Edinburgh City Bypass crash: Everything we know about A720 crash amid major traffic delays

Edinburgh drivers are being warned of the “worst delays we’ve ever seen” on Thursday morning as the Edinburgh City Bypass remains closed more than 13 hours after a crash.

The A720 has been closed in both directions following a crash on the carriageway near Clovenstone.

The closure is causing major delays and traffic chaos in Edinburgh, with drivers urged to postpone journeys where possible.

Here is everything we know so far about the incident.

There are delays of almost 90 minutes on the A720 City Bypass and knock-on delays on the M8 following a crash near Clovenstone. | Traffic Scotland

Emergency response - has anyone been injured?

Emergency services were called to the scene at around 8.55pm following reports of a crash on the Edinburgh City Bypass near Clovenstone.

The road was closed in both directions between the Dreghorn junction and Hermiston Gait, with drivers having been urged to avoid the area and find alternative routes.

There is currently no information on whether any injuries or casualties were reported in relations to the crash or the number of vehicles involved. Police Scotland and Scottish Ambulance Service have been contacted for comment.

In the latest update issued overnight, Police Scotland said: “Emergency services remain in attendance following a crash on the A720 Edinburgh City Bypass near Clovenstone, which was reported to police around 8.55pm on Wednesday, 11 November, 2026.

Emergency services are still on the scene of a crash which was reported last night on the A720 Edinburgh City Bypass. | Submitted

“The road is closed in both directions between Dreghorn junction and Hermiston Gait and is expected to remain closed for a number of hours.

“Motorists are advised to continue use alternative routes.”

Major delays and traffic chaos

As a result of the ongoing closure, drivers are facing huge queues on and around the City Bypass this morning.

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Edinburgh Travel News updated commuters, saying: “Severe traffic delays across all of the west side of Edinburgh due to ongoing closure of the City Bypass between Dreghorn and Hermiston Gait. We'd advise postponing your journey if you have the option - these may be the worst delays we've ever seen.”

There are knock-on delays on the A720, with Traffic Scotland reporting delays of 88 minutes westbound on the opening portion of the bypass. There are also delays of up to 30 minutes on the M8 eastbound, with Traffic Scotland reporting that the M8 is restricted eastbound at junction one dur a broken down vehicle in the live lane.

Into the city, traffic is particularly heavy in Fairmilehead, Oxgangs, Redford, Craiglockhart, Longstone, Gillespie, Clovenstone, and Wester Hailes, however delays are being felt across all of the west side of the city.

Have buses been affected by the crash?

Lothian Buses also warned passengers to expect delays on services 2, 3, 4, 10, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 25, 30, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 44, 45, 70, 71, 100, X27, X28, X40 and X19.

Do we know when the road is due to reopen?

There is currently no timeline for the reopening of the A720 City Bypass.