• Three-week programme of overnight closures commences 1 August 2021

A three-week programme of overnight works to upgrade safety barriers on the M8 at Hermiston Gait is scheduled to begin on Sunday 1 August.

Transport Scotland’s operating company BEAR Scotland will be carrying out the £240,000 works.

For the safety of workers and motorists, the M8 will be closed in both directions at Hermiston Gait from 20:00 until 06:30 each night from 1 to 21 August.

A diversion route for eastbound traffic will be signposted via the slip road onto the A720 Edinburgh City Bypass to Gogar Roundabout. The Calder slip road will remain open for westbound traffic joining the M8, and a westbound diversion will also be signposted via Gogar Roundabout, the A8 and the M9 to join the M8 at Junction 2.

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

Tommy Deans, BEAR Scotland’s South East Network Manager, said: “It’s essential for safety that we close the carriageway while these works are carried out, however we’ve scheduled them overnight to minimise any disruption.

“We’re also co-ordinating these works closely with the ongoing programme of overnight maintenance on the Edinburgh City Bypass, which is programmed to continue until the night of 12 August.

“If you are planning to use the bypass or the M8 at night over the next few weeks, our advice is to check what restrictions will be in place, plan your route and allow extra time for your journey if necessary.

“We thank road users and the local community for their patience and understanding.”

Real time journey information is available from Traffic Scotland on www.trafficscotland.org, twitter at @trafficscotland or the mobile site my.trafficscotland.org. Full details of planned works on the A720 and M8 are available on the BEAR Scotland website www.bearscot.com.