Frustrated Edinburgh city bypass motorists have been stuck in ‘hour-long queues’ following a vehicle fire on Thursday morning.
Emergency services rushed to the westbound carriageway near Straiton at around 6.40am on January 9 after a car burst into flames with both lanes closed as a result.
Traffic Scotland has confirmed the incident has triggered significant delays on the A720 with several motorists taking to X to report they have not moved in over an hour.
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One said: “Any new updates yet? Sat here for an hour and moved one car length.” A second replied: “Delay is well over an hour. I’m in between Straiton and Lothianburn.”
A third wrote: “No. The delay is nearly an hour! And still not moving.”
Live traffic images show emergency services and trunk road incident support on the scene between Straiton and Lothianburn with a diversion in place. The nearby Sherifhall and Old Craighall junctions are also seeing significant tailbacks.
The vehicle burst into flames at the side of the carriageway.
(Image: X/Calum Morrison)
Two Scottish Fire and Rescue Service appliances were mobilised to the scene and used hose reels and breathing aparatus to extinguish the blaze as footage from the scene showed the vehicle engulfed in orange flames.
Issuing an update shortly after 8am Traffic Scotland said: “UPDATE 08:15 #A720 – Lothianburn The Westbound carriageway remains CLOSED due to a police incident. Traffic is extremely heavy in the area and tailing back to Old Craighall. There is now a local diversion in place.”
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A spokesperson for the SFRS said: “We received a call at 6.44am to a report of a vehicle well alight on the Edinburgh city bypass westbound between Straiton and Lothianburn.
“Crews from Liberton and Dalkeith are in attendance using hose reels and breathing apparatus to extinguish the fire. There are no reported injuries.”
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A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: “The A720 Edinburgh city bypass is closed westbound at the Straiton junction following a vehicle fire, reported to police around 6.50am on Thursday, 9 January. Road users are advised to avoid the area. There are no reported injuries.”