{"id":1146112,"date":"2026-08-13T11:47:27","date_gmt":"2026-08-13T11:47:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/1146112\/"},"modified":"2026-08-13T11:47:27","modified_gmt":"2026-08-13T11:47:27","slug":"waterloo-place-to-be-partially-closed-for-three-months","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/1146112\/","title":{"rendered":"Waterloo Place to be partially closed for three months"},"content":{"rendered":"

Waterloo Place<\/a> \u2013 a major artery in Edinburgh\u2019s city centre \u2013 is set to be closed for around three months while a \u00a33m sewer upgrade is completed.<\/p>\n

Scottish Water<\/a> said these works have become \u201cessential\u201d to safeguarding Edinburgh\u2019s wastewater network<\/a> after a collapse was discovered beneath the road.<\/p>\n

The utility company also stated it expects Waterloo Place to be shut westbound \u2013 between Calton Hill<\/a> and Leith Street \u2013 for 11 weeks from 7 September.<\/p>\n

The closure at the east end of Princes Street means that Edinburgh commuters will enjoy no reprieve after the planned reopening of Princes Street \u2013 slated for late August.<\/p>\n

Westbound traffic will be diverted away via London Road and Leith Street, while temporary bus stops will also be installed for eastbound commuters.<\/p>\n

Scottish Water, who have appointed Mackenzie Construction as a contractor, said the works are \u201ccomplex\u201d but \u201cessential\u201d.<\/p>\n

In a statement, they explained the works will involve strengthening \u201can existing manhole and the surrounding ground, as well as installing a new section of sewer pipe underground using specialist equipment\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe works will also include diverting and upgrading a 130-year-old 12-inch cast iron water main with around 25 metres of new pipeline,\u201d they added.<\/p>\n

To avoid digging up the entire road surface, contractors will dig a deep working shaft so that the new pipe can be pulled through and underneath the road surface.<\/p>\n

Scottish Water\u2019s statement continued: \u201cWe will also be carrying out repairs on other sections of the sewer through a patch-lining process, as well as cleaning of the sewer.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis section of sewer runs close to multiple other underground services, meaning that the work is complex and must be carried out safely.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo allow this to happen, Waterloo Place will need to be closed in the westbound direction to all vehicles for approximately 11 weeks while our team carry out these repairs and upgrades.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe eastbound lane will remain open to traffic.\u201d<\/p>\n

They added that the repairs will reduce the risk of flooding and \u201cprotect homes, businesses and local infrastructure from potential future damage\u201d.<\/p>\n

A stretch of Princes Street \u2013 on the opposite end to Waterloo Place \u2013 remains closed after a fire ripped through the former Debenhams department store.<\/p>\n

The closure, which has forced the diversion of major bus routes and cancellation of trams to Newhaven, is expected to last until late August, but the council said work to secure the site is weather-dependent.<\/p>\n