WITH tens of thousands of revellers expected to descend on the capital for Hogmanay tonight, the leader of Edinburgh’s city council has promised to “listen to all residents” as tensions grow over the annual event.

Adam McVey also hit out at the the shambolic approach to community relations by organisers, Underbelly.

Earlier this month guidance for those living on the more than dozen streets closed off for the street party warned locals they would need passes to access their own homes – as in previous years.

However, they were also told they would need to limit the number of guests they were allowed in their own homes.

Initial guidelines suggested they would only be allowed six passes. If that was not enough, a “reasonable” number of extras could be applied for.

That’s led to accusations of a “social curfew” being imposed on residents by the private company.

Locals were further incensed over the weekend when the London-based firm removed the city’s main Christmas tree and Nativity scene to make way for the celebrations.

The tree has been gifted to Edinburgh by Hordaland County Council in Norway for the past 33 years.

It follows on from anger over the size of the Christmas market, also run by Underbelly, and from a row over a lack of planning permission for a scaffold structure being built in Princes Street Gardens. Some residents say the blame for the stooshie lies squarely with McVey.

A petition calling for the resignation of the SNP politician has now been signed by over 200 people.

Responding on Twitter, the councillor promised a “city wide conversation in 2020 to help shape future events”.

He added: “There are understandably strong feelings and we have to listen to all residents and respond to meet the challenge.

“Issues with delivery, process, planning, contract management etc of this year’s events are being considered by councillors in Spring.

“Many problems which led to legitimate criticism were avoidable and in some instances simply down to poor communication.

“Residents rights and access to their homes during any event have to be prioritised and properly planned for.

“It is unacceptable that the guidance for residents didn’t accurately reflect this, creating unnecessary confusion. Any changes required to avoid a repeat will be adopted.”

A spokeswoman for Underbelly said: “Edinburgh’s Hogmanay is a major event and we appreciate that it has an inevitable impact on local residents, we’d like to thank them for their ongoing understanding.

“We have never and would never prevent residents and their guests from accessing their homes.”

She added: “Tens of thousands of Edinburgh residents come and enjoy the Hogmanay celebrations and we are excited to share a fantastic line-up with them this year.”