Radical plans to permanently close a section of the M8, Scotland’s busiest motorway, in Glasgow has been included in options for the ageing 55-year-old viaducts which carry the road along the northern edge of the city centre, according to The Scotsman.
Under a third option unveiled by Transport Scotland on Wednesday, through traffic on the M8 would be re-routed via the M74 through the south side of the city. The other two options are to either repair or replace the two Woodside viaducts, which carry 150,000 vehicles a day and are undergoing protracted temporary overhauls expected to cost up to £152 million.
Transport Scotland said a “permanent solution” was needed for the structures as a “priority project” because the areas supporting their spans had “deteriorated”, which had triggered the short-term work.
It said the current temporary propping had a limited lifespan, would require maintenance and take up extensive road space below the viaducts, so was “not an effective long-term solution”.
The repairs, which have continued since 2021, should have been completed two years later but have been extended to 2027 because of “previously unknown challenges.” This has narrowed the four-lane carriageways to two in each direction, with the speed limit reduced from 50mph to 40mph.
The Scottish Government agency said the closure option came out of the “assessment of initial strategic options” and it was “only right” that it was included in the public consultation.
The Scotsman understands that closing that section of the M8 is not seen by officials as realistic or feasible because of the major and widespread impact on traffic flows. An industry source said repair was the most likely option.
However, the inclusion of closure among the three options was immediately seized on by campaigners who have sought to have the motorway removed from the centre of Glasgow.
The Replace the M8 group said:
“Looks like option three plus sub options will be developed in detail and tested with all options against short and long term costs, revenue, health, environment.
“Transport Scotland would not build a motorway through town today so option three is serious.”
(Picture: Transport Scotland)
