PUBLIC TRANSPORT UPDATE
Lothian Buses have reinstated the diversion on Ocean Drive and will not be serving the stops at Ocean Terminal.
Temporary bus stop is located near the Capital Cruise Building on Melrose Drive to the side of the centre.
This is due to a road defect on Ocean Drive that is unable to be navigated by buses.
Repair is currently indicated to be taking place next week.
Please note, our car park is open as normal
North Bridge fully reopened last night (Friday 31 July), with final completion of the project expected later this year.
Both pavements and traffic lanes will be brought back into use in time for the peak festival season in August, which starts next weekend.
Work on the North Bridge began in 2018 and since then the Category A Listed structure has undergone a complete restoration.
This has included grit blasting and repainting all structural steelwork, restoring and hand finishing the cast iron façade, and installing a permanent access platform for future monitoring and care of the bridge.
The project has also brought significant social benefits through partnerships with local schools and universities, collaboration with charities and community groups, alongside careers support for young people, ex-offenders and people with disabilities.
A time capsule was interred last year with key objects from the project and an exhibition Study for North Bridge is running until September at the City Art Centre.
A co-curated video with contractor Balfour Beatty discusses this milestone and goes into some of the key information behind the project.
Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Stephen Jenkinson said: “I’m delighted that we’ve reached this key milestone in the project. This reopening is all the more welcome given the busy time of year, and the wider travel disruption we’re currently experiencing as a result of the fire on Princes Street.
“Make no mistake, this has been one of the most complex and ambitious projects the Council has ever undertaken. When work first began, some areas of the bridge hadn’t seen the light of day in over a century, and few could’ve imagined the scale of the challenge we faced.
https://twitter.com/Edinburgh_CC/status/2083219153922474331/video/1
“I’m conscious that this has taken longer, and cost more than we initially anticipated. Our residents, businesses and visitors have my sincere thanks for their patience during this time. However, I’m incredibly proud that we’ve successfully preserved and enhanced this cornerstone of Edinburgh’s history, and key transport corridor, for future generations of our city.
“To see the bridge back to its former glory, with the new façade shining in the summer sun, is something we can all celebrate together.”
https://twitter.com/balfourbeatty/status/2083256359466782840/video/1
Rory McFadden, Project Director at Balfour Beatty, said: “The reopening of North Bridge to both traffic and pedestrians marks a major milestone in this complex restoration project and is a significant step towards returning this iconic structure to the heart of Edinburgh’s transport network.
“While there is still work to complete in the months ahead, it will be incredibly rewarding to see residents, visitors and businesses once again utilising the bridge and benefitting from this vital transport link.”
DIVERSIONS IN PLACE FOR RUGBY and EDINBURGH FESTIVAL CARNIVAL
Multi-agency efforts to minimise city centre disruption and make the former Debenhams building safe continue, following a major fire on 9 July.
While Princes Street is expected to remain closed between Frederick Street and South Charlotte Street until August, contingency planning is underway to help limit the impact on transport, businesses, the festival and other events.
This includes the rerouting of the Edinburgh Festival Carnival so it can still take place on Sunday and traffic diversions to aid travel to and from the Scotland v Fiji rugby match on Saturday, while changes to bus routes have been put in place to improve general traffic flow in the area.
Council teams continue to offer one-to-one advice and support to businesses affected, and it is hoped that all businesses on Rose Street will be able to reopen tomorrow (Saturday). The Council Leader has also written to the First Minister to request additional support for businesses from the Scottish Government.
Trams are currently only able to operate between the Airport and Shandwick Place but all options are being explored to re-establish operations along the full route as soon as possible.
Officers are working closely with Voi Bikes to provide additional capacity, particularly in and around Leith, and will be expanding the fleet from 800 to 1000 bikes by the end of next week. Additional bike parking infrastructure is being arranged in the city centre to accommodate those travelling into the city from Leith and Newhaven.
Complex and time-consuming work is ongoing to make the fire-damaged building safe, alongside preserving as much of its heritage value as possible.
Council Leader Jane Meagher said: “There is no doubt that recent events on Princes Street continue to have a major impact on the city centre and beyond, but I’m pleased to see progress being made, both in terms of preserving and making the building safe and reducing disruption in the area.
“This has involved a huge response from Council teams and a range of partners, and I’d like to thank all those involved for their hard work over the last week to secure the building, to protect its heritage and to keep the city moving.
“I’m particularly grateful to the city’s transport providers – Lothian Buses and Edinburgh Trams – for their swift and constructive responses to this challenging situation and I know there’s a huge amount of work going into restoring the tram to its full route as soon as possible. But I do want to stress that this can only happen when it’s safe to do so.
