Edinburgh’s mystery knitter launches tram protest

The tram stop bench covered in wool. Picture: Contributed

A MILITANT knitter has struck in Edinburgh again - by covering a tram stop in a woolly protest blanket.

Benches and a ticket machine at the West End stop were covered in multicoloured wool, with slogans such as ‘£1 billion down the drain’ and ‘Still a tramway to hell.’

The latter phrase harks back to a previous incident, where barriers surrounding tram works in September 2012 were covered with a blanket proclaiming ‘Tramway to Hell.’

It’s not the first time a mystery knitter has struck in Edinburgh.

Knitted sweaters have appeared on lampposts along Elm Row, while Princes Street Gardens benches were covered in woolly bunting during the 2012 Edinburgh International Festival.

The Leith Festival has in the past encouraged people to make jumpers for local trees as part of the Cool Wool event while Occupy Edinburgh protesters in 2011 adorned trees with woolly items in St Andrew Square.

The practice’s origins are up for debate, with some claiming it began in the Netherlands, while others believe it to be an American invention.

A trams spokesman told the Evening News: “It is certainly very colourful and we admire the obvious skill that has gone into its creation.”

It is believed that the woolly blankets are currently in the possession of Transport for Edinburgh.