REVISED PLAN FOR BRIDGE WORKS AT M8 JUNCTION 2

November 7, 2024

UPDATE 18 November 2024: Bridge works at the M8 Junction 2 westbound off-slip are progressing ahead of schedule, therefore the next phase of overnight slip road closures has been brought forward and will now take place from the night of Monday 25 November to the night of Friday 6 December.


  • Overnight slip road closures 11 to 17 November and from 25 November to 6 December 2024

  • M8 closed between Junctions 1 and 2 on night of 12 November 2024

In a change to previously advertised plans, a series of overnight slip road and carriageway closures will now take place at M8 Junction 2 Claylands, near Ratho, to allow Transport Scotland’s operating company BEAR Scotland to carry out parapet refurbishment works on two bridges carrying the motorway.

The closures, beginning on the night of Monday 11 November, will allow parapets to be removed, refurbished and reinstated on a bridge carrying the M8 motorway and another carrying the slip road exiting the M8 westbound onto the northbound M9.

The revised plan follows a review of how the works can be delivered as safely as possible.

The M8 Junction 2 westbound off-slip to the M9 will be closed between 20:30 and 06:00 on the nights of 11 to 17 November, and from 25 November to 6 December.  A signed diversion for traffic on the M8 westbound wishing to join the M9 will be in place during these closures, directing traffic to continue westbound on the M8 to turn at Junction 3, before returning eastbound on the M8 to exit via the Junction 2 eastbound off-slip. This diversion will add approximately 10 miles and 12 minutes to affected journeys.

The M8 main carriageway will also be closed in both directions between Junctions 1 and 2 from 20:30 until 06:00 on the night of 12 November.  A signed diversion will be in place via the M9, A8 and A720, adding approximately 6 minutes and 2 miles to affected journeys.

The parapets will be taken off-site to be refurbished between 11 November and 22 December.  During this period, the hard shoulders on the main carriageway and the westbound off-slip at M8 Junction 2 will be closed.

David Bishop, BEAR Scotland’s South East Unit Bridges Manager, said: “The safety of road users and our workforce always comes first, therefore we have amended our plans.

“The size of the machinery that will be on site to remove the parapets means full closures of the slip road and the main carriageway are now required.

“We thank motorists in advance for their patience and understanding. We 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.