Sheriffhall Roundabout study about to get underway
Edinburgh City Bypass users will welcome news that initial feasibility work at A720 Sherifhall roundabout is set to get underway next month.
Subject to the mandatory standstill period, Transport Scotland will award a £200,000 contract for the work to URS Infrastructure and Environment Ltd.
Transport Minister Keith Brown said:
“This Scottish Government is fully committed to speeding up journeys on our key roads connecting people with education, leisure and employment opportunities while ensuring businesses have reliable routes to markets.
"Sheriffhall roundabout is the only junction on this key road that does not have a flyover junction, leading to lengthy tailbacks, especially at rush hour. The purpose of this initial work is to look at possible junction improvement options and to get a better understanding of the difficult ground conditions in the area.”
Sheriffhall roundabout is a challenging location as a geological fault runs through the roundabout and there are extensive mine workings in the area.
Work will also look at future transport growth in this area, as well as how this fits with other junctions at this part of the A720.
This initial feasibility work should be completed by February 2014.
The early stages of the feasibility process for the Sheriffhall Roundabout will include identifying all feasible options and also concentrating on getting a better understanding of the challenging ground conditions, including the geological fault which runs through the roundabout and the extensive mine workings in the area.