Meadows set to get a breather

Published on Thursday 16 October 2008 10:16

MAJOR events such as the Lady Boys of Bangkok and Taste Edinburgh could be moved away from the Meadows next year in a bid to let the park recover after two years of heavy use and wet weather.

The move follows calls by campaigners for a two-year moratorium on large events at the park after sections were left deep in churned-up mud following this year's festival season.

Council chiefs are now in talks with the four main event organisers to try and find alternative venues for next year.

They are targeting the Taste of Edinburgh Festival, the Moonwalk, the Great Edinburgh Run and Urban Circus, which operates a big top on the Meadows during the festival season hosting shows including the Lady Boys of Bangkok and the Chinese State Circus.

No alternatives have been confirmed, but possibilities include Holyrood Park or next to Ocean Terminal.

Peng Lee Yap, chairman of campaign group Friends of the Meadows, was "delighted" but said: "

There needs to be a proper policy of the council as to how they distribute events round the city for the benefit of numerous communities.

"A one-year moratorium doesn't achieve much because, after two or three years, similar damage will occur all over again."

Event organisers pay a refundable bond to the council of between 2000 and 7000 in case of repairs. This year, all of the money is to be used.

Popular event Urban Circus has been staged at the Meadows for 14 summers. General manager Neville Wilson, said: "The decision as to whether we were happy to move would be made at director level. There are a lot of factors that would govern that sort of decision."

Event manager for the Great Edinburgh Run, Andy Mitchelmore, said: "The nature of our event is that it's not just based in the Meadows, it's dependent on a 10km route around the city.

"If we had to move we'd look at it, but it would probably mean that we'd have to have a new course."

Taste of Edinburgh is committed to return in 2009, but representatives of the Moonwalk were not available for comment.

A city council spokesman said: "We are currently reviewing the management of events in the city's parks and green spaces.

"We are putting together a range of options which will be presented to councillors."