Due to roadworks, North Bridge will be closed in BOTH DIRECTIONS from 8pm tomorrow (Sunday 4th February) and will be closed between 8pm and 6am each night for 8 nights.
See Lothian Buses website for diversion information.
Following the death of Her Majesty The Queen, all official flags, including the Union Flag, should be half-masted from as soon as possible until 08.00 the day following The Queen’s State Funeral. Flags may be flown overnight during this period but should remain at half-mast.
Official flags in this instance are defined as national flags of the home nations, Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories, Ensigns and Ships’ colours.
Any non-official flags flying or due to be flown, such as the Rainbow Flag or the Armed Forces Day Flag, should be taken down and replaced with a Union Flag at half-mast. Other official flags scheduled to be flown can be flown as normal, but at half-mast.
Half-mast means the flag is flown a third of the way down the flagpole from the top, with at least the height of the flag between the top of the flag and the top of the flagpole.
On poles that are more than 45° from the vertical, flags cannot be flown at half-mast and should not be flown at all.
The Union Flag must be flown the correct way up – in the half of the flag nearest the flagpole, the wider diagonal white stripe must be above the red diagonal stripe. Please see the College of Arms website
The Royal Standard is never flown at half-mast even after the death of a monarch, as there is always a Sovereign on the throne and it would therefore be inappropriate for it to fly at half-mast.
The Union Flag will be flown at half mast on all Royal Residences.
UK PARLIAMENT
Following the announcement of the death of Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the House of Commons, the House of Lords and everyone at UK Parliament extend their sympathies to the Royal Family.
Statement from the Speaker of the House of Commons, The Rt Hon. Sir Lindsay Hoyle:
‘For all of us, the Queen has been a constant presence in our lives – as familiar as a member of the family, yet one who has exercised a calm and steadying influence over our country. Most of us have never known a time when she was not there. Her death is not only a tragedy for the Royal family, but a terrible loss for us all.
During her 70 years on the throne – and even before that, as a teenager, reassuring and engaging with children and families disrupted by the Second World War – she has given our lives a sense of equilibrium. While her reign has been marked by dramatic changes in the world, Her Majesty has maintained her unwavering devotion to the UK, the British Overseas Territories and the Commonwealth of Nations – and her gentle authority and sound reason have been felt throughout.
She has travelled the world extensively, modernised the Royal family, and is credited with inventing the royal ‘walkabout’, which enabled her to meet people from all walks of life during her visits. As Head of State, she has provided advice and the benefit of long experience to 15 prime ministers during her reign – and met more than a quarter of all the American presidents in the history of the US.
The Queen has been involved in everything that is important to us and which makes us who we are – from state occasions to Royal weddings, and especially at Christmas, with her wise words and reflective annual message.
She has been a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother – but she has been our Queen, and we will miss her beyond measure.’
Statement from the Lord Speaker, The Rt Hon. Lord McFall of Alcluith:
‘Following the death of the Queen, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the nation and the whole Commonwealth is united in deep mourning.
For 70 years she has been a loyal and steadfast presence in the national life of the United Kingdom.
Her integrity, unique record of public service, deep sense of faith and commitment to her role have ensured that she will be regarded as a supreme example of a constitutional Monarch.
Her vital relationship with our Chamber, where the three elements of Parliament come together during the State Opening, ensures that she will be forever remembered and cherished by the House of Lords.
Today my thoughts, and indeed those of the whole House, will go out to His Majesty the King and to the members of the Royal family, for whom this feeling of loss will be profound.
Today the nation reflects on the service Queen Elizabeth II gave to the Crown and to her people, and gives thanks for her life.
Members may wish to be aware that information about arrangements for the House will be issued by Black Rod and the House authorities shortly.
In fondest remembrance of a Queen dedicated to Her nation and Her people.’
MPs will have the opportunity to pay tribute at a special parliamentary session at Westminster this afternoon:
Business
Tributes to Her late Majesty The Queen.
12:00pm – 10:00pm
ROYAL MOURNING
Following the death of Her Majesty The Queen, it is His Majesty The King’s wish that a period of Royal Mourning be observed from now until seven days after The Queen’s Funeral. The date of the Funeral will be confirmed in due course.
Royal Mourning will be observed by Members of the Royal Family, Royal Household staff and Representatives of the Royal Household on official duties, together with troops committed to Ceremonial Duties.
