WORK is ‘progressing well’ on making the fire-damaged building on Edinburgh’s Princes Street safe, the City of Edinburgh Council has said.
The major fire occurred at a former department store building on July 9, with around 50 firefighters battling the blaze at its peak.
The eastern gable of the building has now been secured and made safe, with this involving reducing it in height by approximately two metres and supporting it with scaffolding. The front façade of the building is being stabilised with steel beams – more than 40% of which are in place to support the western end of the Princes Street façade, with work ongoing on the remaining upper floors.
Several tonnes of brick and unsafe stonework – some weighing as much as 850kg – from the upper levels of the façade have been carefully removed and stored on site for reuse. Debris and dangerous materials continue to be removed from inside, with several tonnes already moved.
Subject to favourable weather conditions, the City of Edinburgh Council said that the hope is that work carried out will allow Princes Street to reopen by the end of August.
The City of Edinburgh Council leader Jane Meagher said, “We’ve been working tirelessly to make sure Princes Street can fully reopen and I’m reassured by the progress being made. It goes without saying that we want to do this as soon as possible – but only when it is safe to do so.
“I want to reiterate just how complicated, hazardous, and challenging this work is – and it was helpful to be able to share more of this detail during, what was, a very positive and constructive meeting with local business and community representatives last night.
“I was extremely grateful to all those who attended and gave us their feedback – which I committed to taking on board, either immediately or as part of our lessons learned exercise that will follow. I also welcomed the views of Edinburgh World Heritage and the Scottish Architectural Society who spoke in praise of the steps we’re taking to preserve an important part of our city’s heritage.
“Clearly, the resulting disruption continues to have a significant effect on businesses, particularly on the north end of the tram route, and last night we outlined our plans for a communications campaign to promote Leith, the Shore and Newhaven – and everything all they have to offer for our residents and visitors.
“This is being developed very much in partnership with the businesses and communities themselves – and we hope it will encourage people to visit businesses in the area well into the future.
“What also came across strongly last night was the effect this is having on our residents who are struggling to get to work, meet commitments or make appointments. I want to put on record again my thanks for your patience and understanding and to reiterate my determination to bring this disruption to an end as soon as it is safe to do so.
“In the meantime, I want to give special thanks to Lothian Buses, particularly their drivers, for their support in keeping the city moving.”
