Raith nightmare set to continue this weekend
More of the same for drivers this Saturday and Sunday
Motorists who experienced huge delays around the A725 at Raith and the new underpass at the weekend can expect further delays this Saturday and Sunday.
Drivers found themselves stuck in traffic for hours at the weekend (March 25 and March 26) as contraflows were in operation at the A725 at the Raith roundabout, including the new underpass.
The contraflow was in operation on the A725 between Whistleberry Road, Blantyre, and Orbiston Junction, Bellshill – reducing the A725 to one lane in each direction.
However, motorists were left in gridlock around the Bellziehill roundabout due to the roadworks.
One motorist said: “It was a terrible situation. When you left the A725 there were no signs to say that you would be forced straight onto the one lane that was open in the underpass.
“The traffic was awful going through Bellshill and into Motherwell and all other affected routes.”
Another motorist said: “It took me over two hours to travel a 30-minute journey on Saturday afternoon as the A725 and Raith interchange was gridlocked.
“There was no advance warning that the slip road from the A725 to Bothwell/hamilton was closed on Saturday and I ended up stuck on Bogs Brae to Bellshill and then, again, the road from Bellshill to Uddingston was ground to a halt. It was ridiculous and meant I had to change my Saturday afternoon plans.”
Transport Scotland say a further weekend contraflow will be in place from 8pm on Friday, March 31, to 6am on Monday, April 3. It will be in operation on the A725 between Whistelberry Road, Blantyre, and Orbiston Junction, Bellshill, reducing the A725 to one lane in each direction.
As a result, the A725 northbound Orbiston Junction off-slip and A725 northbound onslip from the M74 southbound/ Raith roundabout will be closed.
Signed diversions will be in place at the A725 northbound Orbiston Junction off-slip via Bellziehill Junction and return A725 southbound Orbiston Junction off-slip; and the A725 northbound on-slip from the M74 southbound/raith roundabout via A725 southbound to Blantyre junction and return A725 Northbound through the A725 Underpass.
Access to Hamilton, Bothwell and the M74 north and southbound carriageways will be restricted with signed diversions via A725 Bellziehill Junction. Access/exit from Strathclyde Park will be maintained.
Transport Scotland say the traffic management is required for gantry foundation works on the A725 northbound East Kilbride Expressway near Bothwell Bridge.
A Transport Scotland spokesman said:“whilst the congestion at the Raith Interchange over the weekend was regrettable, the £500m M8/M73/M74 improvement works are essential for drivers to realise the full benefits of improved journeys through the Raith Interchange, the M74 and the surrounding motorway and trunk road network.
“The weekend works which were planned in advance and subject to consultation with Police Scotland and the local authorities, were advertised in advance on the Traffic Scotland website and variable message signs on our motorway overhead gantries. As always we ask people plan their journeys before setting out, and would like to thank road users for their on-going support and patience.”