Multiple road closures will be in place from Edinburgh starting next week as festival season begins to take over the Scottish capital.
Starting on Monday 15 July, the first phase of restrictions will begin, with the Old Town area to be hit with the most impact. Lawnmarket and Johnstone Terrace will be the first areas to close, followed by High Street, St Giles Street, and Cockburn Street later this month.
The Edinburgh Fringe and Tattoo kicks off on Friday 2 August as the city experiences an influx of visitors with tens of thousands of tourists set to attend parts of the annual event.
City of Edinburgh Council has released a full list of the closures on its website, and has issued advice for residents living in the affected areas.
The roads will be closed for the most part of each day but will re-open overnight from the hours of 7 pm and 10:30 am.
Council Leader Cammy Day said: "Whilst we’re rightly proud to be welcoming performers and visitors from all over the world for our summer festivals, we need to make sure this influx is managed safely and properly. We’ve made temporary successful changes to streets in the Old Town during this period for a number of years and I’m sure this summer will be no different.
"I’d like to thank our residents and businesses for their understanding as we get ready to showcase Edinburgh as the world’s cultural capital once again."
Businesses are being warned of the restrictions and the potential impact on waste collection and deliveries during the busy period.
A statement on the local authority’s website reads: “Businesses will need to make sure their waste collections are completed before the affected streets close. You may have to place your waste collection in an alternative location.
"We have contacted trade waste companies to make them aware of these changes.
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"The changes also mean that loading and servicing must take place during the period the streets are open, generally overnight between 7pm and 10.30am.
"Outside of these times, and in some closed streets, suppliers and delivery drivers may need to park some distance away from your location to make deliveries.
"Please make sure that your supplier or delivery drivers are aware of the changes and the potential impacts on their delivery schedules."
However, the council say some exceptions will be made for vehicle access in the event of unavoidable circumstances, but anyone needing access should get in touch with them as soon as possible via email.
The full list of closures are as follows:
Locations times and dates for Edinburgh road closures.
High Street, St Giles Street (in part), Parliament Square(s) and Cockburn Street
Edinburgh Fringe and Tattoo from 31 July to 25 August
- High Street, St Giles’ Street and Cockburn Street - closed to vehicles between 10.30am and midnight (Monday to Saturday) and 10.30am to 9pm on Sundays.
- Loading and unloading permitted from midnight until 10.30am. No waiting permitted at any time.
- St Giles Street has an area restricted to allow loading 10.30am to 7pm in the east-west section (accessed from Bank Street/North Bank Street).
- Cockburn Street waiting, loading and unloading permitted from midnight until 10.30am.
Blair Street
Edinburgh Fringe from 5 August to 26 August
- Closed to vehicles from South Bridge for 30 metres westwards.
- Normal one-way is rescinded and there is an area restricted to allow loading and turning at the northern end of the north-south section.
Lawnmarket (Castlehill to George IV Bridge)
Summer Streets - 15 July to 30 September
- One way eastbound from Johnston Terrace for bus, coach, taxis and cycles only between 10.30am to 6.30pm daily.
- Access for servicing, loading and unloading 6.30pm – 10.30am (access via Johnston Terrace).
- Advisory 5mph speed limit.
Tattoo – 31 July to 24 August
- Closed to vehicles from 4pm, 5pm or 5.30pm to midnight for the Tattoo.
- 5pm on 31 July and 1 August, 5.30pm weekdays (except 9 August)
- 4pm on 3, 9, 10, 17 and 24 August.
- General vehicle access, one way eastbound, midnight until 10.30am
Additional vehicle restrictions will be in place from 30 September to the end of July 2025 to allow us to carry out major road repairs. More information will be provided at a later date.
Johnston Terrace
Summer Streets - 15 July to 30 September
- Access for all vehicles from 15 July to 30 September.
- No access into Lawnmarket except buses, taxis and cycles 10.30am – 6.30pm
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