EDINBURGH locals have been left fed up after a major roundabout was partially closed again, causing chaos – less than three weeks after it reopened following major works.
Scottish Water closed a section of the Cameron Toll roundabout overnight from Wednesday for investigations, but it remains blocked off for emergency sewer works.
Traffic was reportedly gridlocked by yesterday afternoon as no traffic controls were in place for the closed section between Lady Road and Dalkeith Road.
Part of the roundabout had previously been closed for 12 weeks for emergency gas works and only reopened to traffic on 8 November.
Scottish Water shared the details of the latest disruption, explaining that a void had likely been discovered underneath the road, requiring it to be shut on safety grounds.
It hopes the road will be reopened in “a matter of a few days” after the sewer is repaired.
Lothian Buses has been forced to divert a number of its services away from the roundabout until further notice.
Drivers who had no choice but to face the chaos encountered delays and heavy traffic, with one man claiming it took him 20 minutes to travel around the roundabout.
Long queues built up into the Cameron Toll shopping centre car park as shoppers tried to exit.
Further comments have appeared on social media from locals fed up with the near-constant disruption.
One expressed concern for the nearby Royal Infirmary, fearing patients would be delayed getting to appointments, staff would have difficulty getting out for home visits and ambulances heading to and from would also face delays.
Local MP and Secretary of State for Scotland, Ian Murray, shared Scottish Water’s latest update to social media yesterday.
It read: “We are carrying out emergency repair work at Cameron Toll in Edinburgh.
“We were alerted to a likely void under the section of the roundabout between Lady Road and Dalkeith Road requiring it to be closed on safety grounds.
“Eastbound traffic is being diverted along the A701 Craigmillar Park to East Preston Street and onto Dalkeith Road.
“We are aware of delays being experienced by road users leaving the shopping centre and we are looking at options to ease the situation as soon as possible.
“We are optimistic once we expose the sewer the repair can be carried out and reinstatement completed in a matter of a few days.
“However, we will only know for certain once we have reached the sewer pipe which is approximately three metres underground.
“We are working as quickly as circumstances and safety allow to carry out the repair and would like to thank everyone affected for their patience and understanding.”
He added his own message: “Thanks everyone for your comments and emails about this. I know the traffic has been mayhem today and I absolutely share your frustration.
“It’s almost unbelievable that this has happened so soon after the previous works. I’m in touch with Scottish Water and will keep you updated as the situation progresses.”
His post has attracted a slew of comments from hacked-off locals keen to share their thoughts.
One said: “This is a frigging (sic) joke. Could they ask Scottish Power to join the party or…? They’ll be next.
“I reckon (I live in Cameron Toll Gardens) we have had access to the roundabout for about three months out of 11.”
A second commented: “Thanks for keeping us informed, it’s farcical that it will be closed again.”
Another wrote: “Here’s an idea Ian, see the company that leaves faults behind like this and causes so much disruption with their sub-standard work.
“Either make them go back and repair for free or don’t employ them to do it again.”
A fourth added: “Thanks for getting on to this. I am sure all the Ambulance Service staff’s hearts dropped today when the road works came back.
“The roundabout is between the main [ambulance] station and the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh so absolutely vital to them, as well as everyone trying to access [the] RIE (and everywhere else).
“It’s just not acceptable that so many problems are coming together – can’t help thinking it indicates the structures have not been planned or installed correctly from the outset.”