“We’re in regular contact with festivals and event organisers with a view to limiting disruption to our events calendar, and I’m delighted that we’ve found an alternative route for the wonderful Edinburgh Festival Carnival so it can still go ahead this weekend. We’re also hopeful of being able to find alternative locations for some of the events and attractions displaced from George Street.
“I’m acutely aware of the effect this is having on city centre businesses too and our teams are continuing to offer one-to-one advice and support. We’re also in touch with the Scottish Government about available support and I’ve written to the First Minister to discuss what more he can offer – as he did following the Union Street fire in Glasgow.
“This road closure is essential to protect the public while experts assess the condition of the fire-damaged building and make it safe, but we’re letting everyone know that the city centre is very much still open for business and encouraging people to check our website for the latest travel advice and information on visiting the area.
“I want to repeat my thanks to everyone for their patience and understanding and look forward to another fantastic summer festival season here in Edinburgh.”
A dedicated page on the Council website has been set up to provide up-to-date information and guidance, with relevant links to partner sites and a Q&A.
This will be updated regularly as and when new information becomes available.
The UK’s leading open access rail operators Lumo and Hull Trains have released shocking footage of a runner narrowly missing being hit by a train travelling at over 100 mph.
The footage, captured from a Lumo train passing through North Tyneside on the East Coast Main Line, has been made public to mark the annual Rail Safety Week, as both companies shine a spotlight on how to safely interact with the railways.
The clip shows the runner failing to safely use the crossing and is a powerful reminder of the importance of paying attention to your surroundings and observing the crossing instructions.
Rail Safety Week is an annual, industry-wide initiative dedicated to promoting and improving rail safety for workers, customers and local communities. It aims to reduce accidents, educate people and create a strong safety culture across the network.
Lumo and Hull Trains have supported the delivery of rail safety resources to 45 schools over the past year, in association with the Rail Safe Friendly Programme. The programme is dedicated to spreading the vital message of rail safety among young people, educators and parents in schools across the UK.
The operators’ involvement has led to a social value impact of over £724,000 in 2024-25, directly educating thousands of young people.
David Hughes, Head of Safety, Security and Sustainability at First Rail Open Access, said: “This footage is an important reminder of the importance of rail safety. We hope this acts as a stark message for people to recognise the danger of not paying attention.
“We believe that education about rail safety should start from a young age. That’s why we’re now into the third year of our important partnership with the Rail Safe Friendly Programme, giving young people the knowledge and tools they need to stay safe.
“Travelling by train is safe, cost-effective and sustainable. It is, however, vital to recognise that behaviour like that seen in the footage poses a real risk to life.”
David Wortley, Network Rail route level crossing manager, East Coast, said: “Near misses like this are a stark reminder of how using level crossings incorrectly can easily lead to tragic consequences. One poor decision can change a life forever.
“Research shows a worrying overconfidence when it comes to crossings, which is why Network Rail, British Transport Police and the wider rail community recently launched No Second Chances, the first industry-wide level crossing campaign to raise awareness of the dangers.
“It’s vital that everyone stops, looks, listens and follows the instructions and signage, because every crossing is different. No journey is worth risking your life.”
Lumo and Hull Trains are open access rail operators, meaning that they don’t rely on any government funding. They are loyal only to the customers and communities they proudly support.
Lumo is an exciting, growing rail operator that has served the East Coast Main Line with industry-leading 100% electric trains for several years. Lumo connects Glasgow with Falkirk, Edinburgh, Morpeth, Newcastle, Stevenage and London King’s Cross. The operator has also just launched a critically acclaimed new West Coast service, providing Stirling with a direct train service to London Euston, calling at destinations including Carlisle, Preston and Nuneaton.
Hull Trains, recently named ‘Operator of the Year’ at the prestigious Spotlight Rail Awards, offers affordable travel to destinations including Beverley, Hull, Doncaster, Grantham, Selby and London King’s Cross.
The operator successfully combines sustainability with affordable fares, excellent service and support for local communities.
Rail Safety Week: https://www.railsafetyweek.org/
A shuttle bus service will run daily from Tuesday 21 April to connect Davidson’s Mains and Cramond while the 47 bus is out of service on that section of the route.
– Shuttle buses will run every 15 minutes starting from the Tesco in Davidson’s Mains.
– They will run daily from 7am – 7pm.
