Council accused of putting Fringe security concerns at risk '˜for sake of pizza van licence'

Campaigners have said the Fringe is at risk for the sake of a pizza van

Councillors have been accused of putting a licence for pizza vans ahead of security concerns as a row erupted over the management of the Royal Mile during this year's Fringe festival.

The City of Edinburgh Council’s Sub-Licensing Committee agreed to allow hot food vans to operate outside the Tron Kirk on the Royal Mile and in Hunter Square during August – despite council officers raising security and public safety concerns.

During this year’s Fringe, security barriers will be pushed back to the junction between the Royal Mile and South Bridge, and the road will be closed to traffic between 10am and 5pm. The hot food vans will be able to operate until 3am every day – and Fringe organisers will now submit revised plans for use of the Royal Mile.

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The plans for the stalls were agreed despite council officers highlighting “long-standing concerns regarding overcrowding”.

Cllr Scott Arthur said: “I think there’s real concerns around public safety. I don’t think we can support this at all.”

Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Arthur added: “The security of the world-famous Royal Mile festival experience has been put at risk for the sake of a pizza van licence.”

Ward Cllr Karen Doran also hit out at the decision.

She said: “I am very, very disappointed that this has been granted. As a local councillor, I’m aware of the great difficulty of having these food vans in place during the festival time.

“It is detriment to the area and to the festival experience in the Royal Mile.”

Officers pointed out concerns following a memo from the authority’s director of place around safety issues and overcrowding on pavements.