All traffic would be banned from one of the Old Town’s busiest streets under plans that have been branded as “horrendous” by motorists. A new vision for the area between Holyrood and Haymarket includes a controversial proposal to remove general traffic and parking spaces from Chambers Street, directly outside the National Museum of Scotland – one of Scotland’s top tourist attractions.

A traffic shake-up is also proposed for the Royal Mile, with more sections facing possible pedestrianisation and a reduction in the speed limit to 20mph on other stretches of the historic street. The proposals are part of plans to make the city more friendly to cyclists and pedestrians. It is also hoped that Chambers Street could be used for concerts, markets or exhibitions if traffic is banned.