St MARK'S PATH CLOSURE – LATEST NEWS

Having spoken to the Powderhall development's site manager, Councillor Jack Caldwell (Ward 12) has now contacted the New Town & Broughton and Leith Central Community Councils, and other interested locals, with the update below.

While there’s nothing hugely substantial to report, I once again iterated the importance of either minimising closure of the path itself, or opening a better diversion due to concerns about the length of diversion and suitability of the currently posted route for wheelchair users, prams, and cyclists as well as the impact on a nearby business. 

He confirmed that the team onsite are assessing options on the next door site (where the Stables are) to see if a parallel path is possible but was clear this was being explored so couldn’t be confirmed at this moment due to both health-and-safety considerations and liaison with the leads on that site.

I have also made clear my concerns on the process to the Council department itself, including the mis-matched dates and publication of the Temporary Traffic Regulation Order. They have responded as follows:

'In the interests of the safety of the public and of site workers, CCG has obtained statutory approval for a temporary closure of the section of St Mark’s Path between the Water of Leith and Broughton Road from Monday 17 November 2025. The closure has initially been approved until 12 January 2026. Information regarding construction including the temporary closure of St Mark’s Path was issued by various means during week commencing 10 November 2025. This included details of the approved diversion route. There is also a shorter informal diversion closer to St Mark’s Path on the Water of Leith side. We recognise that more notice could have been given and apologise for any inconvenience caused. 

'No decision has been taken on whether St Mark’s Path will require to close for the full duration of the works. The Council is in discussion with CCG regarding options to allow the path to safely reopen during construction and, if closure can’t be avoided, how best to mitigate any impact. As soon as a decision has been taken the Council and CCG will let people know via the website and community newsletter. Regardless of this decision, the path will have to close for periods whilst the improvement works directly to the path are undertaken.

'As a live construction site, the health and safety of site staff and the public is the most important factor in any decision and must not be compromised.

'As a major building project that directly involves St Mark’s Path, a degree of disruption to path users is unavoidable. However, the Council and contractor are working together to minimise this, and we’d be grateful for your patience and cooperation during this period.'

As such, I am hoping to call the site manager again at the end of the week to request an update and will continue advocating for either an alternate parallel route, or a less intensive closure and clarity on any further closures requested.

UPDATE, 3.24pm: Councillor Caldwell tells us he received the following communication from a Council official late last night: 'I wanted to update you that the contractor, CCG, is progressing with a review of access arrangements to St Mark’s Path during construction works at the Powderhall development. All available solutions to provide a safe route during construction will be reviewed. I am expecting these options from the contractor by the end of this week, and cwe will review these in the context of both safety and amenity but the contractor is aiming to minimise disruption to the path users.'

UPDATE, 3.42pm: This afternoon, Spurtle was sent the text of an email sent today from the Chair of the Edinburgh Access Panel to a professional consultant called Dennis O'Keefe. Mr O'Keeffe is representing the interests of Yossi Mazon, proprietor of the DelishYoss Coffee Bar on Broughton Road. We have permission to reproduce it below (unedited and in full).

 

Dennis,

 

I am chairman of Edinburgh Access Panel. As an independent team of volunteers, most of whom are disabled, we are one of Edinburgh Council's key stakeholders on disabled access. Our friends at Disability Equality Scotland forwarded to us your letter of November 25 regarding the temporary closure of St Mark's Path.

 

I visited St Mark's Path yesterday to investigate the diversion. I noted the official-looking "Diversion" signs on Broughton Road which imply that the diversion is recommended and therefore safe.

 

Here are my comments.

 

• The lane down from Broughton Road to Dunedin Street is unsafe for many disabled pedestrians.
• The gradient is too steep for wheelchair users and the surface unsuitable. There is a risk that wheelchair users will be stranded at the bottom of the lane.
• The gradient and poor surface make the lane dangerous for ambulant disabled pedestrians and (especially) vision impaired pedestrians principally because of the trip hazards due to the badly broken surfaces.
• Hand-rails would be a partial mitigation.
• There is no segregation of cyclists and pedestrians. I witnessed cyclists free wheeling down the lane at high speed.
• Is  the lane adopted by the Council? I noted the disclaimer posted near the top.
• Who will clear the snow and grit the surfaces during the winter months?
• The "Diversion" signage is inadequate. I noticed no signs after setting off down Powerhall Road and eventually gave up when I reached Broadside.

 

Because of these issues I would recommend signage which discourages disabled people from attempting the diversion route and suggests an alternative way of accessing the Park. In addition, since St Mark's Path is likely to be closed for several weeks, the signage should state the approximate planned re-opening date.

 

I hope this is useful. I'm happy for you to quote me if you wish. Please keep me updated as matters progress.

 

Thanks and regards,

 

Robin Wickes

 

Chairman, Edinburgh Access Panel   

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