Edinburgh bypass reopens after fatal collision closes road for nearly 18 hours

A woman died after being hit by a van on Edinburgh’s A720 City Bypass, which was closed in both directions while police examined the scene. The closure caused severe disruption across the city, with long diversions and delays affecting motorists, buses and people travelling to the airport.

Emergency services were called to the westbound carriageway near Baberton junction at about 9pm on Wednesday; the 47-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene. The bypass reopened at 2.45pm on Thursday, nearly 18 hours later, and drivers were warned of waits approaching 90 minutes. A 22-year-old man was arrested in connection with a road traffic offence, and Police Scotland is seeking witnesses and dash-cam footage; the road carries an average of 75,113 vehicles a day.