Edinburgh Residents Demand Removal of Traffic Cones from Historic Statues

Residents in Edinburgh's Old Town are calling for the removal of traffic cones that have been placed atop historic statues, describing them as "eyesores" and a "embarrassments." The practice, which has spread to several monuments in the city center, is increasingly drawing criticism from locals concerned about the preservation of the historic sites.

The appearance of traffic cones on statues gained traction after images circulated online during Scotland's World Cup campaign, showing them placed on the Duke of Wellington statue in Glasgow. This trend has since been observed in other Scottish locations, including Shetland, Dundee, and the North East.

In Edinburgh, the Duke of Buccleuch monument in Parliament Square has been adorned with at least five cones, prompting social media videos of attempts to remove them. Daniel Todd, chairman of the Old Town Community Council, stated that the practice is "not even Edinburgh's joke" and has become a "blight" on the Royal Mile, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

"This is Scotland's capital, and the Old Town is its shop window," Todd said. "Residents want to take pride in the place they live, and the whole country should be able to take pride in its capital."

Other statues, such as those of Adam Smith and Sherlock Holmes, have also been targeted. Residents have urged the city council to remove the cones and streamline the reporting process.

James Garry, assistant director of the Edinburgh conservation charity Cockburn Association, highlighted the "prominence and sensitivity" of the Old Town area. He expressed concerns about "obvious issues of respect," as well as "personal safety and the risk of damage when people climb on structures that were never designed for that purpose."

Edinburgh World Heritage noted that the presentation of civic spaces reflects how the city is perceived globally and suggested that any placement of objects should consider the character of the World Heritage Site.

Stephen Jenkinson, Edinburgh City Council's Transport and Environment Convener, acknowledged that the cones might be placed with good intentions but emphasized public safety. "Unsecured traffic cones can pose a risk to pedestrians and road users, potentially causing injury or creating a safety hazard," he said. The council commits to removing them promptly and encouraged the public to refrain from placing them on statues and monuments to prevent damage and ensure safe enjoyment of the World Heritage Site, ultimately saving taxpayer money.