• Contraflows in place across three weekends in October

• Motorists warned to plan ahead and expect long delays

Motorists are reminded to plan ahead and expect long delays during major weekend bridge works on the M8 this month.

Transport Scotland’s operating company BEAR Scotland is set to refurbish and re-waterproof the deck on Longacre Bridge, which carries the motorway over Craigens Road between Junctions 5 and 6.

The M8 will be reduced to a single lane in each direction over three weekends during the works. Traffic will be managed under a contraflow system between Junctions 5 and 6 between the hours of 20:30 on Friday to 06:00 on Monday on:

• Friday 11 to Monday 14 October
• Friday 18 to Monday 21 October
• Friday 25 to Monday 28 October.

In addition, the eastbound on-slip at Junction 6 Newhouse will be closed during the same periods, with traffic directed to follow the A73 southbound, the B7066 eastbound and the B7057 northbound, to join the M8 at Junction 5 Shotts Interchange.

David Bishop, BEAR Scotland’s South East Unit Bridges Manager, said: “This project is essential to ensuring that this motorway structure continues to provide a safe and reliable service for years to come.

“We thank motorists for their patience and understanding and recommend that they check the latest travel updates, plan ahead and allow extra travel time for their journeys during these works.”

All work is weather dependent and subject to postponement or cancellation in the event of adverse conditions.

Real time journey information is available from Traffic Scotland on www.trafficscotland.org, or on X at @trafficscotland.