The council is taking steps to ensure that rugby fans have the best possible access to city bars, restaurants and shops when Scotland take on the All Blacks this Sunday and South Africa the following Saturday.

Traders raised concerns at the council’s tram stakeholder meetings that takings could be affected if crowds are directed away from the Shandwick Place area.  Whilst diversions will be in place after the matches for safety reasons, access to the West End is being improved.

Transport Convener Lesley Hinds said:-

“We know how important rugby internationals are for businesses in the area so we want supporters to know that the West End, and indeed the whole city, is open for business. We’re making special arrangements to improve access to the area by repositioning barriers, putting up signs that point to the area  and installing a temporary crossing point so people can cross the tram work site.

“Whilst the primary aim of the police when dealing with crowds is to ensure safety, we’ve made them aware that access to the area will be improved. By working together with police and with traders we hope that rugby fans will take advantage what’s on offer.”

The following actions are being taken to improve access:

– Temporary crossing point  to be installed at Canning Street/Stafford Street
– Stewards to manage pedestrian flow at Shandwick Place
– Russell Road is now fully open and signposted allowing access into the city centre from Gorgie and Dalry, with no restrictions or diversions.
– The SRU are providing stewards to lead  spectators back into the city centre.
– Signs will be erected on the route directing people towards the bars restaurants and shops at the West End.

Pre-match access

There are no restrictions to pedestrian access to the West End before the match. The Police may take action to prevent access if they are concerned about any public order issues but nothing is anticipated or planned that will prevent access to the area by shoppers or by fans on their way to Murrayfield.

Post-match access

Over 40,000 people are expected to make their way back into the city following the matches and, as always, safety is the priority. As has happened over the last two years there will be diversions, carefully planned by the police and the council’s public safety team.

The Haymarket junction is closed to pedestrians coming from West Coates. There is a choice for pedestrians at the corner of Magdala Crescent – those going to Haymarket Station continue on towards the station where a queue system is in place to lead them to the trains.  All others are diverted up through Magdala Crescent and Eglinton Crescent towards Palmertson Place where signs will point back to the West End.

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Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
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