A petition calling for the reopening of Edinburgh's 200-year-old historic Radical Road, which provided access for climbers, runners, walkers and tourists to Salisbury Crags in Holyrood Park, is nearing its goal of 2,000 signatories. Historic Environment Scotland (HES) unilaterally fenced-off the path in September 2018 due to concerns about rockfall, preventing access to the popular recorded right-of-way and crag under bylaws that exempt the Park from conventional Scottish access rights.

The closure has affected access to Salisbury Crags South Quarry, for many decades a favourite city centre bouldering venue.

Campaigners for the path's reopening argue that the path and surrounding crags are being managed like 'historic buildings', depriving the public of the opportunity to enjoy the natural environment at their own risk as in other Scottish outdoor spaces. They are appealing for a more holistic approach to the site's management, balancing the risk of rockfall against the impact of the closure on the economy, landscape, tourism and people's health and wellbeing.

HES is consulting the public on the management of Holyrood Park until 19 December, but its consultation does not address the status of the Radical Road. 

In response, a group of campaigners - led by Ramblers Scotland, Cockburn Association, Edinburgh Geological Society, Mountaineering Scotland and ScotWays - launched a petition following a meeting on 3 December. The petition is aiming to gather 5,000 signatures and currently stands at 1,795 at the time of posting. 

An article accompanying the petition reads:

"It is farcical that HES has failed to reopen the Radical Road, following half a decade of missed deadlines and broken promises. HES must stop managing this world-famous geological feature like a crumbling historic building."

"HES should put up signs advising of the risks - and continue to monitor the rock face - then let the public make their own informed decisions, just like everywhere else in Scotland."

The online consultation is open until 19 December. Read and contribute to the consultation here: