Major M8 diversion to complete ‘missing link’ given thumbs-up

● Road chiefs monitoring impact ● Drivers using alternative routes

through the diversion routes and Transport Scotland thank drivers for taking heed of the communications messaging to avoid the Baillieston area and use alternative transport.”

Drivers using the approach to Junction 8 Baillieston Interchange from the M8/A8 east and westbound and the M73 north and southbound are expected to face delays.

Local roads will also be affected, including the A89 Coatbridge Road, the A752 Langmuir Road, and the A8 Glasgow and Edinburgh roads on the approach to Swinton Roundabout.

The work is part of a wider M8/M73/M74 improvements project.

The spokesman added: “Transport Scotland expect it will take a few days for traffic to fully settle down as drivers become accustomed to the diversion routes and would remind drivers to avoid the Baillieston Interchange. Traffic Scotland’s National Control Centre in South Queensferry is closely monitoring the effect of the diversion and will be assisting in the co-ordination of any necessary response activities throughout the tenweek period.”

Diversions are expected to cope with road disruption during the ten-week period, however, rail services may be busier than usual.

A Scotrail Alliance spokesman said: “Train services around the east of Glasgow and North Lanarkshire and between Edinburgh-glasgow may be busier as a result of the M8 extension works, especially during peak times.

“We ask that everyone checks timetables for train services on these routes and plans ahead if they’re changing normal travel patterns as a result of the roadworks.”

The M8 westbound through Glasgow city centre between junctions 13 and 22, was recently revealed to be the third most congested road in Scotland.

In a report, analysts INRIX found congestion cost Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow a total of £582 million in 2016, and an estimated £2.4 billion across Scotland.

Neil Greig, the policy director of the IAM Roadsmart motoring group, said public transport must become a more attractive alternative to drivers sitting in queues.

0 The works are part of wider M8 improvements