York Place Closing For Essential Picardy Place Works

Essential work on the new road layout at Picardy Place is set to be carried out in time for the busy festive period.

The engineering work will require the temporary closure of York Place westbound, between Broughton Street and Elder Street, from Friday 15 November to Sunday 1 December. Pedestrian access will be maintained throughout.

Finalising the road layout forms a key phase in the project to redevelop Picardy Place and the surrounding area, enhancing public realm and improving conditions for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport.

Further improvements, to be completed in 2020, will include a dedicated cycle lane between Leith Street and Leith Walk and increased pedestrian space.

Transport and Environment Convener Councillor Lesley Macinnes said: “Significant work to renew the road layout at Picardy Place, as part of the Edinburgh St James development, is nearing its conclusion and we want to make sure this is completed with minimum disruption to residents and people travelling through the area. We have worked with developers to implement a traffic management plan allowing these essential elements of the project to be carried out as quickly as possible and will continue to monitor the situation to ensure this is finalised to schedule.

“Ultimately, these improvements will deliver major benefits to the people of Edinburgh, in line with our broader ambitions for a sustainable, accessible and better-connected Capital. Once the project is fully complete next year, by enhancing public realm, building new, improved pedestrian and cycling links and facilitating public transport access, the redevelopment of Picardy Place will be a catalyst for change, encouraging active, environmentally-friendly transport options at this key interchange.”

The Council has worked closely with Laing O’Rourke, who are carrying out Picardy Place improvements as part of the Edinburgh St James development, to agree a traffic management plan which will cause the least disruption to people living in and travelling through the area.

The eastbound carriageway will remain open at all times and pedestrian access will be maintained during the period. Buses heading westbound will be diverted up Leith Street while general traffic will be directed along Annandale Street, East London Street, Broughton Street, Albany Street, Abercrombie Place and Dundas Street before re-joining Queen Street.  

Further plans to revamp the island site at Picardy Place will be subject to a public consultation in 2020.

Information on the project can be found on the Together for Edinburgh website.