Edinburgh locals face 'disgraceful' three-year road closure for student flats
Edinburgh politician brands road closure extension for student flat project a ‘disgrace.’
MP for Edinburgh South, Ian Murray, says that the Mayfield Road north bound has already been closed for three years while 148 student bedrooms are constructed.
The extension, which was granted by Edinburgh City Council earlier this week, will mean that the road will remain closed until December 31, 2024.
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Lying across the road from Edinburgh University's Kings Buildings, the accommodation is set to provide easy and efficient transport links to other campuses across the city.
In November 2016, planning had been approved to demolish the original garage, office space and single flat that had occupied the site.
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Clark Contracts are carrying out the work on behalf of Lanark Student Living, but locals are growing frustrated with the disruption.
MP Murray said: "The extension of this closure is a disgrace amid all the other disruptions in Edinburgh.
"My constituents are fed up with the disruptions to daily life that this never-ending development is causing.
"The Scottish Government does not allow the council to claim compensation from developers, instead giving developers a free pass to do whatever they like at the expense of local people."
Several residents reacted to a post on social media that was shared by Murray MP on Facebook.
Many expressed their dismay at the length of time the road has been closed and some called on action to be taken.
One said: “It is time that the Council put a price on the disruption caused by developers and stopped handing over our city and it's welfare to them. This development is in a ridiculous space. What has been the effect on the city's GDP of this major route being disrupted for 3 years? Pollution by traffic queuing?”
Another added: “Absolutely ridiculous. It should never have been permitted for a private development. What on earth is the justification for this?”
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While someone else said: “This is beyond ridiculous. The amount of inconvenience and time-wasting this has caused beggars belief.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Under planning legislation, councils already have the ability to serve completion notices requiring work to be completed by a certain date.
“Road traffic orders closing roads are time limited and are the responsibility of the local council.”
Clark Contracts and Edinburgh City Council were approached for comment.