Edinburgh's roadworks are so bad it's hardly worth trying to get anywhere by car – Hayley Matthews

I don't take the car out much at the moment, and avoid heading anywhere west of Meadowbank with a vehicle due to the roadworks everywhere!

Hayley Matthews found herself confronted by too many road closed signs (Picture: Lisa Ferguson)

However, I made the massive mistake this week of jumping in the car to go to a last-minute medical appointment in Stockbridge. I didn't fancy three buses to get there so the car it was.

After leaving Portobello, it took an hour to get to Broughton Street and turned into more of a day out, driving round in circles! A journey that should have taken an hour maximum took me practically all day. So I have some advice.

If you do anything this weekend, avoid taking your car anywhere past Abbeyhill. I made the mistake of heading towards London Road without even thinking that I couldn't get anywhere near the city centre (I know schoolgirl error but it's hard to keep up with all the closures). Seriously, it's like a scene from the Walking Dead. Roads blocked off, folk wandering on the road!

I was sent on a huge de-tour down Easter Road, halfway up Leith Walk (well, as far as you can get), in and out of every side street possible and round in circles. I was so flustered I turned up at the wrong place! That's how good my week has been going. I was late, hacked off and bursting for a pee.

I ended up not needing the procedure after all which was a blessing because I'd heard it's not pleasant. However, one thing that is even more unpleasant at the moment is trying to get anywhere in Edinburgh, whilst sitting behind a wheel!