Project Details

Description

BEAR Scotland has been commissioned by Transport Scotland to carry out resurfacing works on the A720 westbound carriageway. The works will consist of inlays to depths of 40mm, 100mm, and 200mm. The works will also involve the reinstatement of road markings and studs for a length of 1.61km (Approx. 1.29ha).

The construction activities for the resurfacing procedure are as follows:

  • Set up traffic management (TM) and mark out site.
  • Milling of existing bituminous material by road planer.
  • Jackhammer and compressor for breaking up surfaces not accessible by planer (e.g. around gullies).
  • Loader/excavator used to collect and move excess material.
  • Sweeper to collect loose material and provide clean laying surface.
  • Milled out/excavated materials all taken off site.
  • Tack/bond coat laid.
  • Base / binder material laid and compressed by paver (where required).
  • Material compacted using a heavy roller.
  • New bituminous surface course material laid by paver.
  • Material compacted using a heavy roller.
  • Mechanical sweeper to collect loose material.
  • HGV for removal and replacement of material.
  • Road markings and studs applied where necessary (in accordance with the Traffic Signs Manual, Chapter 5).
  • Remove TM and open road.

The works are currently programmed to be completed within 2025/2026 financial year, with works expected to begin on the 11th of July 2025. Works are programmed to be completed over eight nights, excluding weekends (20:30 – 06:00). TM will involve eight night-time full road closures of the A720 westbound carriageway with a signed diversion in place. Traffic will use the following diversion:

  • At Sheriffhall Roundabout, traffic will head south-west on A7.
  • At the roundabout, traffic will take the 3rd exit onto Gilmerton Road/A772 and continue through one roundabout.
  • At the roundabout, traffic will take the 3rd exit and stay on Gilmerton Road/A772 and continue through one roundabout.
  • At the roundabout, traffic will take the 1st exit onto Gilmerton Station Road.
  • At the roundabout, traffic will take the 2nd exit onto Lasswade Road.
  • Traffic will then turn left onto Lang Loan.
  • At Straiton Junction, traffic will then take the 2nd exit onto Straiton Road/A701.
  • Traffic will then use the left lane to turn right to stay on Straiton Road/A701.
  • Traffic will then turn left and rejoin the A720 via the slip road heading towards the Forth Road Bridge/A90/Glasgow/M8/Stirling/M9/Edinburgh West/Edinburgh North/Airport.

Location

The scheme lies on the A720 westbound (WB) carriageway northwest of Dalkeith (Figure 1), within the City of Edinburgh Council and is predominantly bordered by agricultural land.