Key Points
- Monday afternoon saw the closure of Restalrig Avenue in Edinburgh after reports of an item that could have been of a suspicious nature.
- Several buildings surrounding the area were evacuated by Police Scotland, and a cordon was put in place from Loganlea Avenue to Loganlea Drive.
- The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team arrived at the scene and made the item safe.
- Number 25 bus service was rerouted through Craigentinny Avenue, Portobello Road and Wakefield Avenue and finally ended up on Craigentinny Road.
- The road was reopened in the evening of the same day after making the item safe without any injuries being reported.
Edinburgh (Edinburgh Daily ) August 10, 2026 – Restalrig Avenue was closed between Loganlea Avenue and Loganlea Drive following a report of a “potentially suspicious item” received by Police Scotland on Monday afternoon, prompting an emergency response that included the deployment of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team.
Restalrig Avenue in Edinburgh has reopened after a bomb disposal team was called to reports of a suspicious item found on Monday afternoon, with several properties evacuated and a police cordon set up before the item was made safe and the road cleared for traffic.
As reported by BBC News, a bomb disposal unit was summoned to the scene after the discovery, with several properties evacuated and a safety perimeter established around the area. Police Scotland confirmed that emergency services were in attendance alongside EOD specialists, and the public was asked to avoid the vicinity while the incident was dealt with as a precaution.
The closure affected the number 25 bus service, with Lothian Buses announcing diversions via Craigentinny Avenue, uk/local/portobello/">Portobello Road and Wakefield Avenue, and services terminating at Craigentinny Road until further notice.
How was the suspicious item made safe?
The EOD team assessed and rendered the item safe at the scene, after which the police cordon was lifted and Restalrig Avenue reopened to traffic later on Monday evening.
According to an update from North Edinburgh News at 6.15pm, emergency services including the EOD attended, the item was made safe, and no injuries were reported, with the public thanked for their patience. BBC News similarly reported that the road reopened after the bomb disposal team dealt with the suspicious item, confirming that the earlier evacuations and cordon were no longer in place.
STV News reported that roads in the area reopened after residents were evacuated due to the report of a potentially suspicious item, with a police cordon in place during the operation.
Which bus services were affected?
Lothian Buses confirmed that the number 25 route was unable to serve Loganlea Drive and Restalrig Avenue during the road closure.
As reported by The Herald, buses were instead diverted via Craigentinny Avenue, Portobello Road, Wakefield Avenue and terminating on Craigentinny Road until further notice. Edinburgh Evening News relayed the same diversion details, noting the impact on passengers using the service during the afternoon and early evening.
What did Police Scotland say?
A spokesperson for Police Scotland said:
“Restalrig Avenue in Edinburgh is closed between Loganlea Avenue and Loganlea Drive following a report of a potentially suspicious item.”
The force added:
“Emergency services are in attendance alongside the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD). A number of properties have been evacuated, and a cordon is in place as a precaution. The public is asked to avoid the area.”
After the item was made safe and the road reopened, police and emergency services indicated that the incident had concluded without harm to the public.
What was the impact on local residents?
Several properties near the cordon were evacuated as a precaution while the EOD team worked at the scene.
Residents were advised to stay clear of the area during the operation, with STV News noting that a number of homes were temporarily vacated while the police cordon remained in place. Once the item was made safe and the cordon lifted, residents were able to return, and normal access to the street was restored.
Background to the development
Incidents involving suspicious items in Edinburgh have previously required EOD attendance and, on occasion, controlled explosions. In April 2025, an unexploded wartime munition found on Portobello beach led to a cordon and a controlled explosion by Army EOD specialists, after which police confirmed there was no threat to the wider public. In January 2025, roads in the city centre reopened after bomb disposal crews investigated materials found near The Pleasance, which were ultimately deemed non-hazardous. A similar incident in Craigmillar in April 2025 saw a bomb disposal unit sent to Loganlea Gardens after notifications of a “potentially suspicious object”, with police attending and assessing the scene.
The Restalrig Avenue incident follows this pattern of precautionary closures, evacuations and EOD intervention, with the item ultimately made safe and the road reopened on the same day.
Prediction: how this development may affect commuters and residents
The quick resolution of the Restalrig Avenue incident is likely to reassure commuters and residents that such disruptions, while serious, can be managed efficiently with established emergency protocols. For regular users of the number 25 bus service, the temporary diversion highlights the potential for short-notice route changes during similar incidents, suggesting that passengers may benefit from monitoring real-time updates from Lothian Buses during future emergencies. For local residents, the evacuation and cordon underscore the importance of following police instructions during such events, and the swift reopening may help maintain confidence in the area’s safety procedures. Over time, repeated EOD attendances in Edinburgh could prompt continued public awareness messaging about reporting suspicious items and cooperating with temporary restrictions to minimise risk and disruption.