Flags at Royal Residences
Flags at Royal Residences were half masted yesterday, Thursday 8th September, and will remain half-masted until 0800hrs on the morning after the final day of Royal Mourning.
The half-masting of flags at Royal Residences does not apply to the Royal Standard and the Royal Standard in Scotland when The King is in residence, as they are always flown at full mast.
Guidance on flags at other public buildings has been issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
Royal Gun Salute
Royal Salutes will be fired in London today at 1300hrs BST in Hyde Park by The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery and at the Tower of London by the Honourable Artillery Company. One round will be fired for each year of The Queen’s life.
Closure of the Royal Residences
Royal Residences will close until after The Queen’s Funeral. This includes The Queen’s Gallery and the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace, and The Queen’s Gallery in Edinburgh. Balmoral Castle and Sandringham House, The Queen’s private estates, will also close for this period. In addition, Hillsborough Castle, The Sovereign’s official residence in Northern Ireland, will be closed.
Floral Tributes at the Royal Residences
Following the death of Her Majesty The Queen, the following guidance is given to members of the public who wish to leave floral tributes at Royal Residences:
Information on Floral Tributes at other public buildings and locations will be issued by the Cabinet Office.
Books of Condolence at the Royal Residences
There are no physical Books of Condolence at the Royal Residences.
An online Book of Condolence for those who wish to leave messages is available on the Royal website: https://www.royal.uk/send-message-condolence.
OPERATION UNICORN
Since the early 1960s plans have been in place in the event of the death of the Queen. These have undergone numerous changes in the decades since. As Her Majesty the Queen died in Scotland, “Operation Unicorn” will now be triggered.
Details of “Operation Unicorn” were first reported to the public in 2019, although the codename appeared in the Scottish Parliament’s online papers in 2017.
Holyrood Palace, St Giles’ Cathedral, and the Scottish Parliament will serve as the focal point of gatherings. A condolence book will be open to the public and set up at the Parliament building.
It’s reported that the Scottish Parliament will be suspended to allow authorities to prepare for the Queen’s state funeral.
The Queen’s coffin will initially lie in repose at the Palace of Holyrood, before being carried to St Giles’ Cathedral where there will be a service of reception.
Thousands of people are expected in Edinburgh to pay their respects and they will be encouraged to gather around the Scottish Parliament, Holyrood Palace and St Giles’ Cathedral.
More details to follow.
Road closures are in place in the city centre, with further closures planned in the coming days.
We expect significant disruption in the city over the next few days. We will update this page with further details of which roads will be closing and public transport information.
Keep up to date on public transport changes
| Road | What’s happening |
|---|---|
| Carrington Road at Crewe Road South | Road closed |
| Carrington Road at East Fettes Avenue | Road closed |
| Fettes Avenue | Road closed |
| Queens Drive – east of the roundabout (Holyrood Gait entrance) | Road closed |
| Holyrood Park entrance at Meadowbank Terrace | Road closed |
| East Market Street at Junction with Jeffrey Street | Road closed |
| New Street South of Entrance to Waverley Car Park | Road closed |
| Old Tollboth Wynd | Road closed |
| Calton Road at Abbeyhill Crescent | Road closed |
| Abbeyhill at Abbeyhill Crescent | Road closed |
| Abbeyhill at abbey Lane | Road closed |
| Abbey Mount at Regent Road | Road closed |
| Canongate at St Mary Street / Jeffrey Street | Road closed |
| Calton Road at Leith Street | Local access only |
| High Street at George IV / The Mound | Road closed |
| High Street at Cockburn Street | Road closed |
| St Giles Street at North Bank Street | Road closed |
From today (Wednesday 26 January), Lothian Buses are implementing a temporary diversion to stabilise our network and improve reliability for customers around the east side (York Place/Leith Walk/London Road) area of the city until further notice.
As we look to introduce our Monday to Friday timetables from Monday (31 January), we want to ensure operational network integrity, restore customer confidence and give certainty to our already pressured driving teams.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused to customers and continue to work with the City of Edinburgh Council and the Trams to Newhaven project to mitigate the impact of delays on our services.
Information about diverted services can be found below. If you need any assistance, please reach out on our social media channels – Twitter, Facebook and Instagram – or phone bus information on 0131 555 6363.
Services 1 10 11 16 22 – Eastbound
Princes Street, George Street, Hanover Street, Dundas Street, Great King Street, Drummond Place, London Street, East London Street, Annandale Street (Services 10/11) or Annandale Street, Elm Row, and London Road (Services 1/16/22).
