RESURFACING AND BRIDGE WORKS ON THE A720 WESTBOUND

July 2, 2025

UPDATE 21 July 2025:

The works at A720 Sheriffhall to Gilmerton (detailed below) have unfortunately taken longer than originally planned.   The surfacing contractor has advised that an additional shift will be required complete the job safely. As a result, these works are now scheduled to conclude on the night of Tuesday 22nd July.

 

This means that these works are on at the same time as other planned works on the A720 City Bypass at the Water of Leith Bridge.

Unfortunately, we are not able to avoid the overlap. However, we have sought to minimise disruption to the public by ensuring that the works at Sherifhall don’t start till 22.30 when traffic volumes are relatively low. There will also be additional signage in place to help those seeking to use this route overnight.

 

BEAR apologises for the impact that having two sets of closures on this route may cause.

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Overnight works commence Friday 11 July 2025

A four-week programme of overnight works to renew the road surface and replace bridge joints on sections of the A720 Edinburgh City Bypass is set to begin on Friday 11 July.

Transport Scotland’s operating company BEAR Scotland will carry out the improvements between 20:30 and 06:00 on Monday to Friday nights, beginning on the night of Friday 11 July and concluding on the night of Friday 8 August.

The works will take place in two phases, with westbound carriageway closures in place for the safety of workers and road users:

  • On weekday nights from Friday 11 July to Monday 22 July, the westbound A720 will be closed between Sheriffhall and Lasswade. The start time on Friday 11 July will be 21:00 to avoid delaying traffic from the Scottish Open. A diversion route suitable for trunk road traffic will be signposted from via the A7, A772, Gilmerton Station Road, Lasswade Road and Lang Loan, rejoining the A720 at the Straiton Junction. This will add an estimated 1 mile and 6 minutes to affected journeys.
  • On weekday nights from Tuesday 22 July to Wednesday 31 July, and Monday 4 August to Friday 8 August, the westbound A720 will be closed between Dreghorn and Calder. A diversion route will be signposted via the B701 (Redford Road, Colinton Road, Westerhailes Road) and the A71 (Calder Road) before rejoining the A720 at Calder Junction. This will add an estimated 0.5 miles and 8 minutes to affected journeys

Consultation has taken place with relevant stakeholders in advance of these works to make them aware of the traffic management arrangements and to minimise any inconvenience.

Tommy Deans, BEAR Scotland’s South East Network Manager, said: “It is essential for safety that we close the carriageway while these works take place, however we’ll do this overnight and we’re coordinating bridge works with resurfacing to minimise overall disruption.

“Surfacing improvements and bridge joint replacements will address and repair defects in the road surface and ensure the continued safe and reliable operation of the city bypass.

“We thank road users in advance for their patience and cooperation.”

Live traffic information is available from the Traffic Scotland website www.traffic.gov.scot and on X at @trafficscotland.

All work are weather dependent and subject to postponement or cancellation in the event of adverse conditions.

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