Festival street access in Old Town
We know that residents, businesses and visitors face challenges in the Old Town during the busy summer festival period. We are putting in place temporary arrangements between 20 July and 3 September 2023 to make the busy streets easier and safer to walk around.
We will also have additional changes on 6 August 2023 as Edinburgh is hosting the UCI Cycling World Championships Elite Men’s Road Race.
We recognise that these changes may impact on resident's and businesses' daily activities. We are extremely grateful for everyone's patience and support with making Edinburgh a welcoming city.
You can find more information on roadworks and travel disruptions by following Edintravel on
If you have any questions about these closures, please email us. This mailbox will be monitored regularly during working hours. We will respond as quickly as possible.
Advice for residents and businesses
Home deliveries
If you are planning any shopping or other deliveries to your home, you should organise for them to arrive when the streets are open. Outside these times, and in some closed streets, delivery drivers may need to park some distance away from you. We should be grateful if you would make sure that your delivery drivers/companies are aware of the changes.
Goods delivered by bike or on foot will not be affected.
Blue Badge holders
Blue Badge holders can park
- in pay & display spaces
- in shared use spaces
- on yellow lines (without loading prohibition)
free of charge and without time limit. Blue Badge holders can also get a free residents’ parking permit if they do not already have one.
Places of worship
If you require closer access for worship or ceremonies during vehicle-free hours, please email in advance to let us know your requirements.
Our team will work hard to try to accommodate access where possible. Please note the email address will be monitored during working hours only.
Loading and servicing for businesses
You will need to make sure that your business waste collections are completed before the affected streets close. You may have to place your waste collection in an alternative location. We have contacted trade waste companies to make them aware of these changes.
The changes also mean that loading and servicing must take place during the period the streets are open, generally overnight between 9pm and 10:30am. Outside of these times, and in some closed streets, suppliers and delivery drivers may need to park some distance away from your location to make deliveries. We would be grateful if you would make sure that your supplier or delivery drivers are aware of the changes and the potential impacts on their delivery schedules.
Goods delivered by bike or on foot will not be affected.
Special arrangements
We realise there may be a few specific (one-off) reasons where you may need to arrange for vehicle access – for example if you are moving into a new property and require access for a removals vehicle. In these instances, please email us