Bear Scotland Announces Resurfacing And Maintenance Works

Bear Scotland has announced overnight resurfacing and maintenance works are due to begin this week in Edinburgh City and the Forth of Firth Bridge.

Resurfacing works worth £485,000 are to begin on Thursday 12 November on the A720 Edinburgh City Bypass. The works will be carried out over the course of eight nights.

The project will see almost 2.4km of carriageway resurfaced on two sections of the A720: between Sheriffhall Roundabout and Millerhill Junction; and between Lasswade and Gilmerton Junctions.

Overnight roadworks are scheduled each night from the evening of Thursday 12 November until the morning of Saturday 21 November, except for the night of Sunday 15 November, when no work is programmed.

For the safety of roadworkers and the travelling public, the eastbound A720 will be closed during these works between 20:30 and 06:00 on the following nights:

• 12-15 November – between Sherrifhall Roundabout and Millerhill Junction, with a diversion route for eastbound traffic signposted via the A6106 and the B6415

• 16-21 November – between Lasswade Junction and Gilmerton Junction, with a diversion route for eastbound traffic signposted via Lang Loan, Lasswade Road, Gilmerton Station Road, the A772 and the A7.


The A720 will remain open to westbound traffic throughout these works.

Tommy Deans, BEAR Scotland's South East Network Manager, said: "These surfacing improvements will help to address the defects on this section of the A720, creating smoother and safer journeys for motorists.

"We thank road users and the local community in advance for their patience while we carry out this project. We'll do all we can to complete the work as quickly and safely as possible."

Separately, the A985 will be closed in both directions between Kincardine Bridge and Longannet Roundabout from 20:00 until 06:00 on the nights of 10, 11, and 12 November.

This is to allow Transport Scotland's operating company BEAR Scotland to carry out finishing works on approximately 2.1 kilometres of the trunk road that was resurfaced during October. Road markings will be renewed, and new traffic counting equipment and ice sensors will be installed.

A diversion route suitable for trunk road traffic will be signposted between Clackmannanshire Bridge and Cairneyhill Roundabout via the A876 and the A977, adding an estimated 5 minutes and 3.7 miles to affected journeys.

Local access will be maintained during the works, with road users escorted through the site when it is safe to do so. Access for emergency vehicles will be maintained at all times.

Strict physical distancing protocols, in line with Scottish Government guidance, are in place to protect teams and ensure they remain safe on site.

Consultation has been carried out with emergency services and relevant stakeholders to share information about the project in advance.

Tommy Deans, Bear Scotland's South East Network Manager, said: "These finishing works will enhance the safety of motorists using this section of the A985.

"Overnight road closures are essential to ensure the safety of workers and road users, however we've planned the works to take place overnight to minimise disruption.

"We thank motorists in advance for their patience and encourage them to plan ahead by checking the Traffic Scotland website for up to date travel information."

Strict physical distancing protocols, in line with Scottish Government guidance, will be in place to protect teams and ensure they remain safe on site.