East End Junction
East End | |||
Location Map ( geo) | |||
| |||
Location | |||
Central Edinburgh | |||
County | |||
Midlothian | |||
Highway Authority | |||
Edinburgh | |||
Junction Type | |||
Crossroads | |||
Roads Joined | |||
A1, A7, A8, A900 | |||
East End is the junction at the heart of Scotland's road network and the only place in Great Britain where 3 single-digit roads have met. The 1-, 6-, 7- and 9-zones meet here. Oddly many signs use brackets despite the road they point down having that number.
To the west, Princes Street runs, taking you after many name changes to Glasgow via the A8 (although much of Princes Street is only accessible to buses, taxis, and bicycles, not private motor vehicles). To the south, the North Bridge (and later the South Bridge) carry the A7 through the Southside and Newington out of the city. The quietest branch goes to the east, where Waterloo Place soon turns into Regent Road, carrying the A1 around the south of Calton Hill and its impressive Greek Revival architecture. To the northeast, Leith Street (the A900) heads towards the port of Leith, while also carrying eastbound traffic to London Road (B1350, later A1) and out of the city centre.
The junction is surrounded by some of Edinburgh's most notable buildings. To the north is Robert Adam's understated, neoclassical New Register House, home of the General Register Office for Scotland. On the southwest corner is the extravagantly decorated Balmoral Hotel, formerly the North British Hotel, which opened in 1902. It is built above Waverley Station, Edinburgh's chief railway station and its clock still runs a few minutes fast to ensure travellers get their train on time. On the southeast is another large building, formerly the Edinburgh General Post Office, now converted into offices.
Routes
Route | To | Notes |
Berwick upon Tweed | forms 1/6 boundary | |
Jedburgh (A68), Galashiels, Hawick | forms 6/7 boundary | |
Waverley Station, Car Park | forms 7/9 boundary. Part of Princes Street buses/trams/taxis/cycles/pedestrians only | |
Leith, Glasgow (M8), Forth Road Bridge (A90) | forms 9/1 boundary. Provides access to A8 |
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