Plans to keep tram work road shut

Princes Street has been closed to all traffic

Princes Street would remain closed to traffic during this year's Edinburgh Festival under plans recommended by council officials.

Ditching a planned roadworks embargo in August would allow tram works to be completed in time for Christmas shopping in the city centre.

It would also mean the famous thoroughfare would be open in time for Edinburgh's Hogmanay Street party.

Councillors are to decide on the proposals on Tuesday.

The Edinburgh Festivals' Cavalcade is being moved to Holyrood Park to avoid the tram works on Princes Street.

The Festival fireworks from Edinburgh Castle on Sunday 6 September will continue as planned.

We are pleased that following consultation the key focus of the ongoing tram work is to see the Princes Street work completed in time for the essential Christmas trading Tom Campbell Essential Edinburgh

Jenny Dawe, Edinburgh City Council leader, said: "We are proud to be building a modern, green tram system to promote Edinburgh's continued economic prosperity and the quality of life that Edinburgh offers.

"We will do our absolute best to ensure that the city is looking good and that Edinburgh continues to be regarded as the premier festival destination in the world."

Isabella Miller, general manager of department store John Lewis in Edinburgh, said: "I am delighted that the council have found a way forward to minimise disruption for the Festival, and allow the tram work to progress, so that we can get Princes Street fully open as soon as possible."

Faith Liddell, director of Festivals Edinburgh, said: "Festivals Edinburgh is supportive of a strategy which ensures that the interests of the entire business community, including the Festivals, are best protected."

Graham Birse, of the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, said the business community was clear from the start it wanted the tram project completed as quickly as possible.

"By working through the Festival period we understand that the project will move ahead on schedule and that the all-important Christmas and New Year embargo will apply," he added.

Tom Campbell, chief executive of Essential Edinburgh, the company running the city centre business improvement district, said: "We are pleased that following consultation the key focus of the ongoing tram work is to see the Princes Street work completed in time for the essential Christmas trading."