No through road for Sir Sean Connery tribute

A major new road on the site of Sir Sean Connery's birthplace in Edinburgh has linked two parts of the capital for the first time, reports the Scotsman.

But a developer's bid to name part of its multi-million pound scheme after the James Bond star has been thwarted because the 79-year-old actor is alive and well.

The tree-lined thoroughfare, which will only be open to bikes and pedestrians, has been created as part of the Springside development on what was previously part of the Scottish & Newcastle brewery in Fountainbridge.

It runs past the site of the tenement at 176 Fountainbridge where Sir Sean was born. It was knocked down in the 1960s to make way for a new bottling plant.

The new route, from the Western Approach Road to Fountainbridge, has created a direct link between the Haymarket and Bruntsfield areas for the first time.

Work on the Springside development began almost three years ago but the first homes were not completed until late last year and less than 80 of the 450 planned have been completed. Work on offices and shops earmarked for the 176 Fountainbridge site has yet to begin.

Developers announced plans to pay tribute to Sir Sean four years ago. But naming one of the new streets after him fell foul of council rules banning tributes to living figures.

The council insisted that names of streets reflect the long brewing heritage of the area and Melvin Walk, the name of the new thoroughfare, was suggested to honour Alexander Melvin, one of Edinburgh's most successful brewers in the 19th century.

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