Services 4 25 34 – Eastbound
Princes Street, Waterloo Place, Regent Road, Easter Road (Service 25) or Montrose Terrace (Services 4/34).
Services 5 49 – Northbound
Nicolson Street, Chambers Street, George IV Bridge, The Mound, Hanover Street, George Street, South St. David Street, Princes Street, Waterloo Place, Regent Road, Easter Road (Service 49) or Montrose Terrace (Service 5).
Services 7 14 – Northbound
Nicolson Street, Chambers Street, George IV Bridge, The Mound, Hanover Street, Dundas Street, Great King Street, Drummond Place, London Street, East London Street, Annandale Street, Elm Row, and London Road.
Service 8 – Both Directions
Nicolson Street, Chambers Street, George IV Bridge, The Mound, Hanover Street, Dundas Street, Great King Street, Drummond Place, London Street, and Bellevue.
Services 10 11 16 – Southbound
Leith Walk, Picardy Place, Leith Street, and Princes Street.
Services 19 26 44 – Both Directions
Princes Street, Waterloo Place, Regent Road, and Montrose Terrace.
Services 3 29 30 31 33 37 X29 X31 X33 X37 – Northbound
Nicolson Street, Chambers Street, George IV Bridge, The Mound, Hanover Street, George Street, Frederick Street to Princes Street (or Services 29/X29 to Howe Street).
Service 45
Eastbound: George IV Bridge, The Mound, Hanover Street, George Street, South St David Street, Princes Street, Waterloo Place, Regent Road, and Montrose Terrace.
Westbound: Montrose Terrace, Regent Road, and Waterloo Place.
Due to the closure of North Bridge for essential repairs from today (Sunday 14 November), a number of Lothian bus services will be subject to diversions across the city centre.
Where possible, these diversions have been designed to adhere as closely as possible to their original routes, whilst minimising delays. We would like to thank our customers for their patience and understanding while these diversions are in effect.
Please note that a network-wide service change will also come into effect on Sunday 14 November.
Details of how services will be affected can be found on our service change story.
Information about diverted services can be found below:
Services affected in both directions
Service 8 – will be diverted via Nicolson Street, Chambers Street, George IV Bridge, The Mound, Hanover Street, Dundas Street, Great King Street, Drummond Place, London Street, and Bellevue.
Services 26 and 44 will be diverted via Princes Street, Waterloo Place, Regent Road, Montrose Terrace.
Northbound services
Services 5, 7, 14, 45 and 49 will be diverted via Nicolson Street, Chambers Street, George IV Bridge, The Mound, Hanover Street, George Street, York Place, Picardy Place and London Road.
Services 3, 29, 30, 31, 33, 37, X29, X31, X33 and X37 will be diverted via Nicolson Street, Chambers Street, George IV Bridge, The Mound, Hanover Street, George Street, Frederick Street to Princes Street (or in the case of 29/X29, to Howe Street).
Services 29 and X29 will be diverted via Nicolson Street, Chambers Street, George IV Bridge, The Mound, Hanover Street, George Street, Frederick Street to Howe Street.
Southbound services
Services 3, 5, 7, 14, 29, 30, 31, 33, 37, 49, X29, X31, X33, X37, N3, N14, N30, N31 and N37 will follow normal routes southbound via North Bridge and South Bridge.
Nightbus Services
Nightbuses N3, N14, N30, N31 and N37 will follow daytime diversions with all services stopping on George IV Bridge.
If you need any assistance, please reach out on Lothian social media channels – Twitter, Facebook and Instagram – or phone bus information on 0131 555 6363.
The main phase of construction work to take the trams to Newhaven will begin on Leith Walk next month. The city council says the construction strategy will ‘build on lessons learned to minimise disruption.’
The Trams to Newhaven project team, along with the Infrastructure and Systems Contractor (Sacyr, Farrans, Neopul JV) and Swept Path Contractor (Morrison Utility Services), has drawn on lessons learned from the first stage of the project, as well as good practice from other European cities, to develop a construction strategy.
This will involve Leith Walk being reduced to one city bound lane between London Road and Crown Place for the duration of the works, which will begin on 28 March and are scheduled to be completed by Summer 2021.
The team’s approach will involve the establishment of large work sites to allow both utility works and tramway construction to take place at the same time, resulting in fewer traffic management changes for those affected.
