Famous Hogmanay Christmas party affected by tram works

August 26, 2009

Edinburgh’s world famous Hogmanay Christmas party celebrations are expected to be downsized this year as a result of tram works in the city.

Parts of the city’s Prince’s street are expected to be closed during the festive season this year, according to council officials. This will impact plans to hold the street party, the planning for which should be well under way by now.

The organisers of the event claim that the worst case scenario will see a scaled down version of the street party and that the event will go head whatever happens.

Some 100,000 people usually descend on Edinburgh city centre to enjoy the Christmas street party each year.

Pete Irvine from the event company that runs the festival and street party says, “all we can really say about this at present is we are continuing to have discussions with all the relevant authorities about how the tramworks will affect things for Christmas and Hogmanay. We think everything is going to be fine for Hogmanay. We run the street party year after year so we know exactly what public safety measures are needed."

Council officials have already admitted that the late-running work will prevent traffic returning to Prince’s street until mid-January.