Wednesday 11th September 2024, 2:12pm
Historic Environment Scotland have indicated that they are looking into improving access to part of the Radical Road, in Edinburgh’s Holyrood Park, which has been closed to the public since 2018 due to a significant rockfall onto the path. This path closure and the erection of a security fence prohibited access to South Quarry for climbing caused frustration within the local climbing community.
In publishing the results last week of their consultation on a Strategic Plan for the management of Edinburgh’s Holyrood Park, the Government agency indicated that there is scope for improving access parts of the Radical Road in spring 2025. HES say that specialist geotechnical engineers have completed a re-assessment of risk and potential mitigating measures and are now working toward opening up public access where it can be done safely, up to the northern edge of South Quarry.
Mountaineering Scotland have been participating in discussions with Historic Environment Scotland’s Radical Road Working Group, which has been assessing the challenges of rock slippage onto the historic path below Salisbury Crags, and the technicalities of managing this safely.
Mountaineering Scotland’s Access & Conservation Officer, Davie Black, said: “The intention to improve access to South Quarry is very welcome. It’s been closed to local climbers for a long time, but this announcement is a good step forward in what has proved to be a very complex and technical challenge.
We will continue to participate in HES’s Radical Road Working Group, to assist where we can, and to maintain the momentum to open up more of the historic path.”
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Mountaineering Scotland is a registered trademark of the Mountaineering Council of Scotland Limited