Sharing information with residents and businesses as the project progresses
Letters are being delivered to residents and businesses to share information on traffic management, bin collection arrangements, cycling access and diversions for bus services.
Logistics hubs will be set up along the street to help businesses with deliveries and dispatches, as well as residents expecting large deliveries. A Support for Business package has also been devised in consultation with local businesses.
The first phase of the project is already well underway on Constitution Street, where the excavation of the road is being carried out to allow utility diversions, tracklaying and the installation of tram infrastructure.
The city’s ruling SNP-Labour ‘Capital Coalition’ are united in their support of the next stage of the controversial trams project, despite huge pressure on council budgets.
Last week the Capital Coalition voted through yet more cuts to essential council services. The Council will make required savings of £35m over the next 12 months and planned savings of around £87m over the next three years.
Transport and Environment Convener, SNP Councillor Lesley Macinnes, said: “We are about to reach a major milestone in the project to take the trams to Newhaven, as we prepare for the main phase of works on Leith Walk.
“We are already progressing well with the first phase of the project on Constitution Street and the Trams to Newhaven team have been working closely with contractors and transport operators to plan this next crucial stage.
“We will continue to engage with residents and businesses to keep them up-to-speed with plans as the project progresses.”
Transport and Environment Vice Convener, Labour Councillor Karen Doran added: “This is a transformational project for the city as a whole, but we’re aware of the particular impact this work will have on the people living nearby.
“That’s why our team has been making every effort to share information on the process, as well as providing support to adapt to the changes for residents and businesses.”
Construction schedule
Construction will begin on Leith Walk on Saturday, 28 March while additional work will begin along the route during March. Full details of ongoing work and work scheduled to begin this spring are:
London Road to Crown Place – starting 28 March 2020, scheduled to complete Autumn 2021
Ocean Drive – starting 13 March 2020, scheduled to complete Autumn 2020
Newhaven to Melrose Drive – starting 6 March 2020, scheduled to complete Summer 2021
Queen Charlotte Street to Constitution Place – ongoing, scheduled to complete Autumn 2020
Foot of the Walk to Coatfield Lane – ongoing, scheduled to complete by Spring 2021
The full construction programme can be accessed on the Trams to Newhaven website.
Traffic Management
Traffic management arrangements have been approved jointly with members of the city’s Traffic Management Review Panel, including Lothian Buses and the emergency services, and these will be in place from 28 March 2020. Access through the site will be maintained for emergency services at all times. Diversion routes and advanced warning signage will be erected in the vicinity for information.
During main construction works there will be no stopping or waiting at any time within the city bound running lane. Traffic management plans are available online.
Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times on both sides of Leith Walk. While current parking and loading will be suspended, temporary car parks will be provided on Leith Walk to ensure people can still visit the area to shop and go about their business.
Cycling
A bi-directional cycle lane on the west side of Leith Walk will be provided and maintained throughout the construction works. At times there will be local diversions to this lane in order to facilitate the works. These will be clearly sign posted as required.
Bus diversions
The project has liaised extensively with Lothian on the proposed traffic management to allow Lothian to develop their bus diversion route plans. Full details of bus diversions are available online.
Changes to Lothian’s network have been announced as work is set to begin Leith Walk for the next stage of the Trams to Newhaven project.
Read more here ➡️ https://bit.ly/37w3RM9
Leith Walk will see significant traffic management in place from 28 March 2020 for 18 months, with major diversions to all bus services in this area. Main services affected include the 7, 10, 11, 12, 14, 16, 22, 25 and 49.
Information on these changes will be available on-board buses, on our website and on social media.
Lothian encourages all customers – whether occasional users or regular commuters – to view these changes and plan accordingly if affected. Full information about route changes across the network can be viewed here ➡️ https://bit.ly/38AQbkf
The bus company said ‘We sincerely thank all customers for their understanding and patience while this work is carried out.’
Construction Works
From 28 March to 11 April fencing will be erected in order to establish the construction site. Construction work will involve the excavation of the road to allow utility diversions, tracklaying, installation of tram infrastructure, public realm improvements and heritage and archaeology works.
The construction strategy, which involves large work sites being established to allow both utility works and tramway construction, means works can continue in the event of any problem being encountered during the period.
During construction, communal bins for Leith Walk will be situated at the nearest side street to the existing location. The regularity of uplifts will be increased to ensure the area is kept clean and tidy and uplifts will take place in the evening to minimise traffic in the area at peak times.
