CONTROVERSIAL rising bollards are to make a return to the Scottish capital next week.

Edinburgh City Council said retractable bollards are to be fitted in George Street to stop cars entering cycle paths set up under a one-year part-pedestrianisation trial on the thoroughfare.

The bollards have been backed by local traders. Nine years ago a similar scheme on the street was abandoned after complaints from business leaders.

A spokesman for the ­council said: "There will be eight bollards, located at the cycle path entrance to each block. They'll prevent all other vehicles from accessing the cycle lane and pedestrianised space, to make those areas safe from dangerous drivers.

"The bollards cost less than £100 each.

"This will come from the city centre programme budget, which is £150,000 across the year.

"The bollards can be dropped by the emergency services as required, using a combination padlock."

Andy Neal, chief ­executive of Essential Edinburgh, which represents 600 city businesses, said the move to introduce bollards came after some drivers were caught trying to enter the cycle lanes.

He said an assessment would be made of the trial scheme after a year.

It comes as figures showed nearly 20,000 more people a week have visited the part-pedestrianised street so far this autumn compared to last year.