Drivers face M74 chaos

A number of road closures and diversions are set to be put in place on the M74.

Due to essential maintenance which will be carried out on the carriageways, motorists have been updated on the changes which will take place from today (Thursday).

The work is part of a £529,845 scheme which is said to benefit over 26,000 vehicles using the route each day – improving the road’s condition and reducing the need for more extensive maintenance in the future.

The works will take place on the M74 northbound from Junction 10 to Junction 8 between Strathaven Road underbridge and Draffan Road underbridge.

Diversions will be in place up until Tuesday, February 22, with the use of phased traffic management.

The work will be carried out using the following closures and a weekend contraflow:

■Thursday-friday, February 17-18, 8pm-6am – In order to undertake preparatory works for temporary road markings and make safety barrier alterations, a full southbound closure is required between Junction 8 and Junction 10 with a signed diversion in place.

Southbound traffic will exit the M74 at Junction 8 to turn left onto the A71 to Candersidetoll Roundabout.

From the roundabout, vehicles will join the

B7078 (Carlisle Road) heading south to Wellburn Interchange to rejoin the southbound M74 at Junction 10.

During this phase, the northbound carriageway will be reduced to one lane.

An additional localised closure of the northbound carriageway at Junction 10 will also be in place with a minor diversion via the Junction 10 off-slip then immediately returning to the M74 using the Junction 10 on-slip.

Friday, February 18 – Southbound restricted lane running between the hours of 6am and 8pm. Lane one and hard shoulder will run in narrow lanes, lane two closed.

Friday-saturday, February 18-19, 8pm-6am – There will be a full northbound closure between Junction 10 and Junction 8, using the same diversion as above in the opposite direction.

From 6am on Saturday, February 19 to 8pm on Sunday, February 20 – A contraflow utilising one lane north and two lanes south on the M74 will be in operation.

The Junction 10 northbound on slip road will be closed during these times with a local signed diversion in place.

From 8pm on Sunday, February 20, to 6am on Monday, February 21 – To complete the works and remove the contraflow, a full northbound closure between Junction 10 and Junction 8 utilising the northbound diversion.

Monday, February 21 – Southbound restricted lane running between the hours of 6am and 8pm.

Lane one and hard shoulder will run in narrow lanes, lane two closed.

From 8pm on Monday, February 21, to 6am on Tuesday, February 22 – Following completion of all phases, temporary road markings will be reinstated to their existing positions under a full southbound closure between Junction 8 and Junction 10 utilising the southbound diversion route. The northbound carriageway will also be reduced to one lane.

Motorists are advised that all schemes are weather dependent and may be cancelled or rescheduled if weather conditions are not favourable.