Heritage campaigners have hit out at the “abuse” of Princes Street Gardens after operators of the popular Christmas market left parts of the historic green space looking like a ‘ploughed field’.
Cockburn Association chair Cliff Hague accused the City of Edinburgh Council and Underbelly of “exploiting” the iconic park as images showed grass had not been replaced more than a month after the bustling attraction was torn down.
A mound of earth has been left at the base of the Scott Monument for several weeks but is yet to be utilised as part of the restoration of the area following the fairground rides and stalls taking over for the festive period.
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The organisation has previously called for the markets to ‘keep off the grass’ in future years due to damage caused to the surface.
A City of Edinburgh Council spokesperson said efforts to restore the Gardens to their former glory had been hampered by the effects of Storms Dudley, Eunice and Franklin.
Dr Hague told Edinburgh Live: “Yet again the exploitation of Edinburgh's showpiece garden by the Christmas Market has left it a long-lasting mess.
“Nobody can be surprised, not least Underbelly and the Council officials and elected members who gave them the go-ahead.”
He added: “Nobody would submit their own garden to this annual abuse, so why do we allow it to happen on a garden that is Public Good land?”'
Underbelly claimed revamped proposals for the 2021-22 programme, which included relocating the popular ice rink to a space between Charlotte Square and Castle Street, would use up to 75 per cent less space than previous years.
The firm was previously criticised in 2019 when it emerged dozens of stalls, fairground rides and food outlets had not gained the correct level of planning permission, leading to the Gardens being left a muddy quagmire and unable to be utilised for several months.
On that occasion, Underbelly was forced to foot a £150,000 bill for reinstatement work amid fury from locals, while City of Edinburgh Council chiefs stumped up an additional £40,000 to carry out drainage operations.
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A council spokesperson said: “Work is now well underway to getting those parts of Princes Street Gardens used back to best condition.
"A reinstatement programme started in January and has continued as weather conditions and soil temperatures have allowed.
"Unfortunately the recent storms have had an impact and slowed this process. However, we hope to commence turfing in the coming days and weeks and then visitors can once again fully enjoy the gardens.”
