The construction works on the G&V Hotel, which began in 2020, were originally meant to be taken down after one year. The scaffolding has remained on the George IV Bridge for five years, due to “complex construction issues.”
The City of Edinburgh Council has revealed that works are set to be dismantled incrementally throughout 2025, beginning in February and finishing before the Christmas period.
Due to the works, pedestrians have been limited to walking in single file down an enclosed corridor. The resulting congestion has also affected cars using the road daily.
A student at the University of Edinburgh said the scaffolding “detracts from the aesthetic of the city,” especially due to the nature of its location. The George IV Bridge is located just off the Royal Mile, a popular tourist destination known for its medieval-looking architecture and cobblestone streets.
At the other end of the city, North Bridge is in a similar situation with scaffolding causing disruption there too.
“I’m sure there are other reasons for it but the buildings in Edinburgh are very old so it seems likely that there will just be a continuous demand for maintenance and repairs in the years to come,” said one Edinburgh local.
“It’s a shame because there constantly seems to be scaffolding everywhere you look,” said another student at the University of Edinburgh, referencing the Teviot Bar as another site which has been forced to temporarily close due to construction.
Image via Ida Middlemiss Frost.