One of Edinburgh New Town's iconic streets will be restricted to traffic as part of a pilot project to create a major Festival hub in the city centre.
The City of Edinburgh Council agreed to a plan proposed by Essential Edinburgh, the company that runs the city centre Business Improvement District, to extend the Festival hub along the entire length of George Street from 1st to 25th August.
Until now, the plans were only for the Assembly Rooms block, which is to be entirely closed to traffic to allow space for the SpiegelTerrace.
Under the plan areas of the entire length of the street will be freed up for pedestrians, with local restaurants and bars spilling into the street, and performances from the various festivals at different staging points along the street.
Traffic will continue to flow, but along one side of the street only, and parking will also be maintained.
“This development on George Street will help to bring back some of the fantastic festival vibe to the New Town and ease the pressure on other parts of the city centre, especially around the Royal Mile," said Councillor Steve Cardownie.
"It’s also a very welcome step towards the continental cafe culture that we’ve all been looking for in the capital,” he added.
Weather permitting, naturellement.
Traffic details
The project will see half of the street closed in each block, with traffic flowing west on the south side of George Street between Frederick Street and the West End, and eastwards on the north side of the street between Hanover Street and the East End. Access lanes will also be maintained for use by emergency vehicles.