All post boxes will be removed from Leith Walk and returned once construction is completed.
The London Road roundabout clock and bronze pigeons will be refurbished and returned to an improved public realm at Elm Row, scheduled for completion Autumn 2021.
Supporting Local Businesses
There will be a Support for Business package in operation, devised in consultation with businesses in the area, which will include a local voucher scheme, an ‘open for business’ campaign across a range of media and a business continuity fund. Full details can be found on the project website.
Logistics hubs to support Leith Walk businesses will be set up on Montgomery Street, Albert Street, Dalmeny Street and at the Foot of the Walk to help with deliveries and dispatches. These will also be the location for businesses presenting their trade waste. Help will be at hand via these logistics hubs for residents expecting large deliveries such as appliances or furniture too.
For further information visit www.tramstonewhaven.co.uk.
Alternatively the team can be emailed at Newhaven.tram@edinburgh.gov.uk.
While the inexorable construction process continues, it’s easy to forget that a public inquiry into the Edinburgh’s trams fiasco continues at a snail’s pace. It was launched in summer 2014 and there’s still no sign of it reporting any time soon.
The Inquiry,under former Lord Advocate Lord Hardie, aims to establish why the Edinburgh Tram project incurred delays, cost more than originally budgeted and, through reductions in scope, delivered significantly less than projected.
The official terms of reference for the Inquiry are to:
The trams were five years late, £400 MILLION over budget and that was for a single line, not the promised network … it’s comforting to know that lessons have been learned!
Nothing can go wrong now …
To allow utility works to take place, Deanhaugh Street will be closed in both directions from 0900 hrs today for approximately EIGHT weeks.
Lothian has the following bus diversions in place:
Services 24 29 X29 – between Comely Bank Road and Frederick Street, buses will be diverted via Comely Bank Avenue, Dean Bridge, Randolph Crescent, Albyn Place, Queen Street, North Castle Street and George Street in both directions.
Service 36 – between Hamilton Place and Lothian Road, buses will be diverted via Kerr Street, Howe Street, Frederick Street, George Street and South Charlotte Street in both directions.
Service 42 – between Comely Bank Road and George Street, buses will be diverted via Comely Bank Avenue, Dean Bridge, Randolph Crescent, Albyn Place, Queen Street, North Castle Street and George Street in both directions.
Apart from that, everything’s just fine and dandy …
SGN Network Upgrade – Possible Disruption Queensferry Road
SGN: Our work will start on Monday 16 September and last for approximately 13 weeks. 8am-4pm for traffic contra-flows.
Close the following roads to ensure everyone’s safety:
Orchard Road and Orchard Road South junction with Queensferry Road
Belford Avenue junction with Queensferry Terrace
Queensferry Terrace junction with Queensferry Road
Parking suspensions:
Full width of Queensferry Road between Queensferry Terrace and Orchard Road
Signed local diversion routes will be in place for motorists, commuters and access for local residents and businesses will be maintained where possible. We’ll also need to use temporary traffic lights during various stages of the project. These will be manually controlled during peak times to minimise disruption as much as possible.
Phases of this project have been planned to coincide with the autumn school holidays, and when traffic is likely to be quieter, ensuring disruption is kept to a minimum.
We’ll be working Monday to Friday between 8am – 4pm, and at weekends where required. We know that this is a busy area and wish to assure you that work will progress as quickly as possible and we’ll be doing everything we can to limit delays and disruption.
We will post regular updates on our website https://www.sgn.co.uk/our-gas-works/roadworks-your-area and using social media and traffic bulletins to keep everyone informed.
Please feel free to share this information with your stakeholders, colleagues and anyone else who may be impacted by our work. All local residents have been notified.
If you have any specific enquiries about this project, please call us on 0131 469 1728 during office hours (8am to 4.00pm) or 0800 912 1700 and our customer service team will be happy to help.
SGN used to be known as Scotland Gas Networks and Southern Gas Networks, but following a rebrand in 2014 is now just SGN.
… and there’s major road resurfacing too
Contractors preparing to begin construction as part of the Trams to Newhaven project will carry out investigation works at various points on the route from later this month.
Ground and site investigation work has been programmed for a number of locations between York Place and Newhaven, starting in Lindsay Road in the week commencing 20 May 2019. Continue reading Here we go again: Disruption expected as Trams to Newhaven prep work commences …
