Local transport routes

As a gateway to Edinburgh, the areas of Newbridge and Ratho Station sit at the heart of Scotland’s most vital transport corridors. Whether you are commuting into the city centre, heading west to Glasgow, or flying from the airport, our villages are relatively well connected.

Car: The Motorway Hub

Newbridge and Ratho Station are defined by their proximity to the Newbridge Roundabout, one of the busiest road interchanges in the country. This junction connects several critical routes:

• M8 Motorway: The primary artery connecting Edinburgh to Glasgow.

• M9 Motorway: The gateway to Stirling, Perth, and the Highlands.

• A8 (Glasgow Road): The main link into Edinburgh city center and the airport.

• A89: An alternative route to Broxburn and West Lothian.

Pinch Points & Disruptions: The Newbridge Roundabout remains a significant “pinch point,” particularly during morning and evening rush hours when traffic from the M8 and M9 merges with local airport traffic.

Current Alert (April 2026): Roadworks related to the Redheughs Village construction are currently causing lane restrictions near the RBS roundabout. Additionally, bridge inspections on Harvest Road (M8 bridge) have introduced overnight temporary traffic signals, impacting local through-traffic between Newbridge and Ratho.

Bus: Extensive Connectivity

The area is served by a high density of bus routes, primarily operated by Lothian Country and McGill’s (Midland Bluebird). In 2024, several local routes were overhauled to improve connections between west Edinburgh suburbs and the city.

Key Routes (2026 Status). Click on each of the routes to see their live status on BusTimes.org

• 70 (Lothian Country): Connects Hermiston Park & Ride to the Gyle Centre via Ratho Station.

• 71 (Lothian Country): Links Queensferry and The Gyle via Newbridge.

• X18 (Lothian Country Buses): An express service from Whitburn to Edinburgh city centre via Newbridge and Ratho Station. (Night Route: N18)

• X19 (Lothian Country Buses): Connects the new Winchburgh development to Edinburgh via Newbridge.

• X38 (Midland Bluebird): A route connecting Falkirk with Edinburgh, passing through Linlithgow, Winchburgh, Kirkliston, Newbridge, and passing above Ratho Station.
  
  
• X39 (Midland Bluebird): Connects Livingston with Lochend, via Broxburn, Newbridge, and passing above Ratho Station.

• 747 (Stagecoach): The “Airport Express” connecting Halbeath Park and Ride in Fife to Edinburgh Airport, with a stop at Ratho Station.

• 900 (Scottish Citylink): The Edinburgh to Glasgow route, stopping north of Ratho Station on Glasgow Road.
• 909 (Scottish Citylink): Routing from Edinburgh to Dunblane, passing north of Ratho Station.
• AIR (Scottish Citylink): Connects Glasgow with Edinburgh Airport.
• E4 (Ember): Connects Edinburgh and Fort William, passing Ratho Station and going via Edinburgh Airport.

Tram: The Westward Extension

The closest tram connection is at Ingliston Park & Ride. Visit the Edinburgh Trams website to plan your route.

Edinburgh Tram’s west-most stop is Edinburgh Airport, but plans for further expansion are active.

As part of the City Plan 2030, a “Phase 3” extension has been proposed. This route would create a branch from the Ingliston stop, traveling west toward Newbridge Roundabout. While funding remains the primary barrier to completion, the route is officially safeguarded to ensure Newbridge remains a future candidate for light rail integration.

Cycle & Walking Routes: Active Travel

For those preferring a slower pace, the landscape around Ratho Station offers some of the most scenic active travel routes in the Lothians.

• National Cycle Route 754: This traffic-free path follows the Union Canal towpath. It provides a flat, direct route into the heart of Edinburgh (Fountainbridge) to the east, or toward Falkirk to the west.

• The Kirkliston Railway Path: A popular route for walkers and cyclists that utilizes the bed of the former railway line, connecting Newbridge to Kirkliston.

• The Almond Valley Viaduct: A historic landmark with surrounding trails that offer walking routes along the River Almond, connecting to the Huly Hill prehistoric site.

Waterways: The Union Canal

The Union Canal remains a significant transport asset, though its use has shifted from industrial coal transport to leisure and tourism.

• Ratho Marina: Located in the heart of Ratho, the marina is a hub for canal boats and is home to the Edinburgh International Climbing Arena, which was built into the former Ratho Quarry.

• River Almond: While not navigable by large vessels, the river provides a natural corridor for drainage and local wildlife trails, crossing under the canal via the impressive Almond Aqueduct.

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