Leith needs you amid tram service hiatus - Jane Meagher

This is a significant step in our recovery from the fire, and I am grateful to the Scottish Government for finding the money to support Scotland’s capital city as we enter the busiest month of the year.

Council leader Jane Meagher (left) with Deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth in Princes Street

I am acutely aware of the effect that this is having across the city every day and I hope that this news will bring some comfort to our residents, businesses and visitors.

Council officers have already started work on a scheme that will offer support to some of the businesses who have been most affected.

The city is very much open and I’d encourage everyone to support our fantastic local businesses as the festivals get underway. I want to pay particular attention to the wonderful businesses in Leith who are bearing the brunt of the disruption to the tram network and encourage everyone to get down to Leith and experience everything that is on offer there.

Lothian Buses are running a full bus service from the city centre to Leith, and it is still possible to get to the Shore, Great Junction Street and Commercial Quay and people shouldn’t be put off.

If you have been looking for a chance to try the city’s Voi bike hire scheme, then this might be perfect opportunity as Leith is easily accessible by bike.

I’d urge people to plan ahead and leave extra time for journeys, particularly as the Festival has now started.

I understand that this is a difficult time for many in the city and people are frustrated and I am grateful to the public for their patience. This is an incredibly complex situation, and the council and partners are working flat out to make the building safe and get things back to normal.

I want to place on record my thanks to everyone involved so far, particularly the contractors - who are working on the building to make it safe, this is a dangerous and painstaking job – and the bus drivers, many of whom are working overtime to keep the city moving.