The utility diversion work being undertaken on Shandwick Place in Edinburgh is to be finished ahead of schedule which will see parts of the road reopened at the start of June to pedestrians. The road will remain closed to traffic until the beginning of August but as more and more of the utility diversion work is completed the road will gradually be fully open for pedestrians.
The initial section which will reopen will be from House of Fraser to Stafford Street, with this happening on 2nd June. The news has been met with pleasure by the business community in the area, which came at the same time as the business support scheme will be extended to include firms within 100 metres of the airport to Newhaven tram line.
Amie Trudgill, duty supervisor at the Au Bar, commented: “I think this will help as we have been really suffering. It picked up with the better weather but after 7pm or 8pm it has really dropped off and we have been closing early, which is something we've never done before. The fencing is really intimidating, especially at night time, and it is not always that easy to get by or cross over, especially when it is busy so hopefully this will help."
Willie Gallagher, executive chairman of tie, said: “I'm delighted that we are able to announce the phased re-opening of Shandwick Place ahead of our target date. This justifies our construction methodology and highlights the benefits of short closures. We promised businesses that we would work quickly and complete the task before the Festival embargo. I'm pleased that we have delivered on this and been able to hand back parts of the street early. Coupled with the extension to the Small Business Support Scheme, it is good news for traders in Edinburgh."
Source: The Scotsman