Why is this busy bus stop closed in August?

Questions are being asked as to why The City of Edinburgh Council has closed a bus stop outside The Cameo this month for the second year in a row.

The cinema is one of several venues to be used by Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF).

The stop uniquely serves seven Lothian Bus routes as well as some long-distance services.

Local resident Peter Brown uncovered the plan, after the stop was closed for the EIFF last year. He said: “It is a critical bus stop as it connects Colinton and Morningside with Lauriston Place and Lothian Road. It is the only bus stop that does that. I understand it was closed “so that VIPs could pull up outside the cinema”.”

A council source has said that the application came from EIFF and the stop will be closed from 14 to 21 August inclusive. The request was “carefully considered and focuses on ensuring the safety of pedestrians, their audiences, and their team. Alternative bus stops are available some 200m away”. The Edinburgh Reporter was also informed that the bulk of the activity will be every day from 9am until midnight and that “Similar to other buildings used as festival venues, there are unique challenges presented distinct from the normal operations of these buildings, and these require to be addressed so that it can safely accommodate the activities.”

Despite contacting event organisers and the council with his concerns, Mr Brown received no explanation until City Centre councillor, Claire Miller, was given information that the closure was for reasons of safety of pedestrians, audiences, and staff.

The Edinburgh Reporter understands that to deliver the events at the Cameo, EIFF will have regular load-ins and load-outs of heavy technical equipment, alongside high foot traffic from registration and ticket sales. This combination of equipment movement and audiences gathering before and after films and events creates potential safety risks that they have a duty to actively manage. While the existing loading bay is adequate under normal circumstances it is not sufficient on its own for the extraordinary activity involved. There is no alternative temporary location that would not result in removal of all loading from the vicinity.

Absurd argument

If it is the case that the existing loading bay cannot cope, Mr Brown said the explanation is “absurd, as the Cameo has at least three other entrances available”.

Edinburgh Living Streets Group said it was “very concerned”, adding “why is equipment not delivered through the Lochrin Terrace entrance, which would avoid conflict with high footfall on Home Street entirely?” and has asked whether the Council carried out an Equality Impact Assessment.

Despite Council and Film Festival claims that the bus stop closure is for safety rather than for ease, local sources say that the closure would help to avoid “interfering with red carpet visuals”.

A spokesperson for Edinburgh Bus Users Group said: “When bus stops are temporarily closed, a temporary stop is usually put in place. Last September’s Council meeting recognised the transport pressures from the Festival and set up discussions with event organisers to encourage the use of sustainable transport. Frankly this hasn’t filtered through in this case.”

Transport and Environment Convener, Cllr Stephen Jenkinson said: “I appreciate that the temporary removal of this bus stop will be inconvenient for some residents. However, our overriding priority is rightly safety, both for those visiting and working at the Cameo during the festival season and for people walking nearby or using public transport.

“Alongside our partners, we’ll continue to review these arrangements for future editions. We’re committed to finding the most effective balance between the needs of residents and of our cultural offering.”

Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.

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