Knocked-down Edinburgh tourist named

POLICE have confirmed the victim of an Edinburgh road accident was a 71-year-old tourist from Moscow.

Galina Tuyakova was walking with a friend in Palmerston Place in the West End on Thursday night when she was hit by a van.

Her companion and the van driver were uninjured, police said.

Lothian and Borders Police issued a fresh appeal for witnesses to the accident, which happened around 8:30pm.

A police spokesman said: “Some people have already come forward but offiers investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident are eager to hear from anyone who witnessed it.”

The road was closed for several hours.

The surrounding area was already subject to traffic diversions, put in place as part of continuing tram works.

The woman who died was with a friend near the junction with Rothesay Place at around 8.30pm. It is understood she may have tripped as she stepped off the pavement and was then hit by a small van-type vehicle.

One local resident said he wrote to the city council nine months ago, telling of his fears that someone would be killed at the spot due to increased traffic in the area.

Temporary barriers and a pedestrian crossing warning sign were subsequently installed at the junction, but residents had since called for further improvements.

Rothesay Place resident and engineer Paul Thomson wrote to the council on June 7 last year warning them that it was “dangerous to cross the road safely”.

The 41-year-old wrote: “In the short time the traffic has been redirected through Rothesay Place, I have seen near-miss accidents and several near misses with pedestrians crossing the roads on a daily basis, including myself and my staff.

“The area of Rothesay Place and Rothesay Terrace has families and elderly residents and from what I have witnessed in the last few weeks there will be a death on this street as a direct result of the way the transport system is functioning.

“Complete disregard has been given to public safety for which you are responsible for.”

Bruce Findlay, former Simple Minds manager, who lives in the area, said: “The road is very dangerous for pedestrians and redirected traffic moves too fast.”

Another resident said there was a 20mph limit, but it was routinely ignored by motorists.

City transport convener Councillor Lesley Hinds said: “We are very saddened to hear about this fatal collision and our deepest sympathies go out to the family and friends of the lady who lost her life.

“We don’t yet know the full circumstances of this terrible accident. It is crucial that we allow the police to carry out a thorough investigation into the incident so that we can all understand exactly what happened.”

Police have asked anyone who witnessed the incident to contact them on the non-emergency 101 number or via the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

In October 2011, road chiefs came under fire after creating an “absolute nightmare” for drivers and residents by diverting traffic through Palmerston Place while work was carried out on Haymarket Terrace.