The City of Edinburgh Council is urging drivers to avoid the city centre's western approach road because of emergency road works this evening.

Engineers from the Council are carrying out repairs on two holes which appeared early this afternoon.

Traffic restrictions are in place and local transport companies have been notified.

There are two significant holes, one on the eastbound lane and one on the westbound. Engineers hope to be able to reopen the westbound lane, which is completely closed, late this evening.

There is restricted access on the eastbound lane:

• traffic from Murrayfield direction must exit at Morrison link
• traffic can gain eastbound access from Morrison link
• the road is closed at Dundee Terrace.

The timing of traffic signals in the area is being adjusted to help with the flow of vehicles.

The situation developed around 1pm this afternoon and was attended immediately by an engineer.

It is too early to speculate what may have caused the holes to appear or what further investigations and works will be required.

Western Approach Road now re-opened 5th July 2007