Readers’ queries: Guttering on Royal Mile-St John Street tunnel

A query over guttering has received a swift response. If any other readers have information to share to help answer this question, please get in touch via the contact details below.

Q: Mrs Jacky Perry wrote: “Every morning on the way to work I pass through the tunnel from the Royal Mile to St John Street and have noticed that only the gutter on the right-hand side under the tunnel is metal. I have been trying to find out why, with not much success. It’s now becoming very frustrating.”

A: Melville Cunningham says: “It goes back to the old days of the horse and cart era, and there is another example just off Bonnington Road. What it was intended for was to cut down the amount of friction on the wheels of the carts. Wheels went on to it and prevented slippage.”