Why we need to restrict vehicles on Lawnmarket
The popularity of the attractions on and around Lawnmarket mean there is a high number of visitors throughout the year, particularly at weekends and during holiday periods. In summer, we see over 5,000 people moving through the street every hour.
The historic narrow pavements mean that those walking and wheeling are regularly forced to use the road, which compromises safety and accessibility, as well as making the area uncomfortable to spend time in.
Apart from the summer festival period, Lawnmarket is open to general traffic and is regularly used by coaches, tour buses and taxis.
By restricting vehicle access to Lawnmarket at the busiest times, we can create a better and safer place for everyone.
Since 2019, we have carried out several trials to restrict vehicle access to improve pedestrian safety. We monitored these which told us that pedestrian safety continued to be a significant issue due to the presence of vehicles, particularly larger vehicles such as tour buses and coaches.
Removing vehicle traffic during the busiest period of the day is considered the best option to improve safety, comfort and accessibility for people walking, wheeling and cycling in the area.
