HISTORIC Environment Scotland (HES) has announced work will begin on protective infrastructure along Duddingston Low Road in Holyrood Park after months of closure to drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians.
In March, the Low Road was closed after geotechnical inspections at Samson’s Ribs revealed a risk of rockfall.
The road's closure has led to events such as the Edinburgh Marathon and Edinburgh's Moonwalk to be rerouted.
HES’s latest statement also confirms ongoing efforts to explore options to safely re-open the road, beyond just the pavement. These include a range of technical designs currently being evaluated by specialist engineers.
However, securing permissions, design approval, and funding for any road solution means this work could take 12-18 months to complete. An update is expected in two months.
In an update to residents, the park management team said a 0.8 m tall concrete barrier, topped with a 2.2 m fence, will be installed alongside the pavement, and 0.3 m of aggregate will be laid on the carriageway to absorb falling debris and prevent rocks from bouncing into the cleared area.
HES said it expects to finish this phase by the end of July, at which point the pavement will re-open and update signage will be installed.
Work will begin from Monday 14 July,
HES has since the closure emphasised action taken was a precaution to protect walkers, cyclists, and drivers as part of a longstanding rock safety programme in the park, an SSSI and Scheduled Ancient Monument.
Another road, the Radical Road (campaigners below), has been closed since 2018 after a large rockfall.
One recent engineering report noted 17 slate-rock incidents on Salisbury Crags since 2007, including a 50‑tonne fall in September 2023. Options considered ranged from permanent closure to installing netting or skipping the path entirely. Work toward safer access continues.
Local campaigners and park users have long pressed HES to expedite reopening. In March, residents said they were frustrated at prolonged closures, citing traffic disruption and increased congestion in Duddingston when the Low Road was shut.
Martin Gray from HES told residents: "Work will commence week beginning Monday July 14 to put in place the required infrastructure to enable safe pedestrian and dismounted cyclist access to return to this pavement." He added: "The target for completion of this installation work is the end of July. We will announce once the pavement has re-opened and signage in the surrounding area will be updated accordingly.
