Parking banned under Castle Rock after latest fall

CARS and buses are to be banned from parking directly beneath Castle Rock after a falling boulder smashed on to a tour bus.

Walkers may also be banned from using the nearest footpath in an effort to protect them from potential rock falls.

Traffic orders enforcing the parking ban on the north side of Johnston Terrace are expected to be in place by the end of the year.

It will be enforced for at least 18 months while Historic Scotland carries out further geological tests. Depending on the results of the study, the footpath may also be closed.

Two months ago, a 20-inch piece of rock crashed on to an empty tour bus – days after geologists had given the site the all-clear.

There have been a number of rock falls in the area in recent years, the most serious occurring in 2006, when a huge boulder fell and smashed into a taxi.

The cab's driver had just seen a tourist being hit on the head by a rock as she tried to get out of the way of falling debris.

Historic Scotland, whose responsibility it is to look after the Rock, said heavy rainfall or plant roots could loosen smaller rocks which are already subject to natural erosion.

A spokeswoman said: "Historic Scotland take the issue of public safety very seriously.

"We operate an ongoing programme of maintenance of the Castle Rock and have a risk management plan in place. This includes scaling, rock traps and rock anchor work.

"Rock scaling involves the removal of plants, sweeping away any surface debris and removing any loose fragments of rock. It is all about identifying possible loose rocks and the removal of them."

She added: "Our Rock Squad, comprising a team of experts, continually monitor the status of the Castle mount and will continue to be involved in detailed examinations of the rock face."

Councillor Robert Aldridge, the city's environment leader, said: "We are working closely with Historic Scotland to identify the most effective and environmentally sensitive means of making the Castle Rock and its surrounds safe while, of course, keeping in mind the need to preserve this spectacular, and quite unique, feature at the heart of our city."