Teenage cyclist knocked down and killed at Dalmeny junction

A TEENAGE cyclist has been killed in a horror crash at a junction on the outskirts of the city.

Police at the scene on Burnshot Road in Dalmeny where a cyclist was killed. Picture: Ian Georgeson

The 18-year-old man from West Lothian died after the accident involving a silver Land Rover yesterday morning between Dalmeny and Kirkliston.

Police are appealing for any witnesses to the crash at the junction of Standingstane Road, which connects to the National Cycle Network, and is a popular route for cyclists.

The road was cordoned off for much of the day while officers carried out investigations at the scene.

Sergeant Kosmas Papakyriakou, from Edinburgh Road Policing unit, said: “We’re currently carrying out inquiries into the circumstances that led up to this collision and I’d ask anyone who saw this incident to please contact police immediately if they have not already done so.

“I also wish to thank the public for their patience and cooperation while we carry out our inquiries.”

Alastair Shields, independent councillor for the ward, said the nearby roads were “narrow and hilly” with a “few blind areas”.

He added: “This area is well-used by cyclists and cars but this is the first time I have heard of anything like this happening here.”

But one cyclist, who uses the route regularly, described the junction as “very dangerous”.

“This is a really common route for cyclists because of the long wide stretch of road by the airport,” he said.

“However, there are also sharp, blind corners and cars come flying along from the bridge on the Kirkliston side.

“There is not much time to react if you’re pulling out of the Standingstane/Burnshot junction and it has always felt very dangerous.”

The road was partially closed from the south of Dalmeny Street through to the junction, as was part of Burnshot Road through to Kirkliston while police investigate the incident.

Alex Cole-Hamilton, Liberal Democrat MSP for Edinburgh Western, said his thoughts were with the cyclist’s family and stressed that more needed to be done to improve safety on the region’s roads. He said: “This is an area of outstanding natural beauty and so is popular with cyclists both commuting and riding for pleasure. This incident underscores the fact we need to promote cycling in Edinburgh Western by enhancing our cycle pathway network.

“If we truly make this a cycle-friendly area we need to build awareness amongst motorists using this stretch of road.

“Every year cyclists are killed across Edinburgh and the city needs to get serious about an integrated travel infrastructure that is safe for people to walk and cycle.”

A police spokesman said: “We are appealing for witnesses following a fatal road traffic collision on a rural road between Dalmeny and Kirkliston on Monday, June 6.

“The incident happened on Standingstane Road at its junction with Burnshot Road at around 10.30am

“A silver Land Rover Discovery travelling from Kirkliston on Burnshot Road was involved in a collision with a cyclist who was travelling from the Dalmeny direction. Sadly, as a result, the 18-year-old male cyclist was pronounced dead at the scene.”

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