Edinburgh Summertime Streets scheme not running this year

A scheme to pedestrianise some of Edinburgh’s city centre streets has been scrapped this year.

The Summertime Streets initiative saw parts of the Royal Mile restricted to traffic from July 28 o 1 September last year during the capital’s busy festival season.

But this year’s festivals have been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic and the city council have decided not to re-introduced the scheme.

Council Leader Adam McVey said: “Summertime Streets won’t be running this year following the cancellation of the summer festivals, which usually bring a significant increase in pedestrian numbers during August.

“However, we are working on a range of improvements to make it easier and safer to walk, cycle and spend time in the city centre and across our communities in the coming months.

“Our Spaces for People programme supports travel by foot, bicycle, wheelchair or public transport as lockdown restrictions are eased.

“As part of this we will be delivering schemes to encourage footfall in the heart of the city and other town centres, such as temporary pavement widening or pedestrianisation of some streets.”