Part of Princes Street Gardens closed seven times in last year

THE south portion of Princes Street Gardens West was closed to the public seven times in 2009, new figures show.

Among the reasons for the closures were accommodating equipment for the Hogmanay celebrations and maintenance work on Castle Rock. The area is owned by Historic Scotland and maintained under a leasing arrangement by the city council.

During a council meeting, Labour councillor Ewan Aitken had asked whether this level of closure was necessary.

Councillor Robert Aldridge, the city's environment leader, said: "It is essential to protect the health and safety of people. But I take the point of ensuring people are aware it (the closure] will happen and I will look into that."