• Four-day contraflow with single lane eastbound 22-25 March 2025

• Weekend contraflow with single lane in both directions 4-7 April 2025

• Motorists advised to plan ahead and expect long delays

Transport Scotland’s operating company BEAR Scotland is warning motorists to plan ahead and expect long delays during a series of major improvement projects planned on the M8 motorway between Glasgow and Edinburgh this spring.

Major resurfacing works at Polkemmet between Junctions 5 and 4A begin on 17 March. A series of overnight carriageway closures will be required, as well as four days from 22 to 25 March when the M8 eastbound will be restricted to a single lane 24 hours a day.

Traffic on the M8 between Junctions 5 and 6 will then be restricted to a single lane in both directions over the weekend of 4 to 7 April, for works to refurbish the eastbound side of a bridge carrying the motorway. Similar works were completed on the westbound side of the bridge in October last year.

Later in the spring, a major project to refurbish the bridge carrying the B792 local road over the M8 between Bathgate and Blackburn will get under way. This will require a variety of traffic restrictions on both the M8 and the B792, including contraflow, lane closures, speed restrictions and overnight carriageway closures over a period of approximately four months.

Tommy Deans, BEAR Scotland’s South East Network Manager, said: “Everyone who uses the M8 needs to be aware of these three major projects commencing in March and April.

“Our advice is to expect long delays during major works, and consider adapting your travel plans.

“We usually carry out disruptive works overnight, however the resurfacing project at Polkemmet will be significantly deeper and more comprehensive than normal, therefore we need to close the carriageway for four continuous days.

“Likewise, closures and restrictions will be essential in order to keep drivers and workers safe during major works at Longacre Bridge and the B792 bridge.

“All of these projects are essential to keep our motorway infrastructure in a safe and reliable condition. By proactively renewing and refurbishing these roads and bridges now, we will reduce the requirement for future closures to carry out reactive maintenance.”

BEAR Scotland is responsible for management and maintenance of the M8 east of Junction 6, Newhouse. Their spring programme of major works on the M8 is as follows:

Drainage improvement works at Polkemmet:

• 24 February to 8 March: Eastbound lane closures between Junctions 5 and 4A from 20:00 until 06:00 each night.

Resurfacing at Polkemmet:

• 17, 18 and 19 March: The eastbound M8 will be closed between Junctions 5 and 4A from 20:00 until 06:00 each night.
• 20 and 21 March: The westbound M8 will be closed between Junctions 4A and 5 from 20:00 until 06:00. Eastbound lane closures will also be in place.
• 22 to 25 March: A contraflow will be in operation 24 hours a day between Junctions 4A and 5, with eastbound traffic restricted to a single lane. Two lanes will remain open westbound.
• 25, 26, 27 and 28 March: The eastbound M8 will be closed between Junctions 5 and 4A from 20:00 until 06:00 each night.

Resurfacing the westbound M8 prior to Junction 3A:

• 31 March to 11 April: The westbound M8 will be closed at Junction 3 from 20:00 until 06:00 on Monday to Friday nights.

Longacre bridge works:

• 4 to 7 April: A weekend contraflow will be in operation between Junctions 5 and 6, with traffic in both directions restricted to a single lane from 20:30 on Friday evening to 06:00 on Monday morning.

B792 bridge works:

• From late spring: Restrictions between Junctions 3A and 4, including contraflow, lane closures, speed restrictions and overnight carriageway closures over a period of approximately four months. Full details will be published when confirmed.

Consultation has been carried out with emergency services and other relevant stakeholders to share information about these projects in advance.

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

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