'No further action' over man killed by bus in Edinburgh

Michael Leneghan died after being struck by a bus in the Cowgate last year

The investigation into the death of a man from catastrophic injuries following an incident involving a coach in Edinburgh city centre has been closed.

The procurator fiscal said "no further action" would be taken over the death of Michael Leneghan in the city's Cowgate in November 2024.

Police Scotland concluded its inquiries into the incident earlier this year.

A protest over traffic restrictions and pedestrian safety on the street is due to be held ahead of City of Edinburgh Council's transport and environment committee meeting on Thursday.

A spokesperson for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service said: "Following investigation, the procurator fiscal concluded that no further action was required.

"The family have been informed."

Mr Leneghan, who was 74, was on foot when he was struck by the single-decker bus, a private coach, on the evening of 2 November last year.

The street, which is lined with bars and clubs on both sides, was busy with revellers celebrating Halloween and supporters returning to the city centre after a Scotland rugby match at Murrayfield Stadium.

It is understood several people witnessed the incident.

Images and videos from the scene circulated widely on social media in the aftermath despite police warnings against sharing the content.

Officers also cautioned against speculation over the cause and nature of Mr Leneghan's death.

A police cordon covering almost the entire Cowgate was put in place after the incident

In a report to the local authority, police said the road and footpath layout were "not contributing factors to the incident".

Campaigners have repeatedly called for the street to be completely closed off to traffic, or further restrictions to be implemented.

Cycling advocacy group Critical Mass is due to hold a protest outside the City Chambers before Thursday's council meeting, where traffic orders will be discussed.

'Missed opportunities'

Vehicles have been restricted from entering the area between the Grassmarket and Blackfriars Street from 22:00 to 05:00 since May 2003.

That came six months after the area was ravaged by a fire which destroyed 11 buildings containing bars, nightclubs and arts venues.

An exemption is in place for those crossing the street by car between Guthrie Street and Blair Street.

In December last year, the curfew was dropped from 22:00 to 20:00 for a three-week period and in July and August, during Edinburgh's festival season, it was reduced further to 15:00.

Traffic is restricted in the Cowgate during certain times of the day

It is also covered by the city's 20mph and Low Emission zones.

The council initially approved an "experimental" traffic order to close the street to vehicles in February 2024, but that was shelved due to a lack of funding.

Charity Living Streets carried out an audit of pedestrian access to the Cowgate in 2016, with one participant in the survey describing it as "the worst street in Edinburgh for walking".

Its convener, David Hunter, said the council had "missed opportunities" to put permanent restrictions in place.

He said: "It is frustrating that the curfew was brought in 20-plus years ago because there was a recognition that it was a dangerous place for pedestrians, particularly at night, and the Cowgate has got much busier since then.

"I do have sympathy, because it is not as easy as just closing the Cowgate. There has to be a thought of the impact on the streets around it, the Royal Mile for example has a primary school on it.

"I am reluctant to say that we should just close the Cowgate to traffic. We need to look at the city centre as a whole, but there doesn't seem to be that appetite."

City of Edinburgh Council's transport convener, councillor Stephen Jenkinson, said: "The police investigation of the November 2024 incident concluded that the road layout was not a contributing factor.

"However, under the City Centre Transformation Plan (CCTP), we're committed to making the Cowgate and other key streets in the Old Town safer, more accessible, and sustainable."