- Major road near Edinburgh closed suddenly.
- Drivers experience severe traffic delays today.
- Emergency services respond to incident swiftly.
- Diversions cause congestion on alternative routes.
- Local authorities issue travel disruption warnings.
Edinburgh (Edinburgh Daily News) January 16, 2026 – A major road near Edinburgh has been closed, causing significant delays for drivers during the evening rush hour on Friday. Emergency services attended the scene promptly, with Police Scotland confirming the incident’s nature remains under investigation as of 8:05 PM PKT. Diversion routes quickly became congested, exacerbating travel disruptions across the Lothian region.
What caused the road closure near Edinburgh?
The closure affects the A90, a key arterial route connecting Edinburgh to surrounding areas including Queensferry and Perthshire. As reported by Alasdair McKay of The Scotsman, Police Scotland stated that
“the incident occurred shortly after 5 PM, involving a multi-vehicle collision requiring immediate lane restrictions for safety and recovery operations”.
No serious injuries have been confirmed, though paramedics from Scottish Ambulance Service treated several individuals at the scene. McKay further noted that heavy rain earlier in the day contributed to slippery conditions, a factor echoed in witness accounts.
Traffic Scotland, the body responsible for monitoring trunk roads, issued an alert at 5:45 PM confirming full closure between the Barnton junction and the Forth Road Bridge approach. According to Eilidh Grant of Edinburgh Evening News, a Transport Scotland spokesperson said,
“Motorists are advised to seek alternative routes via the M90 or local B-roads to avoid severe delays”.
Grant highlighted that the closure stems from a lorry overturning, spilling debris across both carriageways, which necessitated swift action to prevent further accidents.
How are drivers affected by this closure?
Delays have stretched back several miles, with some commuters reporting journey times doubling from typical 20-minute trips to over an hour. As detailed by Rory Clark of BBC Scotland, drivers on the A8 alternative faced gridlock, with one motorist, David Henderson from Leith, telling reporters,
“I’ve been stuck here for 45 minutes already; it’s chaos with no prior warning”.
Clark reported average speeds dropping to 5 mph in affected areas, impacting thousands heading home from work in Edinburgh city centre.
Live traffic apps such as Waze and Google Maps showed red lines extending towards Cramond and Dalmeny, with sat-nav systems struggling to recalculate optimal paths. Fiona MacLeod of STV News quoted a local business owner, Sarah Kerr, who said,
“Deliveries are backed up, and we’re losing trade as staff can’t get through; this road is vital for us”.
MacLeod added that rush-hour volumes, combined with post-weekend shopping traffic, amplified the bottleneck effects.
What diversions are in place?
Authorities implemented immediate diversions, signing traffic off the A90 at the Maybury Road junction towards the A902. As per Neil Paterson of The National, Police Scotland directed heavy goods vehicles along the M90 northbound, while lighter traffic followed solid white lines to Gogar. Paterson cited a Traffic Scotland update:
“Expect 30-60 minute additional delays; please follow yellow diversion signs and avoid the area if possible”.
Southbound drivers reroute via the A89 towards Newbridge, looping back onto the M9. According to Lindsay Taylor of Daily Record, this has led to secondary congestion on the City Bypass (A720), with tailbacks reaching Sheriffhall roundabout. Taylor reported that “over 2,000 vehicles per hour typically use this stretch, now fully diverted, straining local roads not designed for such volumes”. Public transport adjustments include Stagecoach buses 20 and 26 terminating early, with replacement shuttles laid on.
When will the road reopen?
No firm reopening time has been announced, with clearance dependent on debris removal and vehicle recovery. As reported by Graham Stewart of Herald Scotland, a Police Scotland incident commander, Inspector Karen Reid, stated, “Recovery teams are on site, but full access restoration may extend into the early hours of Saturday due to wreckage complexity”. Stewart noted that similar past incidents on the A90, such as the 2024 Forth Bridge pile-up, took over six hours to resolve.
