The A720 was closed in both directions after the collision on Wednesday night, causing some of the worst traffic delays the city has seen. A 22-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a road traffic offence.
One of Scotland’s busiest roads was closed for nearly 18 hours after a pedestrian was killed on the Edinburgh City Bypass. Police Scotland said the 47-year-old woman was hit by a Citroen Berlingo on the westbound side of the A720, near the Baberton junction, at about 9pm on Wednesday. She was pronounced dead at the scene. The road reopened at 2.45pm on Thursday. A 22-year-old man was arrested in connection with a road traffic offence, and inquiries are continuing.
Police appeal
Sergeant Grant Hastie said: “Our thoughts are with the family of the woman who died and her next of kin are aware. Inquiries are ongoing and we are appealing for information that could assist with our investigation.”
He urged anyone with relevant information or dash-cam footage to get in touch. “We are also asking anyone who saw a woman in the area before the incident to get in touch as you may have vital information that could help,” he said.
Anyone with information should call 101 and quote incident number 3870 of 11 November.
Disruption across the city
Both sides of the bypass were shut while detectives worked at the scene, between the Hermiston Gait interchange and Dreghorn. The route carries a daily average of 75,113 vehicles, according to 2022 figures, and feeds traffic from the M8 to destinations around Edinburgh.
Motorists were forced onto lengthy diversions, and drivers were warned of waits of almost 90 minutes. Tailbacks built up on the M8 into the city and spilled onto the M9. The part of the A720 that stayed open and surrounding roads also saw heavy congestion.
During the morning rush hour, a City of Edinburgh Council social media account advised people to consider “postponing your journey if you have the option”. It said the tailbacks “maybe the worst delays we’ve ever seen”. Lothian Buses reported that dozens of services were affected, and airport passengers were told to allow extra time.
