SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE

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A720 EDINBURGH CITY BYPASS: PHASE 2

TRANSPORT AND PLANNING GROUP
April 2000

WATER OF LEITH BRIDGE TO DREGHORN MAJOR MAINTENANCE

Introduction

The A720 Edinburgh City Bypass was constructed and opened to traffic in sections between 1981 and 1990. The Colinton section, which was the first to be built, carries very high volumes of traffic (some 70,000 vehicles per day) and the road pavement has now reached the end of its useful life. Major maintenance works are therefore required and The Scottish Executive has recently awarded a £5 million contract to Barr Limited to undertake the work. The contract is due to commence on 10th April and be completed in 26 weeks. The works will extend from the Water of Leith Bridge to immediately west of Dreghorn Junction (see map).

The Bypass will remain open to traffic at all times during the works but there will be lane and junction restrictions for limited periods. Current information relating to the restrictions in force on the Bypass and the actual delays will be made available to the public via the local press and radio, AA Roadwatch and the Variable Message Signs situated on the A720 and the surrounding road network.

The Works

As part of the works some improvements will be undertaken concurrently as follows:-

• The addition of hard shoulders and hardstrips at the edge of each carriageway which will provide holding areas for broken down vehicles and better access for emergency vehicles (approximately 20% of all incidents on the Bypass occur on this section). The hardshoulders may also be used as additional running lanes during future maintenance works.

• The addition of a concrete safety barrier in the central reserve.

• Improvements to the bridge piers at Torphin Road and Bonaly Road to meet current standards.

• Additional headroom will be provided under the bridge at Bonaly Road.

• Maintenance works will be carried out to the bridges at Water of Leith, Woodhall Road and Bonaly Burn.

• All permanent works will be undertaken within the existing highway boundary.

• A road surfacing material will be laid which will reduce the level of traffic noise generated.

Traffic Management

Although every effort will be made to minimise the impact of the works on traffic flow, it is anticipated that significant traffic disruption will still result. On the Bypass it is likely that there will be traffic queues and delays on the approaches to the works, with slow moving traffic on other sections of the Bypass. A proportion of current Bypass traffic is likely to transfer to other strategic routes and the local network in south west Edinburgh to avoid the construction works, particularly during peak hours. This is likely to result in greater congestion and delays at junctions on parts of the local road network.

A number of Traffic Management schemes will be in place on the Bypass and a 40 mph mandatory speed limit will be in force. Two lanes, generally of reduced width, will be maintained in both directions for most of the time and at all times in the eastbound direction between 0700 and 1900 hours.

Any lane closures will be kept to the minimum to maintain the safety of the travelling public and site staff. Where lane closures are required the "Merge in Turn" system will be used. This system essentially involves drivers using both lanes until 400 yards from the start of the lane closure and then merging, in turn, into one lane.

It may also be necessary to effect temporary closures on the slip roads at Baberton Junction to carry out the works. Notification of these closures will be sign posted in advance at the junction as will the necessary diversion route.

Local Improvement Measures

A number of improvement measures are being made on the local road network adjacent to the Bypass with the aim of assisting the flow of traffic and the passage of pedestrians during the works. These measures include:

• Temporary traffic signals at the Redford Road/Colinton Road and Redford Road/Oxgangs Road Junction.

• A number of temporary peak period parking restrictions for the duration of the works. The affected areas are: Bridge Road (Colinton), Colinton Road, and Craiglockart Avenue.

• Rephasing of traffic signal settings at Calder Junction and the Wester Hailes Road/Westburn Avenue/Murrayburn Road junction to improve their operation.

• Consideration will also be given to banning the left turn manoeuvre from Lanark Road into Spylaw Avenue. This area will be subject to monitoring initially.

Public Transport

For the duration of the works motorists are encouraged, wherever possible, to make use of public transport, particularly during the peak periods.

The Balerno, Currie, Juniper Green, City Centre route is served by services operated by First Edinburgh and Lothian Buses. Alternatively, parking is available at Curriehill Station and ScotRail operate a number of trains from this station to the City Centre during the morning and evening peak hours.

Car Sharing

Motorists are encouraged to consider car sharing as an option, both during the works and indeed at all other times, as any reduction in overall traffic flow will be to the benefit of all road users.

Further Information

Full information relating to the works will be available to all road users and public transport operators. For information on local public transport and traffic information see the list below:

Local Radio

Forth FM on 97.3, 97.6 and 102.2 MHz
Forth AM on 1548
Radio Scotland on 92.4-94.7 MHz and 810 AM
Scot FM on 100.3 and 101.1 Mhz operated by Lowland

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