road closures across Edinburgh this summer:
High Street, St Giles Street, Parliament Square and Cockburn Street
These three streets will be closed between August 1 and August 24 while the Edinburgh Fringe and Tattoo get underway.
Vehicles will not be allowed access between 10.30am and 9pm during this time, and all loading and unloading will be permitted from 9pm until 10.30am.
The only exception to this is St Giles Street, which will be closed from 10.30am until midnight, or until 9pm on Sunday.
Anyone looking for a place for loading during these dates will need to head to the east-west section of St Giles Street, which can be accessed from Bank Street.
George Street
Another street that will be closed during the Fringe is George Street.
A section of the road between Hanover Street and Frederick Street will be shut to all vehicles from July 24 until August 26.
Only pedestrians and cyclists will be able to access this street.
All servicing, loading and unloading will have to be done at the Hanover Street side of the closure.
This area will be designated for this every day between 6am and 8am.
Johnston Terrace
This street will be significantly impacted over the next few months, with the road set to be closed from July 30 until September 7.
While the Tattoo event is on from July 30 until August 23, the road will be shut to all vehicles at various times.
These are:
- 5pm to midnight on July 30 and 31
- 5.30pm to midnight on weekdays between August 1 and 21
- 4pm to midnight on Saturdays, which falls on August 2, 9, 16 and 23
- 4pm to midnight on August 22
Vehicles will also not be allowed to service, load and unload during certain hours from August 23 until September 7.
This restriction will be in place from 6.30am until 10.30am, with no access into or from Lawnmarket.
Edinburgh Fringe ticket blamed on Oasis
EDINBURGH Fringe bosses have blamed Oasis’s sell-out Murrayfield megagigs for a massive slump in ticket sales.
The Mancunian rockers are set to play three nights at Scotland’s home of rugby on August 8, 9 and 12 as part of their highly anticipated reunion tour.
Between the three Oasis gigs and another AC/DC show on August 21, 290,000 revellers are expected to descend upon the capital – clashing directly with the Fringe, which runs throughout most of August.
Festival promoters and venue operators fear that punters could be put off from attending the Fringe due to the unprecedented demand from music fans.
Bookings for the international comedy festival, which runs throughout August, are reportedly down by 35 per cent for some shows.
The Fringe, which heavily relies on last-minute ticket sales, is now facing a significant challenge.
Organisers are expected to launch desperate last-minute efforts to boost attendance, including targeting local audiences and encouraging concert-goers to extend their stay and attend Fringe shows.
Blair Street, Cowgate and East Adam Street
All of these areas will be closed at various times from July 28 until August 26.
Drivers will not be able to access Blair Street from South Bridge for 30 metres westwards.
The one-way system that is usually in place will be revoked during these dates.
And there will be an area set up at the northern end of the north-south section to allow for loading and turning.
Cowgate will be closed on the same dates between the junctions with Candlemaker Row and Blackfriars Street.
It will be shut to all vehicles between 3pm and 5am every day, with only cyclists allowed in the area.
During this time, locals can get access in and out through Guthrie Street.
While East Adam Street will be closed at the junction with The Pleasance.
Lawnmarket
This area will be closed to drivers between Castlehill and George IV Bridge from July 31 and September 7.
Only pedestrians and cyclists will be allowed to pass through, with no vehicle access permitted.
Servicing, loading and unloading will take place from the eastern end of Johnston Terrace.
This can be accessed through Johnston Terrace and will be available every day between 6.30am and 10.30am.
Read more on the Scottish Sun
Edinburgh City Council has also warned that there will be other short-term restrictions in place throughout the city for other events.
When details for these have been released, they will be posted on the city council website.
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Visitors have been urged to plan ahead during the peak festival seasonCredit: Getty