THE first attempts to fully reopen the West Port were marred by confusion this morning.

The area has been shut for more than three weeks following the partial collapse of the old Post Office building.

Traffic coming from the Grassmarket along West Port can now turn right at the junction with Lady Lawson Street. And traffic can also now travel the full length of Lady Lawson Street.

The stretch of the West Port in front of the building and part of Lauriston Street remains closed, however.

It is believed that this change was meant to take place at 6am today but didn't happen until 7.30am. This meant a Lothian Buses number two service had to reverse out of the street after it drove down to discover the barriers had not been lifted.

The busy route was meant to reopen last Thursday but officials decided it would be unsafe to reopen the road until most of the work was done.