FOR motorists it has meant traffic chaos and frustration, but for residents and traders in the Grassmarket, the enforced closure of the West Port has offered a foretaste of things to come.

The road closure, following a building collapse, has turned the area into an almost traffic-free zone.

And that could be the feel of the future after the Scottish Executive today gave the go-ahead for the north of the Grassmarket to be turned into a "pedestrian-friendly" square.

But the experience of recent days has deeply divided opinion in the area about whether the changes should be welcomed.

Some say it shows how the Grassmarket could establish itself as one of the Capital's best attractions – a magnet for shoppers and tourists alike, in a spectacular setting below the Castle.

Others say it will spell the kiss of death for their businesses.

Fawns Reid, who owns the hat shop Fabhatrix on Cowgatehead, said that the closure of the West Port may have been "a blessing in disguise".

He said: "I think it's quite a positive thing as it gives us a taste of what it's going to be like. People spend more time in the Grassmarket when there aren't so many cars about. It gives it such a nice, relaxing feel."

Many visitors to the area have also been struck by the change in atmosphere.

Romana Herbert, 16, a pupil at George Heriot's, said she had enjoyed the quieter streets during lunch breaks and after school. She said: "We have noticed it and it's been nicer. It would be a lot easier with less traffic because it's murder trying to cross the road."

David Rintoul, chairman of Tollcross Community Council, said: "It was lovely down there at the weekend, with people walking around the shops. There are a lot of small shops there, and they're all open for business as usual."

The changes about to be made to the Grassmarket will not have as drastic an effect on traffic as the closure of West Port, which is due to be shut for at least two more weeks while demolition work is carried out on the former Post Office. Cars will still be able to travel straight through the Grassmarket, but will be banned from the Castle side of the square after 10.30am. The pavement will be widened there, with the subsequent loss of car parking spaces.

However, Mathieu Cagna, the manager of the restaurant Petit Paris, said the new pedestrian-friendly area would spell disaster for businesses.

He said: "The road closure has affected us a lot. The Grassmarket is very, very quiet. It's been very hard for the restaurant. I would say we've had between 40 and 50 per cent fewer customers."

Bill Cowens, who runs fancydress shop Costume Haha and is chairman of the Old Town Community Council, said: "If you chase the cars away, some businesses will immediately go down. I don't think it's a big enough attraction for pedestrians.

"The thing about specialist shops like ours is people will drive into Edinburgh to visit them. It's unrealistic to expect them to leave their cars at home."

Frank Glancy, owner of Gerry's Newsagent, said any restrictions on traffic would hit small businesses. He said: "I think everybody has seen a big drop in takings. The Grassmarket has been very, very quiet. Shops like mine rely on passing trade."

However, Matt Dale, who runs Mr Wood's Fossils and is on the committee of the Grassmarket Traders' Association, said he was "cautiously optimistic" about the plans – despite having takings drop by 50-60 per cent in the last two weeks. He said: "This makes me a little concerned for the time when the work's going on, but I think once the work's done it will be an asset to Edinburgh.

"I'm hoping the council will spend some of the money on promoting the Grassmarket. We need to help push it more ourselves, and make it into a brand."

Visitors to the city will love the pedestrian zone, according to Ben Carter, area director of VisitScotland. He said: "From a visitor's perspective, it's great news. There's no doubt that if there are pedestrianised areas, there are more opportunities for stopping outside. There's been a great atmosphere when we've had French markets. This is an area that could be made a lot more accessible to tourists, and it could benefit traders as well."

The council hopes the changes will breathe new life into the area, creating a better environment for those on foot, and providing an area for outdoor entertainment.

Councillor Jim Lowrie, the city council's new planning leader, said: "The Grassmarket gives us an opportunity to open up a square where people can come and shop, and mingle. It's difficult with a main artery, but at the moment it's basically a car park. We are trying to get away from this.

"I understand the shopkeepers are concerned about losing trade, but I think in the long term, the benefits will outweigh the cons."

But the pitfalls of a more continental-style environment may also have to be tackled.

Graham Bell, spokesman for the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, warned there were potential problems, although he broadly supported the council's plans.

He said: "The Grassmarket is already an attractive area, and there are a number of excellent quality shops and restaurants. There's also plenty of room in the Cowgate for improvement, and we hope this will start to breathe new life into the area."

But he warned that more pavement cafes and pubs could cause problems for residents. He added: "Whilst it's good to see the council investing in the environment in many commercial parts of the city, one of the concerns is the negative effects of late-night drinking and weekend partying, which can get out of hand."

The closure of the West Port does not appear to have caused any major knock-on effect on traffic elsewhere in the city centre.

Shopkeepers and residents in Lauriston Place and Castle Terrace said they had noticed some extra traffic over the last couple of weeks, but nothing which had caused problems.

Councillor Phil Wheeler, the city transport leader, said the closure of West Port had not created traffic chaos in other parts of the city, as some had feared.

He said: "The diversions have been managed very effectively by the police. I'm not aware of it creating any major problems on other routes."

But he also said it would be unrealistic to make it completely pedestrian. He said: "It's a nice idea, but this is one of the main traffic arteries in the city. We've had a lot of consultation with local residents, who are worried about where to park their cars."

PROGRAMME FOR A NEW LOOK
WORK is due to begin on the £6 million overhaul of the Grassmarket in September, after it was given the go-ahead by the Scottish Executive.

Contractors R J McLeod have now been appointed to carry out most of the work, due to be completed by the end of December 2008.

The project is intended to make the district more pedestrian-friendly, by banning traffic from the area outside the shops, bars and restaurants on the Castle side of the square. This will leave room for a bigger pavement cafe area and create more space for special events. The number of parking spaces will be cut from 164 to 111.

New seats and steps are to be installed at the Covenanters Memorial, in the centre of the Grassmarket, while improvements will also be carried out to the remains of the Flodden Wall.

The first set of plans attracted dozens of objections from community groups, heritage organisations and local businesses. They were modified to preserve the historic cobbles and save some of the parking spaces, and were approved in April.