– They will travel on a loop between Tesco at Davidson’s Mains, along Cramond Road South, Gamekeeper’s Road, and Cramond Road North. We expect the full loop to take around 15 minutes subject to traffic.
– The buses will stop at all bus stops that are usually serviced by the 47 bus along that section of the route.
– Each bus can hold up to 16 people.
There is also a replacement bus service between Cammo and Cramond.
More information is available on our website: ww.edinburgh.gov.uk/davidsonsmains
SHUTTLE BUS SOLUTION TO D MAINS ROUNDABOUT CLOSURE
Important update on 47 bus diversion
We wrote to you yesterday about Lothian Buses’ decision to divert the 47 bus service during the 9 week duration of the roadworks at the Davidson’s Mains roundabout.
The consequence of the change, due to start from Monday, is that the 47 will run along Queensferry Road to the terminus at Cammo without serving Cramond Road South and Whitehouse Road.
As we explained yesterday, it was completely unacceptable to us for Cramond to be left without a key bus link for so long.
We want to thank the literally hundreds of our constituents who have emailed us about this. Please accept our apologies for the fact we’ve not been able to reply to everyone.
We hope you’ll understand our focus over the last 24 hours has been in finding a solution for our constituents who rely on the 47. As councillors, we felt our job was to keep up the pressure on both Lothian Buses and Edinburgh Council officers to get action.
Our strong preference was for Lothian to simply route the 47 right at the Barnton junction and into Whitehouse Road for a loop around Cramond. This would replicate the old route of the service. We pressed Lothian to consider this.
However, Lothian have refused to adopt this temporary route because of their concerns over the impact it could have on the timings of the service as a whole.
Nevertheless, we have now managed to secure an important new alternative service which we hope will help –
We’ve had it confirmed tonight that that a free to use shuttle bus will be available for Cramond residents. This will operate between Cramond and Cammo. People can then connect to the 47 bus for journeys along Queensferry Road and onward.
This will be up and running by the middle of next week – ahead of the schools returning from their Easter break. We will share more specific details of when we have them.
We know this shuttle service is far from ideal – however, it will mean people can still get public transport to connect to the 47 bus service when they need it.
We also want to make sure the work in Davidson’s Mains is completed as quickly as possible so things return to normal just as soon as they can.
We will of course keep you informed as we get more information.
With best wishes,
Cllr Kevin Lang
Cllr Louise Young
Cllr Lewis Younie
Lib Dem councillors for Cramond and Barnton
Davidson’s Mains roundabout closed from Monday (13 April) for work to improve road safety. There will be no access for vehicles from Cramond Road South, Main Street or Quality Street.
This will affect Lothian Bus services 47 and 21.
Find out more about bus diversions: www.lothianbuses.com/service-updates
The city council is working hard to limit disruption and working closely with Lothian Buses to put alternative plans in place for Cramond residents from next week.
More information www.edinburgh.gov.uk/davidsonsmains
68 organisations* from across Scotland have come together to urge all political parties to enable more people to walk, wheel or cycle, ahead of the 2026 Holyrood election.
The ‘Joint Active Travel Manifesto for 2026’ calls for parties to commit to multi-year budgets, link public transport and improve road safety, in order to build on ongoing success and bring the benefits of walking/wheeling and cycling to more people.
From helping to reduce Scotland’s carbon emissions to improving public health and supporting local economies, the manifesto highlights some of the many benefits that active travel brings, calling on parties to pledge to support five key commitments:
Increased national investment in active travel was supported by all major parties at the 2021 Holyrood election, and has led to impressive increases in walking, wheeling and cycling where projects have been delivered.
Sadly, it’s not all good news as 12 people are killed or seriously injured while walking, wheeling or cycling every week in Scotland and more action is needed to keep people safe and reduce danger at source.
The Scottish Government’s 2026 budget has set out increased funding for active travel and bus infrastructure over the next four years – an extremely welcome development that will help to create safer streets, healthier communities, and support more thriving local economies.
The Joint Active Travel Manifesto calls on all political parties to commit to sustaining and building on this investment into the long term.
Devi Sridhar is Professor and Chair of Global Public Health at the University of Edinburgh and author of ‘How Not to Die Too Soon’. In support of the manifesto, Professor Sridhar said: “A move towards active travel isn’t about banning cars, but rather increasing options and freedoms for people to choose how they want to go to school, work or city centre, whether it’s walking, cycling or public transport.
“Getting people moving in their daily life should be a high priority for governments given that sedentary behaviour is a major risk factor for chronic disease such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease, stroke and dementia. Exercise also contributes at a cellular level to better mental health.
