MULTIPLE roads in Edinburgh were closed yesterday as bomb squads searched buildings around the city centre for possible “hazardous substances”.
The Pleasance, Cowgate to Guthrie Street, St Mary’s Street to Market Street and Holyrood to Queen’s Drive were all closed temporarily to allow investigations to continue.
Bomb disposal units were pictured at the scenes, as the public was urged to avoid the area.
This follows closures on The Pleasance at the weekend when a building was evacuated and an exclusion area erected, though substances were found to be non-hazardous.
Yesterday Police Scotland stated: “As part of enquiries into non-hazardous substances found within The Pleasance, Edinburgh on Sunday, 19 January, several road closures have been put in place this afternoon.
“The Pleasance, Cowgate to Guthrie Street, St Mary’s Street to Market Street and Holyrood to Queen’s Drive will be closed temporarily to allow investigations to continue.
“Pedestrians and motorists are asked to avoid the area.”
Later that evening, they confirmed: “Roads around The Pleasance area in Edinburgh have re-opened following the examination of non-hazardous substances found within a building.
“EOD assessed the items and they were found not to be harmful. There was no threat to the wider public.
“Thank you to everyone for their patience.”
The University of Edinburgh confirmed that none of the university buildings in the area were evacuated, and all remained open.
