DRIVERS are being warned of fresh roads chaos in the city centre when the Canongate closes for a month on Monday for resurfacing work.
The project will coincide with a series of roadworks across the city, which includes gas mains work on Lauriston Place, the ongoing revamp of the Grassmarket, and tram work at The Mound junction of Princes Street, which is due to get under way on We
dnesday.
In addition to this, Johnston Terrace is also closed, because of a rock fall from Edinburgh Castle.
Motoring groups today said the combination of works is likely to cause serious delays in the city centre.
The projects on both the Grassmarket and Lauriston Place have already created serious peak-time delays as drivers face a series of temporary traffic lights.
The £300,000 resurfacing project will see the whole of Canongate closed between St Mary's Street and the Scottish Parliament.
Diversions will be in place for the duration of the project, and council chiefs today said the work was essential.
However, Bruce Young, Lothian and Borders co-ordinator of the Association of British Drivers, said it may be the final straw for some drivers.
He said: "I think it simply reinforces the message that people need to avoid the city centre right now.
"Even the buses are being delayed significantly and this means it is just not worth it.
"What is most concerning is the cumulative effect of all these works and what impact that will have."
In March, members of the Old Town Community Council took to the historic street to count the number of times potholes and utility works on the road have been patched up.
There were a total of 415 patches, which was blamed on heavy use of the road in recent decades with projects such as the building of the Scottish Parliament.
Raymond Davidson, secretary of the Edinburgh Taxi Association, added: "The Canongate is a very well used road and takes a lot of the pressure off the surrounding streets."
He added: "There just seems to be no end in sight at the moment.
"It makes you wonder how much more we can take before it all grinds to a halt."
Last year the Evening News revealed that more than £70 million needed to be spent to bring Edinburgh's worn-out roads and pavements up to scratch.
Local councillor Joanna Mowat said: "People have been asking for this resurfacing work for a long time now. I know it is an awful cliche, but you can't make an omelette without breaking eggs.
"There will obviously be a lot of short-term pain with these works but we can't put extra money into improving our roads if we don't get on and do the work."
Councillor Robert Aldridge, the city's environment leader, said:
"Of course this work cannot be done without closing the road and local diversions will be in place.
"However, it's essential that it gets carried out to prevent future deterioration of the surface.
"We're ensuring that access is maintained for businesses and residents, and I'm sure that everyone who uses the Canongate will benefit from the improved road once works are complete."
The full article contains 538 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
