Corstorphine Road Spill Chambers

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Scottish Water have requested that the north side pavement also be closed, having moved the road closure to the north carriageway. They say:

"The reason for this closure is that early trial holes/site investigation works have confirmed existing services are closer to the footpath than initially anticipated at design stage. Safety is of paramount importance to us and, in order to keep members of the public and our workers safe, we most close this section of footpath for the duration of the works. [...] Pedestrians will instead be diverted along Abinger Gardens."

Previously:

[02-05-2025] Scottish Water emailed to say they were planning works to build storm spill chambers beneath the road to prevent sewage getting into the Water of Leith during high water periods. They said:

"Work is due to get underway at the beginning of June 2025 for approximately seven months. During delivery, Corstorphine Road will be reduced to one lane under temporary traffic lights between Ormidale Terrace and Murrayfield Gardens."

They organised a public drop in at the Murrayfield Hotel, 18 Corstorphine Road on Thursday 8 May 2025 between 4pm and 7pm. More information from Scottish Water's website.

[09-05-2025] Scottish Water revealed more plans for their project to build under Corstorphine Road near Ormidale Terrace at the stakeholder briefing (7 May 2025) and the public drop-in (8 May 2025). Plans included: only a single lane of traffic on the A8, controlled by traffic lights, from 8 June until November; buses-only eastbound (other traffic diverting up Murrayfield Road); closure of the bottom of Ormidale Terrace. There remained uncertainty about how road closures would work in practice for access purposes, and about the location of east and west-bound temporary bus stops. The project website is here.

[21-05-2025] A publicity campaign regarding major works on Corstorphine Road between 8 June and November began on 19 May 2025. Plans for an eastbound bus gate were dropped (i.e. other traffic will be permitted eastbound as well). The location of temporary bus stops remained uncertain. What Scottish Water said was:

"Radio adverts and targeted social media posts are running from today for the next four weeks (three weeks before work begins and for the first week of the project) and we are issuing a press release to local media. [...] Corstorphine Road will be reduced to one lane under temporary two-way traffic lights for the duration of the work. There will be no access to Ormidale Terrace from Corstorphine Road. All vehicles will be able to travel eastwards, there will be no bus gate. We are looking at signage to encourage road users to allow residents within the footprint of the traffic management area to enter and exit their driveways. We are liaising with the council and Lothian Buses on the location of temporary bus stops."

[Sources: Scottish Water correspondence; Stakeholder briefing and public meeting]

[Image credit: (c) H Ross]

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