“Scotland has made positive steps in the right direction, but we still have a long way to go to catch up with major European cities who have built active travel into urban design.”
Rose Marie Burke and John Newman, the parents of Emma Burke Newman who was killed while cycling in Glasgow City Centre in 2023, said: “Emma loved to cycle through her world, including her beloved Scotland.
“Unfortunately, careless driving and poor infrastructure took her away from us. Despite progress, let’s keep up the hard work to recognise and address the real issues in plain sight.”
Kay Corbett, owner of Outline Hair in the centre of Edinburgh, has supported customers to travel by bike by providing cycle parking inside her salon, and has advocated for further improvements for walking, wheeling and cycling on local shopping streets.
Kay said: “I’m lucky enough to have my commute to work pass through Holyrood Park, and seeing the changing seasons in the park, and wildlife up close every day is unreal, you really couldn’t convince me there’s a better way to travel.
“The safer and more enjoyable an experience we can make it is the best way to encourage people to make the leap onto a bike.
“I can do all I like to encourage cycling to my business, talking to clients about biking, providing bike parking in the salon, but the biggest concern my staff and customers have is safety. The want to cycle is there. The issues remain clear – that cycle lanes aren’t city wide yet.”
Jason Corbett, owner of Insider Tattoo, said as a small business owner: “I need to get about, my customers need to get about so the more people using active travel the more swiftly, safely and cleanly we will all move.
“It will give us both physical and mental health benefits and a cleaner environment for the future.”
Organisers of the Pedal on Parliament campaign, which is set to ride through the streets of Edinburgh on 30th May 2026, said: “We know cycling to be transformative – we can see that from the infrastructure local authorities have built in Scotland in recent years, and how everyday people then find themselves with a quick, healthy, low-cost and flexible way of moving around our villages, towns and cities.
“But we still see cycling being under-prioritised — not only under-budgeted, but more importantly those budgets being underspent. We see other European nations effecting huge changes like improving air quality, easing congestion, increasing local trade and raising citizens’ general quality of life by making travelling by bike a safer and easier choice.
“We wonder when Scotland will join them — because we’re falling behind, moving too slowly, and listening too closely to those who say ‘it can’t work here’ when all the evidence tells us otherwise. That’s why we’re organising our big ride on 30th May 2026 in Edinburgh – kids, teens, adults and elders cycling together to the Scottish Parliament to ask for better, faster.”
The full joint manifesto for active travel, with list of all signatories, is available here.
See at a glance what service levels will be in operation over the festive period
No matter the reason for travelling by bus this festive period – visiting friends and family, commuting to and from work, attending Christmas parties or work nights out – Lothian is here to make your journey easy, affordable and comfortable.
We’ve pulled together all the information you could possibly need this Christmas for travel across Edinburgh and the Lothians, including festive timetables, TravelHub opening hours, journey planning tools, Lothian merchandise (ideal for stocking fillers!) and last but not least… our very special Christmas Advertisement for 2025, created in partnership with our Charity of Choice, Age Scotland!
#MerryChristmasFromLothian
Lorna Slater, the Scottish Green MSP for Lothian has called for the upcoming Scottish budget to extend free bus travel to everyone under 30, describing it as a lifeline for young workers and families in the area.
This would build on the groundbreaking free bus pass scheme already delivered by the Scottish Greens for those under 22. Over 250 million free journeys have been taken by young people since the scheme’s launch, with over 45 million of those in Edinburgh.
Free bus travel for young people has been one of the greatest successes of devolution, saving them and their families a fortune and helping to tackle the climate crisis.
Extending it to everyone under 30 would give over half a million more people a free bus pass, opening up new opportunities to find work or education and to see more of Scotland.
Lorna Slater the Scottish Green MSP for the Lothian region said: “The Greens’ introduction of free bus travel for everyone under 22 has been a huge success for people across our capital city.
“Thousands of young people across our communities are saving money, finding new opportunities, and helping to tackle the climate crisis.
“This scheme is one of the clearest achievements of the Scottish Parliament. Families all over Edinburghhave saved thousands of pounds in a period when bills and other costs have otherwise soared.
“But the cost of living crisis doesn’t stop for people the day they turn 22. For many young people the impact of losing their bus pass is huge, with new travel costs eating into their budgets.
“Too many workers in their 20s are trapped in a cycle of ever-rising costs and insecure work, with far too many in the citystruggling to cover their rent and bills every month.
“Lowering the cost of public transport is a win-win for people and planet. That’s why the Scottish Greens are pushing for more people to get a free bus pass as soon as possible.”
