Historic Scotsman stairs set to be closed overnight in revamp

THEY have been plagued with vandals and rough sleepers for years.

Now, finally, there may be a permanent solution to the problem of the historic Scotsman Steps.

Gates are set to be installed to close off the steps at night as part of a major refurbishment being carried out by the city council.

The iron gates would be installed at the entrances to the steps on North Bridge and Market Street, as part of a 125,000 overhaul. The steps would be closed after the departure of the last train from Waverley Station, and opened up in the morning ahead of the first train.

If approved, the proposed work would take place later this year, and would see the steps closed off to the public for up to six months.

It comes ahead of separate plans by Turner Prize-winning artist Martin Creed to "beautify" the steps by re-paving them using different types of marble from around the world in a project being developed with the city council and Edinburgh World Heritage.

The Grade-A listed steps, which were originally gated, were built in 1899 as part of the Scotsman Buildings, designed by James Dunn and James Finlay.

The condition of the steps has deteriorated over the last century, however, with much of the area covered in graffiti and the original stonework damaged and worn.

In addition, the steps are poorly lit and are now associated with antisocial behaviour.

As part of the revamp, existing lighting would be removed, to clear the way from new "more abundant" lighting throughout the steps. Stonework would be repaired along with the intricate carvings and cornices, and the steps would be cleared of graffiti, overgrown foliage and mould.

Bill Cowan, of the Edinburgh Old Town Association, welcomed the planned improvements to the steps, but said he did not believe they should be closed off by gates.

"The steps are in a real state at the moment, and they are basically used as a toilet at night so it is not very pleasant to use them and it is a real shame," he said.

"We would welcome any improvement, and that is the sort of work that can do a lot of good for the area, and it will be something which people appreciate.

"The steps are still quite well used. I do not think there will be a lot of support for putting in gates and closing off the steps at night, however, even though there is a problem with antisocial behaviour. This is a public right of way, so it doesn't seem right to close it off at all."

A council spokesman said: "Historically the gates were closed after the last train at night and reopened in advance of the first morning train, and it is our intention to reinstate architecturally designed gates during the renovation of the Scotsman Steps."