Edinburgh residents demand removal of traffic cones from statues

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 12 Oct, 13:01 · Archive

Residents of Edinburgh's Old Town have called for the removal of traffic cones placed on historical statues.

Residents of Edinburgh's Old Town have demanded that the local council remove traffic cones placed on top of historical statues, describing them as an 'eyesore' and 'embarrassment'. The tradition of topping statues with traffic cones originated in Glasgow but spread to Edinburgh following the World Cup, when Scottish supporters placed cones on statues in Boston and Miami.

Daniel Todd, chair of the Old Town Community Council, said many of the cones had been carried up North Bridge from roadworks on Waterloo Place, but others appeared to have been 'scattered with no obvious purpose' with no council effort to clear them. Heritage bodies have warned that the trend risks damaging Edinburgh's historic monuments.

Beyond the cones themselves, Todd called for the council to address other shabby street furniture, including temporary railings and barriers at junctions. He described the arrangements at key locations as 'shabby' and 'makeshift' for one of the city's most visited areas. The craze has divided residents, with some viewing the cones as a humorous tradition and others seeing them as a blight on the city centre.

Edinburgh residents demand removal of traffic cones from statues — Image: Edinburgh Live

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How it is being reported

Edinburgh Old Town locals brand 'eyesore' traffic cones an 'embarrassment'The craze has divided residentsEdinburgh Live · 12 Oct, 12:43
'Not even Edinburgh's joke': Old Town residents demand council remove 'eyesore' stray traffic conesThe residents’ group is calling on the council to clear the abandoned traffic cones and tidy up the “shabby” road signs and railingsEdinburgh Evening News · 12 Oct, 06:00

In this story: Edinburgh · Old Town Community Council · Daniel Todd · Glasgow · Scotland

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