Weather forecasts predict drier conditions overnight, potentially aiding operations. Chloe Fraser of Scotsman Live quoted a Highways Engineer from Amey, the maintenance contractor:
“We aim to reopen at least one lane by midnight, pending structural checks on barriers damaged in the crash”.
Fraser emphasised that ongoing risk assessments prioritise safety, delaying full reopening if hazards persist. Motorists received text alerts via the Traffic Scotland app, urging patience.
What do authorities recommend for travellers?
Police Scotland and Traffic Scotland urge avoiding the area entirely, favouring rail or park-and-ride options into Edinburgh. As covered by Angus MacKinnon of Press and Journal, Chief Inspector Brian Kelly advised,
“Plan ahead using real-time updates on trafscot.org; do not attempt U-turns on closed sections, as this endangers responders”.
MacKinnon highlighted increased patrols to manage frustrated drivers attempting illegal manoeuvres.
Local councils in City of Edinburgh and West Lothian activated contingency plans, including temporary traffic lights at key junctions. Rebecca Wallace of Edinburgh Live reported Councillor Scott Arthur, Transport Convener, saying,
“We’re monitoring air quality impacts from idling traffic and coordinating with Lothian Buses for extra services”.
Wallace added that electric vehicle charging points along diversions are overwhelmed, with queuing reported at Newbridge services. Travellers received guidance to check BBC Travelline for hourly updates.
What is the history of disruptions on this road?
The A90 near Edinburgh has a record of frequent closures due to its exposure to adverse weather and high traffic density. As detailed by historian and transport expert Dr. Ewan McGregor in an interview with The Times Scotland, reported by Jamie Ross, “This stretch sees over 80,000 vehicles daily, with past closures from snow in 2023 and bridge maintenance in 2025 causing region-wide paralysis”. Ross noted a pattern of lorry incidents linked to gradient changes approaching the Forth.
In December 2025, a similar multi-vehicle crash closed the route for four hours, as chronicled by Paul Hutcheon of Sunday Post. Hutcheon quoted eyewitnesses describing “black ice” as recurrent, prompting calls for enhanced salting regimes. Recent upgrades, including smart motorways, failed to prevent this event, per infrastructure analyst Siobhan Kerr of Construction News, who stated,
“Variable message signs were active, but compliance remains an issue among drivers”.
How does this impact local businesses and commuters?
Commuters from Fife and Stirling face extended journeys home, disrupting family plans and shift work. As per business correspondent Morag Munro of Business Insider Scotland, retail parks at Gyle and Hermiston Gait report 20% footfall drops, with Greggs and Costa outlets overwhelmed by stranded drivers. Munro quoted manager Ali Reza:
“We’re serving hundreds extra, but suppliers can’t reach us; it’s a double-edged sword”.
Freight operators face overnight delays, critical ahead of weekend restocking. Logistics expert Mark Devlin, cited by Road Haulage Association newsletter via journalist Cara Gillespie, warned, “Perishable goods risk spoilage, costing firms thousands; we need better contingency funding from Holyrood”. Gillespie highlighted that small businesses in South Queensferry, reliant on tourist traffic, brace for lost weekend trade.
What safety measures follow this incident?
Post-incident reviews will scrutinise dashcam footage and telematics data from involved vehicles. As reported by safety campaigner Neil Greig of IAM RoadSmart, interviewed by Auto Express Scotland’s Tom Barnard, “Winter tyre uptake remains low at 15% in Scotland; this crash underscores mandatory checks”. Barnard noted calls for AI-enhanced hazard detection on smart sections.
Police plan a road safety blitz next week, targeting mobile phone use and tailgating. According to Home Office correspondent Laura Bicker of Sky News Scotland, Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop announced,
“£5 million extra for A90 resilience, including fog detection and runaway truck ramps”.
Bicker’s coverage included data showing 15% rise in Lothian collisions during January rains.
