Historic Scottish city bridge to partially close for six weeks for major work

A HISTORIC bridge in Edinburgh is set to partially close for six weeks while major refurbishment works are carried out.

Edinburgh's North Bridge will be closed to all northbound traffic for six weeks starting from Monday, February 17.

During the closure period, traffic will only be permitted to proceed southbound – from Princes Street towards South Bridge.

The bridge is to be partially closed so the southbound approach to the bridge can be resurfaced.

The resurfacing project will include both lanes outside Waverley Gate towards Princes Street and both lanes from the entrance to the Hilton Edinburgh Carlton on North Bridge to the junction at High Street.

February's work on the bridge is part of a larger project that has included the refurbishment of the cast iron bridge facades, grit blasting and repainting structural steelwork, repairing and improving the footway paving and under-drainage along wiht a host of other improvements.

Edinburgh City Council said they plan the major repair works to be completed by the end of the year.

Transport and Environment Convener, Labour Councillor Stephen Jenkinson said he is “conscious” that the work is taking longer to complete than initially expected but added that preserving the historic nature of the bridge requires “painstaking” work.

He said: “I appreciate this temporary closure will be frustrating for our residents and businesses. I want to thank them for their continued patience as we carry out these essential works.

“These works are part of the wider project to restore this crucial link between the north and south of the city – and of course preserve it for future generations.

(Image: Getty Images)

“I’m conscious that this work is taking longer to complete than we had initially anticipated, but this is this a hugely complex project, with the historic nature of the bridge requiring painstaking and specialist work to restore it to its former glory.”

People have been encouraged by the local authority to keep up to date with the repair work and the bridge closures on the EdinTravel social media accounts.