ANTI-terror barriers in Edinburgh’s Lawnmarket are to now be removed, after being installed as a temporary measure in 2017.
The barriers, which were deemed as “aggressively ugly” by some locals, were put in place as a precaution against vehicle-based terror attacks.
Termed “hostile mitigation barriers”, the gates were prompted by the 2017 attacks on London Bridge and the Manchester Arena bombing and an increase of the national threat level from severe to critical.
These were intended principally for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, though they also control crowds throughout the rest of the year.
Now, the barriers are set to be replaced with permanent, smaller instillations similar to bollards seen in other areas of the city.
The National Vehicle Threat Mitigation Unit requires the city to use the National Barrier Asset – a regulated barrier system, until 2027.
In December last year, SNP Councillor Finlay McFarlane for the City Centre posted to social media saying: “Goodbye ugly barriers on the Lawnmarket.
“Very happy to see officers have been able to accommodate my request to build in proper anti-terrorism barriers to replace the defunct NBA as part of the project to renew the setted street.
“Big win.”
When the large black barriers and yellow gates were first introduced, some locals agreed with Councillor McFarlane, calling them “unsightly” and “aggressively ugly”, with others failing to see the “point” in the measures.
In October last year, a Culture and Communities Committee held a meeting regarding Hostile Vehicle Mitigation measures in the city, reporting that permanent installations had not been installed “mainly due to the time it takes to enable public realm works and also that funding is not currently available for this”.
This is also in accordance with Martyn’s Law, which was introduced in September last year, and ensures the readiness of public premises for terrorist attacks.
The law was named after Martyn Hett, who was tragically killed in the Manchester Arena attack in 2017.
Residents in the area have been notified that the temporary barriers in Lawnmarket are to be permanently removed and replaced with retractable bollards, which will also be erected in nearby areas in Old Town.