The £9500 project involves laying a base of stones to create a firm bed, then covering that with sand and plastic able to take the weight of large vehicles, before laying soil and planting grass on top.

The unusual measure comes after a growing number of events on the Meadows caused concern it is being ruined by overuse.

Around 200 square metres of land off Melville Drive has received the "grass-concrete" treatment, which will be used as an access path for vehicles setting up equipment in East Meadow Park. This will protect the turf as well as limit the use of Middle Meadow Walk, freeing it up for walkers and cyclists. Users of the park should be unable to notice any difference in its appearance once the grass has grown.

The city council is also considering using the system elsewhere in the Meadows.

A combination of several months of bad weather in 2007 and the impact of new events like the Moonwalk and Taste of Edinburgh left the middle section in its worst state of disrepair for years.

Councillors have ordered a report on how other parks and gardens in the city could be used to help relieve the pressure.

City environment leader Robert Aldridge said: "This is a very simple system which is relatively inexpensive, but we expect it to make a big difference in the Meadows.

"It means that we can now avoid the use of Middle Meadow Walk for vehicles where possible and reduce sinking of the turf and tyre tracks at the main events area."

Fringe Sunday was relocated to the Meadows several years ago and popular acts like the Lady Boys of Bangkok also regularly use the park.

Campaign groups believe the council is allowing too many events to be held on the Meadows, with not enough restrictions being placed on organisers.

Last year's Moonwalk was hailed a massive success, raising millions for charity, but heavy machinery was needed to take down huge tents afterwards.

Coupled with pouring rain, and the subsequent summer events, the grass in some patches has still not properly recovered.

Local Tory councillor Cameron Rose said: "The area has really suffered, particularly to the east of Middle Meadow Walk. It was an unfortunate set of circumstances following on from the Moonwalk, which made it very difficult for (the grass] to catch up. The park staff are doing a very good job and they have been very responsive to public representations. The grass-concrete is a sensible measure."

Fringe Sunday can attract crowds of more than 200,000, and last year the Meadows also hosted the Taste of Edinburgh food and drink festival, a rally following an Orange parade and the climax to the Great Edinburgh Run.

NONE OF THE FUN OF THE FAIR

A POPULAR summer funfair looks set to be missing from the line-up of events on the Meadows this year.

The funfair has been a regular fixture during the Festival in recent years.

But the city council has so far not received an application to host the event this year.

The majority of other Meadows events planned for 2008 are still likely to go ahead, despite plans to better utilise other parks in the city.

The Meadows Marathon is scheduled for March, while an Orange parade is expected in May and this year's charity Moonwalk is set for June.

Previous Tollcross Articles
Councillors plot surprise visits to check on city's rowdy pubs
Life Behind Bars
Tram works heat up in the City Centre