Teams face hard times as park’s flooded pitches are unplayable

SPORTS clubs in the Capital have hit out after they were barred from using a flagship Edinburgh park for months because of record rainfall and inadequate drainage.

Bosses at Edinburgh Leisure admitted “unplayable” pitches in Inverleith Park will be closed until the summer, with rugby and cricket teams moved to alternative venues while drainage and flooding problems are fixed. It also emerged that Inverleith Park is among 14 council-owned sites across the city where drainage assessments are being carried out, with 75 per cent of public park bookings cancelled in December because of water damage.

Andy Bernard, vice president of Edinburgh Northern Rugby Football Club, whose members play in Inverleith Park, said: “We’re very disappointed – this is a blow for us.”

He said his players were “pragmatic” about the situation but admitted ongoing access problems could harm Edinburgh Northern’s long-term viability.

“We’ve been lucky in that we’ve been able to play over the road at Broughton High School, but clearly we would rather be at Inverleith Park,” he said. “Playing there is absolutely vital for us.”

Pam Barnes, chair of Friends of Inverleith Park, described the situation as “dire” and said: “This is a real shame for the clubs that play there. I’m sure experts will work out exactly what’s wrong but these things are very expensive and Inverleith Park is not the only place with these problems.”