Large crowds expected as cortege travels from Royal Mile to Edinburgh Airport
People are expected to gather in large numbers in Edinburgh today to pay their final respects to Her Majesty The Queen.
After the Lying at Rest, the coffin will be transported from St Giles’ Cathedral to Edinburgh Airport.
The cortège will follow this route: St Giles’ Cathedral – Lawnmarket – Johnston Terrace – Castle Terrace – Lothian Road – Queensferry Street – Dean Bridge – Queensferry Road – Maybury Road – Turnhouse Road – Edinburgh Airport.
This will have a significant impact on public transport services across the city and on surrounding trunk roads including the M8 and the Edinburgh City Bypass.
People are being asked to work from home if they can, and those not wishing to pay their respects in person are being asked to avoid any non-essential travel.
There will be significant disruption to travel along the route of the Queen’s coffin with numerous road closures from 1pm. Some schools in Edinburgh will also be impacted and close earlier.
Latest traffic and school information can be found on the City of Edinburgh Council website.
The schools and early years centres affected are:
Early years centres
- Cammo Kindergarten
- Fox Covert Early Years Centre
- Fox Covert Kindergarten
- Lauriston Kindergarten
Primary schools
- Blackhall
- Clermiston
- Cramond
- Davidson’s Mains
- East Craigs
- Ferryhill
- Flora Stevenson
- Fox Covert
- Hillwood
- Stockbridge
- St Andrew’s Fox Covert
High schools
- Broughton
- Craigmount
- St Augustine’s
- St Thomas of Aquin’s
- The Royal High School
Special schools
- Rowanfield
- Oaklands
The route the Queen’s cortege will travel means the following roads will close between 4pm and 6.30pm:
- Johnstone Terrace
- Lothian Road
- Queensferry Street
- Dean Bridge
- Queensferry Road
In addition to roads on the route, extensive closures and diversions of adjoining roads will be in place, including all crossover junctions. This will have a significant knock-on impact on surrounding trunk roads including the M8 and the Edinburgh City Bypass.
The Scottish Government is working with City of Edinburgh Council, Transport Scotland, Police Scotland, ScotRail and other partners to ensure disruption is kept to a minimum, however, lengthy delays are to be expected.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “This will be an extremely busy time in Edinburgh as members of the public come to pay their final respects. In light of this, we respectfully ask people to avoid non-essential travel if possible.
“Those wishing to line the route should plan ahead taking into consideration local road closures, allowing for extra time and limited facilities. Prepare for long periods of standing and large crowds. Check the weather before you leave and bring water.
“Information on travel can be found at Traffic Scotland, Traveline Scotland, City of Edinburgh Council, Lothian Buses, Edinburgh Tram and ScotRail websites and social media channels. We are encouraging everyone to check for the latest information before finalising their travel plans.”
Traffic Scotland Operator Manager Stein Connolly said: “Monday and Tuesday will be extremely busy for Edinburgh, the City Bypass, and the surrounding network, due to a series of road closures and the sheer volume of people expected to line the streets.
“We want to strike a balance and ensure those who wish to pay their respects can do so safely. If you can work from home we would strongly encourage you to do so. Please consider your need to travel if you are not attending any of the advertised events.
“If you do plan to pay respects in person, please allow extra time for your journey and leave the car at home. Consider public transport options, or if you need to use a car, think about car sharing and using park and ride facilities where possible. On arrival, be prepared for long periods of standing. Bring water and dress for the weather. Most importantly – let’s look out for each other.
“Please continue to check Traffic Scotland and Traveline Scotland, Lothian Buses and Edinburgh Tram websites – as well as @edintravel and @ScotRail social channels for updates before finalising your travel plans.”
Police Scotland Deputy Chief Constable Malcolm Graham said: “We share the respect and affection the public is demonstrating for Her Majesty and urge everyone to continue to be safe as they do so.
“Roads around Edinburgh are expected to be very busy on Tuesday with closures in place and people should plan ahead and follow travel advice.”
City of Edinburgh Council Leader Cammy Day said: “Tuesday’s events will be of an unprecedented scale, even for our Capital City, so I’m really proud that Edinburgh’s playing such a significant role in these ceremonial events with the eyes of the world are on us.
“Thousands of people lined the Royal Mile to hear the proclamation of the new King and we’ll continue to work closely with Scottish Government, Police Scotland and transport providers to manage disruption and safely accommodate the large numbers of visitors who will wish to pay their respects on Tuesday.
“We’re reminding everyone to consider their travel needs and avoid any non-essential travel throughout the day. For those who choose to try and attend events, please be aware that you may need to sit or stand for a number of hours so dress for the weather and with limited facilities, we recommend that you prepare accordingly.”
Alex Hynes, Managing Director of Scotland’s Railway said: “We are doing everything we can to support people to pay their respects while Her Majesty The Queen lies at rest in Edinburgh.
“We expect trains to be busier than normal over the coming days, particularly to and from Edinburgh. Passengers are advised to download the ScotRail app or visit scotrail.co.uk for the latest information.”
The coffin procession will depart St. Giles’ Cathedral for Edinburgh Airport at 5pm.
Those wishing to attend are being urged to do so safely, plan ahead and allow extra time, taking account of local and city centre road closures, weather conditions, limited facilities, crowded roads and very busy public transport, and the likelihood of spending many hours at the roadside.
Significant numbers of stewards are being drafted in, alongside police officers, to help keep the public safe. The stewards will provide advice on routes from car parks, identified crossing points and safe viewing areas.
People are being urged to consider if their journey is absolutely necessary and to work from home if possible. If travel is essential, please allow for extra time, and if possible walk or cycle, use alternative routes or travel at a different time.
Travel information:
There will be rolling road closures along the route. Other roads in the area are expected to be significantly affected as large numbers of people from across Scotland and beyond come to pay their respects.
Those coming to the area by car should reconsider and look at using one of seven park and rides to get a bus or train into the city. Allow plenty of time to travel and park within the designated areas. Please try to share lifts with friends, family and neighbours wherever possible.
For up-to-date information, including road and school closures across Edinburgh, visit: Road closures and public transport information – The City of Edinburgh Council
For up to date travel information and other updates, visit the dedicated Traffic Scotland website.
The @edintravel traffic information team will be carefully monitoring the city’s roads, sharing the latest information on disruption and diversions on Twitter.
The following websites can also be used to keep informed about transport services: Lothian Buses, Edinburgh Trams and ScotRail.
Safety:
People intending to view the Queen’s cortege, should not leave their vehicle at the side of the road as this poses a risk to public safety. Parking is only allowed in designated areas and the directions of stewards and police officers must be followed.
People are urged not to stand in any unsafe areas and to keep off the carriageway at all times.
Drivers must only park where it is safe to do so, and to respect the needs of residents and businesses to access their premises.
For safety reasons, do not throw flowers on the road or towards the cortege.
Please note that before and after the movement of the vehicles the route remains open and fully operational and normal safety processes apply.