Warning of 'pure bedlam' as large numbers head to Cramond

A Cramond resident said he feels “unsafe to go out the front door” as large numbers of people head to the beauty spot.
Packed scenes at CramondPacked scenes at Cramond
Packed scenes at Cramond

The man told the Evening News that Cramond Glebe Road was “choked with traffic” as groups of people made their way to the beach and across to the island.

It comes as the RNLI warned people to avoid walking out to Cramond Island this weekend given the causeway will be unsafe to use due to rising tide times.

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Police in Edinburgh also issued a plea this week for people to follow current lockdown rules following reports of people gathering in Portobello and the Pentland hills regional park.

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The Cramond resident said: "There were people everywhere, walking in the road, traffic jams. I don’t feel safe to go outside my own front door.

"The main road down to the Shore line was choked with traffic. Nobody can safely get past. There’s cars up on the pavement.

"Social distancing is impossible when it’s that packed. It’s chock a block. I don’t think people come out with the intention of breaking the rules but the sheer volume of people means people end up much closer than 2m. And there’s groups bigger than two.

Busy scenes at CramondBusy scenes at Cramond
Busy scenes at Cramond

"This is not a one-off. It’s like this many days. During the first lockdown the car park was closed and barricaded off. But now with the new deadly strain its allowed to stay open. It makes no sense. It’s causing pure bedlam.

"It feels like people are piling out to places much further than they should be going. I think the rules are being exploited. I have reported this to police previously, and I know other residents here have as well.

"That road is also the main access point for the coastguard. If there’s a medical emergency this could cost lives. I’ve seen ambulances not be able to get down that road before.”

Queensferry Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) earlier warned that rising tide times around Cramond Island this weekend mean that they are likely to see an increase in the number of calls to help walkers cut off by the tide.

Two weekends ago, volunteers at Queensferry RNLI were called out three times to rescue stranded walkers.

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A police Scotland spokesperson said: "We received a call about traffic queues in the area of Cramond Glebe Road around 2.15pm. Officers attended to help with traffic management, but there were no issues on arrival."

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