A major road in Gorgie will be partly closed for three months this summer as work begins on a £1.3million project to renew a rail bridge

Network Rail will begin work to renovate the bridge over Westfield Road in August and is scheduled to reopen in early October.

The bridge carries the railway over the road and is a well-used part of the rail network. Work will include renewing the timber deck, repairing steelwork and touching up paintwork.

The upgrade will “strengthen the bridge, extend its lifespan and help ensure the railway continues to operate smoothly”.

To carry out this work safely, a series of overnight lane closures will be in place on Westfield Road between 8 August and 9 October. When the project reaches its most intensive stage, a full road closure will be in place from 8-18 September. A section of the railway, mainly used by freight services, will also close between 11-14 September. 

Network Rail said it is “working closely with the City of Edinburgh Council, local businesses, and other partners to reduce any impact of the work, taking into account events at nearby Murrayfield Stadium.”

People are being encouraged to plan ahead and allow extra time when travelling through the area.  

Owen Ferry, project manager at Network Rail, said: “Projects like this are a vital part of how we look after Scotland’s railway. The bridge over Westfield Road plays an important role in keeping trains moving safely across Edinburgh, and continued investment helps ensure the network can support communities for the long term. 

“By carrying out this work now, we can extend the life of the bridge and reduce the risk of more significant and disruptive interventions in the future. We know this will cause some temporary inconvenience, and we’re grateful for everyone’s patience while we complete these improvements.”