'˜Residents are treated as an afterthought' Readers react to Princes Street barrier U-turn

Residents and readers of the Edinburgh Evening News have reacted furiously to the council's decision to U-turn on their pledge to remove barriers from Princes Street.
View of Princes Street gardens - taken from the bus - showing the black boards which have been put up to stop people viewing the concerts in the gardens for free.View of Princes Street gardens - taken from the bus - showing the black boards which have been put up to stop people viewing the concerts in the gardens for free.
View of Princes Street gardens - taken from the bus - showing the black boards which have been put up to stop people viewing the concerts in the gardens for free.

Irene Kilchenmann said: “An event such like this shouldn’t be held in a public space. Public is public. Make it a 100%, public or private. But not 75% public and then again 25% private. A place like that with a high frequency of tourists and locals should not be put up for renting.”

Melanie Mitchell wrote: “It’s very sad that Edinburgh residents are an afterthought in the festival and summer sessions plans.

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Council U-turns on pledge to remove barriers on Princes Street
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“Edinburgh is now unbearable in August yet we have to work here. Screening off the gardens or pedestrianising vast swathes of the road infrastructure without driving through a tourist tax and monitoring where public performing occurs creates a huge resentment and frustration for residents. Long gone is the supporting, enhancing role that the fringe plays to the mutual benefit and enjoyment of visitors and residents alike.

“A collaborative approach must surely be considered with meaningful debate with all concerned.”

Jeannie Jones added: “Who do the gardens belong to - surely the citizens of Edinburgh can find somewhere else to have the concerts and give back to us what is ours.”

“Princes Street is bad enough with hardly any shops left in it don’t spoil it any more”

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Scott J Glanville chimed in saying: “Ridiculous to have this dictated to in our own city aren’t we already all giving up enough already?”

Thinking aloud Sandra Stow asked: “I take it the concert promoters objected to the barriers being removed ? Who has the most power, those with money, or the people of Edinburgh ? I think we all know the answer to that.”

Paul Mcgregor surmised the thoughts of many saying: “A sign of the time’s welcome to a city that doesn’t give a hee haw for it’s people”

Gareth Fernie simply said: “Embarrassing.”