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Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
National
Kris Gourlay

Plans for Edinburgh's historic Radical Road include huge 'sky walkway'

Edinburgh's historic Radical Road could see a huge 'sky walkway' built, as plans are being considered for the path that has been closed for years due to persistent rock fall.

The famous path, at Holyrood Park, has been closed for more than three years due to safety concerns, with other options being considered including re-opening the path at user's risk, installing an avalanche-style shelter or wire mesh, or permanently closing the route.

BBC News report that the most exciting and aesthetically-pleasing option for the path is for a huge 'sky walkway' to be installed, allowing hikers to be blessed with some of the best views across the capital.

READ MORE: First picture of loved Edinburgh dad who died after attack on city street

The site's manager has reportedly made no final decision yet, with the park belonging to Historic Environment Scotland.

The Radical Road runs along Salisbury Crags at Arthur's Seat, an extinct volcano that is one of Edinburgh's best-known landmarks.

It was closed in 2018 after 50 tonnes of rock fell from cliffs onto the path.

Several organisations including Ramblers Scotland, Edinburgh heritage watchdog and the Cockburn Association have spoke of their desire to see the route reopened to the public.

An internal report into the risk management of the area suggests options which could allow the path to be reopened.

It cites the sky walkway at Jasper National Park in Alberta, in the Canadian Rockies, as an example that could be replicated at the Radical Road.

Radical Road and the Salisbury Crags, Edinburgh (Richard Law/ Creative Commons)

Other proposals include covering the path with avalanche-style shelters similar to those at Lochcarron, or covering the rock face with wire mesh.

Each of these options would cost about £2.5m.

The Radical Road got its name in the aftermath of the 1820 Radical War, with the uprising a result of the social unrest amongst workers who were fed up with what they perceived to be unjust working and living conditions.

Unemployed weavers paved the track around Salisbury Crags, in a plan which was suggested by author Sir Walter Scott.

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