Edinburgh Road Closed After Crash: Delays Expected 2026

Key Points

• Duddingston Park South in Edinburgh closed between The Jewel and Milton Road following a road traffic collision (RTC).
• Police Scotland attending the scene, with emergency services responding promptly.
• An 18-year-old woman, the pedestrian struck by a car, rushed to hospital for treatment; no other injuries reported.​
• Incident occurred around 2pm on Thursday, 19 February 2026.​
• Edinburgh traffic spokesperson warned motorists to expect delays and noted buses diverted at present.​
• Police investigations ongoing to establish full circumstances.​
• Initial report by Callum McCormack of Edinburgh News (Scotsman publications).​

Edinburgh (Edinburgh Daily News) February 20, 2026 – Motorists in Edinburgh faced significant disruptions after Duddingston Park South was closed between The Jewel and Milton Road due to a road traffic collision involving a car and a pedestrian. Police Scotland attended the scene, confirming an 18-year-old woman was taken to hospital, while an Edinburgh traffic spokesperson urged drivers to allow extra time for journeys amid diversions for buses.

What Caused the Road Closure?

The closure stemmed from a collision reported around 2pm on 19 February 2026 on Duddingston Park South. As detailed in the initial coverage by Callum McCormack of the Edinburgh News (part of Scotsman publications), Duddingston Park South was restricted following an RTC, with police in attendance.

A Police Scotland representative stated:

“At around 2 PM on Thursday, 19 February 2026, we were alerted to an accident involving a vehicle and a pedestrian on Duddingston Park South in Edinburgh. Emergency services responded promptly and the pedestrian, an 18-year-old woman, was taken to the hospital for treatment. There were no other reported injuries. Ongoing inquiries are in progress to clarify the full circumstances.”​

No further details on the vehicle type or exact cause have been released as investigations continue.​

Who Was Involved in the Crash?

The pedestrian involved was an 18-year-old woman from Edinburgh, who was transported to hospital following the incident. Police Scotland confirmed no additional injuries were noted at the scene.​

As reported across multiple outlets mirroring the Yahoo UK News summary, the young woman received medical care, but her current condition remains undisclosed pending further updates from authorities.​

Police have not named the driver or released statements from other parties involved, maintaining focus on the inquiry process.​

What Did Authorities Say?

An Edinburgh traffic spokesperson, via the official @edintravel X account, announced:

“Duddingston Park South is restricted between The Jewel and Milton Road following an RTC. Police are in attendance, please allow for delays. Buses are diverted at present.”​

This statement aligns with the coverage by Callum McCormack in the Edinburgh News, emphasising the need for motorists to anticipate delays.

Police Scotland’s comment, as quoted in reports, underscores their active role: emergency services acted swiftly, with enquiries ongoing.​

How Has Traffic Been Affected?

Motorists were warned to expect delays throughout the affected area, with the closure impacting travel between The Jewel and Milton Road. Duddingston Park South, a key route in the Duddingston area near Holyrood Park, saw restrictions that prompted diversion advice.

Public reactions on social media, including comments from locals like Karen Logan noting “Duddingston Park South” and Louise Rae mentioning being “caught” in traffic, highlighted real-time frustrations.​

Bus services faced diversions, exacerbating disruptions for public transport users reliant on routes through this residential and park-adjacent road.​

What Are the Diversions for Buses and Drivers?

Specific diversion details were not outlined in initial reports, but the Edinburgh traffic spokesperson confirmed buses were diverted at present due to the police attendance and road restriction.​

Drivers were advised to seek alternative routes, avoiding the closed section between The Jewel and Milton Road. Edinburgh Council’s roadworks monitoring and Traffic Scotland’s incident updates recommend checking real-time sources like the Edintravel X account for ongoing changes.

No reopening timeline was provided, as the focus remained on the RTC response and investigation.​

When Did the Incident Occur?

The crash took place at approximately 2pm on Thursday, 19 February 2026, as confirmed by Police Scotland in their official statement.​

This timing, during afternoon rush hours building up, contributed to the rapid warnings issued by traffic authorities via social media shortly thereafter.​

Where Exactly Is the Closure?

Duddingston Park South is closed specifically between The Jewel and Milton Road, a stretch in Edinburgh’s Duddingston neighbourhood near Holyrood Park and Arthur’s Seat.

This location is part of the A6106, known for occasional traffic enforcement measures like red-light cameras, though unrelated to this incident.​

The area’s proximity to parks and residential zones amplifies the impact on local commuters.​

What Is the Latest Update on the Investigation?

Ongoing inquiries by Police Scotland aim to determine the full circumstances of the vehicle-pedestrian collision. No arrests or charges have been mentioned in available reports.​

As per standard procedure in RTCs, officers are likely reviewing dash-cam footage and witness statements, though no public appeals for information have been issued yet in this case.​

Has the Road Reopened?

As of the most recent available information from 20 February 2026, the road remained closed or restricted, with no confirmation of reopening. Motorists should monitor official channels for updates.

Edinburgh Council’s road disruption page and Traffic Scotland’s incident map provide live status, but specific to this event, delays persisted post-incident.

Why Is Duddingston Park South Prone to Such Incidents?

While this RTC appears isolated, the road’s history includes prior safety concerns nearby, such as rockfall risks on Duddingston Low Road in Holyrood Park, leading to access restrictions by Historic Environment Scotland.​

Local traffic calming measures, including a red-light camera on the A6106 Duddingston Park South, indicate recognised enforcement needs, as noted by Councillor Stephen Jenkinson welcoming its activation.​

Recent Edinburgh road incidents, like those on Broughton Street or Cramond Road South, underscore broader traffic challenges in the city, though not directly linked.

What Should Motorists Do Next?

Authorities recommend allowing extra time, following diversion signs, and checking real-time updates from @edintravel or Police Scotland. Avoiding the area remains the safest option during restrictions.​

Public transport users should consult Lothian Buses for rerouted services affected by the closure.​

In the event of further developments, Police Scotland will provide statements as inquiries progress.​

Broader Context of Edinburgh Road Safety

Edinburgh has seen multiple RTCs recently, including a fatal crash near Cramond Bridge on 2 February 2026 involving a red Ford Fiesta and a 36-year-old pedestrian woman, where Sergeant Michael Thomson appealed for dash-cam footage.​

Other incidents include three police officers hospitalised after a Broughton Street collision on 24 October 2025, with minor injuries reported, and a critical passenger case on Drumbrae Terrace in October 2025, where Sgt. Grant Hastie sought CCTV evidence.

A 50-year-old man died in a single-vehicle crash on Cramond Road South on 4 September 2025, prompting witness appeals from Sgt. Paul Ewing.

These events highlight ongoing road policing efforts by Police Scotland’s Road Policing East unit amid busy urban traffic.​

Council initiatives, like Traffic Regulation Orders (TRO/24/14) for footway parking in Duddingston wards, aim to enhance safety, as discussed in sub-committee reports by Dave Sinclair.