Prime city site branded ‘eyesore’ as work stalls

Contractors tasked with transforming a prime location near Haymarket station have said they remain “fully committed” to the project despite fresh concern over work grinding to a halt.

The Morrison Street site – earmarked for a £200 million revamp by Edinburgh Haymarket Developments – was yesterday branded an “eyesore” amid claims there has been no sign of activity for several months.

It had been hoped the site’s first buildings would be completed by early this year, but it is now thought construction may not begin until next year.

Alex Mckinlay, manager of Morrison Street business Grove Bedding, said he had not seen anyone on the building site for months.

“Everything seemed to be going quite well until a couple of months ago,” he said. “There was lorry loads of earth going out and all of a sudden it came to a standstill.

“At one point they kept us up to date with a newsletter, but since this has stopped that doesn’t happen … it’s an eyesore.”

The scheme, which would see the arrival of a major new complex of offices, cafes, bars and restaurants, was previously hit by delays during efforts to strengthen underground tunnels.