Commuters urged to plan ahead during Pope's visit

POLICE and transport officials are warning commuters to plan their journeys well in advance of the city's biggest ever security lock-down ahead of the Pope's visit on Thursday.

• Several roads will be closed when the Pope comes to the city.

An unprecedented police operation, involving both Strathclyde and Lothian and Borders officers as well as Vatican security guards, has been mounted to ensure the Pontiff's safety throughout his whistle-stop tour of the Capital and to facilitate protesters based outside the Usher Hall on Lothian Road from 11am-2pm.

• Click here to see a list of the street closures

The majority of bus routes and timetables will be affected by the heightened security detail and transport providers recommend passengers prepare for longer journey times as further delays and disruptions could occur on the day. Commuters were advised to visit www.lothianbuses.com and www.firstgroup.com/scotlandeast.

Lothian Buses is also set to position a "substantial" number of staff along major arteries to update customers on last-minute changes to services and the amended timetable should they arise.

Uninterrupted services within the city include Lothian Bus numbers 7, 14, 18, 20, 21, 32, 38, 49 and 69 which will operate their normal route and timetables, although may be affected by the expected congestion in the Capital. Other services will face diversions.

Bus routes that take in Princes Street will return to normal at around 3pm until 7.30pm when the city's main thoroughfare will again be closed as barriers are removed. From 7.30pm routes encompassing Princes Street will undergo diversions until the end of service on Thursday.

The Airlink service to the airport will depart from St Andrew Square and keep to its normal timetable until 3pm, when buses return to Waverley Bridge. First Buses noted changes to the number 43 service; Midlothian services including Borders Service X70; Borders Services excluding number 70. The 62/X95 operates to and from Edinburgh Bus station via Leith Street.

Despite traffic restrictions, pedestrians have access to the city centre but with greatly reduced crossing points due to crowd control barriers.

Full details of the crossing points can be found on the Edinburgh City Council website - www.edinburgh.gov.uk/Papal.

Bin collections will be made before road closures and traders have been reminded not to put out bins or kerbside sacks until after 5pm, when an afternoon collection will take place.

Meanwhile, Royal Mail have announced that there may be disruption with collection and deliveries on Thursday.