From Sunday Waverley Bridge will no longer be a pedestrian priority street, as set out in the council’s Future Streets policy, when airport buses begin using it again as a terminus.
A bus gate was put in place on 24 June allowing both Lothian and McGill’s to run their airport services from Waverley Bridge as they did before 2020 when the bridge was stopped up at Princes Street. At that point a taxi rank was retained on the bridge and commercial vehicles continued to access Waverley Mall, but pedestrians enjoyed a quieter space where buskers gathered.
The move has come about as a result of the bus stop at South St David Street closing during the development of the former Jenners’ store into a hotel and retail units. Transport Convener Scott Arthur has confirmed that bus operators know that it is expected that buses will move back to South St David Street after the two year closure.
Footpaths at the north and south entrances to Princes Street Gardens will be widened and traffic from Princes Street will be prevented from a right turn onto Waverley Bridge.
These are the rules around the Temporary Traffic Regulation Order (which is produced in full below):
- No Waiting Loading Unloading
South St David Street from its junction with St Andrew Square to its junction with Princes Street on both sides.
Rose Street (between South St David Street and Hanover Street) from the east side of its westerly junction with Rose Street North Lane to its junction with South St David Street (approx. 110m) on both sides.
Rose Street South Lane (between South St David Street and Hanover Street) from its eastmost junction with Rose Street southbound for approximately 25 metres. - Road Closure
Rose Street South Lane (between South St David Street and Hanover Street) from its eastmost junction with Rose Street southbound for approximately 25 metres. Diversion via West entrance to Rose Street South Lane. - Buses, Cycle and Taxi Only
Buses, Cycles and Taxis only permitted to travel in the southbound direction of South St David Street from its junction with Rose Street to its junction with Princes Street - Bus Only
Buses permitted to exit Waverley Bridge onto Princes Street in a northbound direction. (Exit Only). - Banned Turn
Right turn manoeuvre prohibited from Waverley Bridge into Princes Street. Left Turn From Waverley Bridge into Princes Street Permitted to Buses Only.
Left turn manoeuvre prohibited from Meuse Lane into South St David Street for all traffic except Buses Cycles and Taxis.
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.