Extra Princes Street crossings aim to keep Festival crowds on right track

Published on Wednesday 29 July 2009 22:06

FIVE pedestrian crossings are to be opened up across the tramworks in Princes Street in Edinburgh City Council's "mitigation plan" for the Festival's biggest headache.

The city is handing out 160,000 navigator maps in an effort to open up pedestrian routes across the city between key Festival venues.

The new openings include a ten metre wide crossing at Hanover Street, opening up access down the Mound to cope with the heaviest Festival footfalls.

A spokesman for the umbrella organisation Festivals Edinburgh called it a "big win" to cope with high volumes of people heading for the New Town.

Two new daylight-only crossings will lead into Princes Street Gardens, using the gardens' walkways for access.

Growing concern over the impact of the tramworks on Festival traffic has led to weekly meetings between the council, Edinburgh Trams and Festival chiefs.

Fringe director Kath Mainland said: "It has always been the case that the best way to get around Edinburgh in August is on foot.

"We will make sure that visitors and locals know the best routes to get between the different venues, making sure that everybody has the best possible experience at the Festival."

Edinburgh Trams announced it was launching new Twitter and Facebook feeds with newsflashes for visitors, while a trial run of a Bluetooth system sending messages to mobile phones is also under way.

"This increased promotion and communication will ensure that festival goers can attend their shows and events as quickly and as safely as possible," said trams spokeswoman Mandy Haeburn-Little.

Concern was centred on pedestrian access for major New Town venues, including the Edinburgh International Book Festival on Charlotte Square and the Assembly Rooms.

Most of the changes will be in place this weekend. The Hanover Street/Mound crossing is being moved west and widened. The western openings across Princes Street will close when the gardens do, at twilight, between 8:30pm and 9:30pm.

"People will find their way around, and they will find their way to Charlotte Square," said a book festival spokeswoman. "We are not late-night operators."

Universal Arts has three Fringe venues, including the New Town Theatre at the Freemason's Hall on George Street. Director Laura Mackenzie Stuart said: "Advance ticket sales are looking strong, so I don't think people have been put off.

"There's been a lot of attention given to signage, making people know where the crossings are and which way to go."

"I hope people will be bright enough to read them and get to where you want them to be."

Maps are being distributed by Essential Edinburgh staff, at visitor information centres, box offices, hotels, museums, theatres, airports and transport hubs.

With two crossing places already on eastern Princes Street, and a sixth at Waterloo Place, pedestrian access is the same as in previous years, said the Festivals Edinburgh spokesman.

Council leader Jenny Dawe said: "We are looking forward to welcoming the usual influx of tourists to the city and providing them with a Festival experience that will ensure not only their return but their encouragement of others to visit Edinburgh."