A NEW bid is to be launched to find a lasting "solution" which will enable historic city centre steps which have been plagued by vandals and rough sleepers to be restored to their former glory.
The city council and Edinburgh World Heritage plan to rejuvenate the Scotsman Steps, which link North Bridge and Market Street and run alongside the site of the old Evening News offices, for about £125,000.
An architect is due to visit the site so
on and recommend what work should take place. However, it will have stonework repaired, paint and cement removed, broken tiles repaired, new lighting, and new decorative gates installed. In November, Labour councillor Norma Hart lodged a motion calling for the city council to take action.
The eyesore is potentially one of the first things tourists see – and smell, due to people urinating there – when they leave Waverley Station.
Daniel Pereira, general manager of The Scotsman Hotel, on North Bridge, has demanded improvement measures. He said: "This news is a joy. It's been such a sore subject as it's not a great way to welcome your guests to Edinburgh when they are constantly in disrepair. It portrays the city in a really bad light."
The Scotsman steps were built around 1899 in a French style with an enclosed octagonal spiral stair, decorative wrought iron grilles and glazed tiles in the interior.
The city council has attempted to prevent misuse and vandalism over the years, but gates that were previously installed were vandalised and had to be removed.
Councillor Robert Aldridge, the city's environment leader said: "A successful solution is long overdue and we need to work closely with partners to achieve one."
David McDonald, project manager with Edinburgh World Heritage, added: "People avoid using the Scotsman Steps because of the perceived safety, lighting, and litter problems. If they were in better condition then more people would use them, which in turn would add a self-policing element."
Once an assessment has been carried out an action plan will be drawn up, which would include reinstatement of appropriate gates, opening hours, cleaning, maintenance, policing and control of antisocial behaviour.
Moira Tasker, director of the Cockburn Association, said: "The Steps have suffered from benign neglect. Litter, vandalism and poor lighting has contributed to their under-use. By tackling these, we look forward to seeing reinvigoration of this public space."
The full article contains 403 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
