The City of Edinburgh Council has responded to queries about alleged recent changes in coach set-down and pick-up regulations, denying any prohibition at popular locations such as Charlotte Square.
In a statement to routeone, the council has highlighted ongoing discussions with coach and tour bus operators regarding the challenges faced due to city centre transformation initiatives. As part of the newly formed Coach Operations 2023 group, the council seeks to identify suitable set-down and pick-up locations in the city based on operators’ data on preferred areas, volumes, and timings.
A spokesperson has acknowledged instances where coaches were asked to move on from Charlotte Square but clarified that this action was taken “only when the coach remained at the location after passengers had been set-down”. They add that there is no prohibition on coaches using Charlotte Square within the appropriate areas or bus stand, despite assertions otherwise.
In an attempt to manage congestion, City of Edinburgh Council’s parking contractor NSL says it encourages coaches to vacate the limited space after set-down and pick-up, particularly when the bus stand, which is large enough only for one coach or bus, is occupied.
In line with its City Mobility Plan (CMP) and City Centre Transformation (CCT), the council is developing an Operational Management Plan (OMP). The strategy aims to outline the role of coaches, tour buses, freight, servicing, deliveries, construction traffic, and trade waste services in the implementation of these plans.
Meetings between the council and the Coach and Tour Bus stakeholder working group have taken place seven times during the first half of 2022. The council is trialling temporary measures for summer 2023 and developing a permanent arrangement with operators compatible with the CMP and CCT.
In addition, the council announced a trial transition arrangement in which city tour buses moved their start/finish location from St Andrew Square to Waterloo Place on 5 March. It is now actively learning from this exercise and seeking ‘quick wins’ to support operations in Edinburgh during the CMP and CCT project delivery.
The City of Edinburgh Council has promised regular updates and continued engagement with stakeholders to achieve a coordinated and holistic delivery of CMP objectives.
