Edinburgh's Christmas 2009

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Come Into Town

BUSES, TAXIS and cycles will be back on Princes Street from the end of November as tram track laying reaches its conclusion along the main thoroughfare. Since February, the diversion routes onto George Street have worked very well with minimal delays to traffic but with a focus on retail, routes are returning to the status quo.

Princes Street will be opened back up to public transport and bikes from 5am on Sunday 29th November as part of the opening weekend of Edinburgh’s Christmas celebrations. Final traffic management arrangements are being put in place and information on where to catch your bus on Princes Street will be handed out on the street during November when it will also be available on buses and in travelshops.

Taxi ranks, disabled parking, plus pay and display bays, removed to cope with the increased volume of buses on George Street, will also be reinstated.

The Council’s annual Christmas present to shoppers, free on-street pay and display parking on Saturday afternoons and in the evenings, will also start ahead of that weekend on Thursday 26th November.

Some streets within the City Centre, West End, Old Town, Tollcross and the Grassmarket will benefit from an extra hour’s free parking from 5.30pm on weekdays and 1pm on Saturdays. Please check pay and display machines for participating bays. For a full list of all streets included, please see website below. Pay and display bays throughout central Edinburgh remain free on Sundays as usual.

So be it by bus, car, train, taxi or walking there are a wealth of options for getting into town to enjoy this year’s winter festivities. And don’t forget, you can always use Park and Ride! For more information, see www.edinburgh.gov.uk/ comeintotown

Night buses – the safe way to get home this Christmas

LOTHIAN BUSES’ night buses are a terrific way to get home safely and cheaply this festive season. For just £3 per journey – or just £1.50 for Ridacard users – it’s great value. Buses run at least every hour from the Waverley Steps on Princes Street with some buses departing every 10 minutes at weekends. The buses run through the night, every night, in and around Edinburgh. Night buses follow many of the same routes as their daytime counterparts. Visit www.lothianbuses.com for information on your route home.

Which days are free to park over the holidays?

ON-STREET PARKING is free in Edinburgh on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day. For all other days, please check pay and display machines for operating hours.