The M8 is the busiest motorway in Scotland and one of the busiest in the United Kingdom.[1] It connects the country's two largest cities, Glasgow and Edinburgh, and serves other large communities including Airdrie, Coatbridge, Greenock, Livingston and Paisley. The motorway is 60 miles (97 km) long. A major construction project to build the final section between Newhouse and Baillieston was completed on 30 April 2017. The motorway has one service station, Heart of Scotland Services, previously named Harthill due to its proximity to the village.
With the advent of motorway-building in the United Kingdom in the late 1950s, the M8 was planned as one of a core of new motorways, designed to replace the A8 road as a high-capacity alternative for intercity travel. The motorway was constructed piecemeal in several stages bypassing towns, beginning in 1965 with the opening by Minister of State for ScotlandGeorge Willis of the bypass of Harthill. In 1968 the Renfrew Bypass was opened as the A8(M), becoming part of the M8 when the motorway to the west was connected.[2] The Glasgow inner city section was constructed between 1968 and 1972, using a scheme outlined in the Bruce Report, which was published as the Second World War was closing, and which set out a series of initiatives to regenerate the city.[3] Bruce's scheme evolved into what would become the Glasgow Inner Ring Road, a motorway "box" which would encircle the city centre, connected to the Renfrew Bypass at its south western corner, and the Monkland Motorway (built over the former route of the Monkland Canal) towards Edinburgh at its north eastern corner. Together, these three sections of motorway make up the present day M8.
Most of the motorway's length was complete by 1980. Since then, there has been a new interchange with the M80 motorway added in 1992, a 4-mile (6.4 km) eastern extension from Newbridge to the then-new Edinburgh City Bypass in 1995, and the new junction on the approach to the Kingston Bridge in Glasgow connecting to the new M74 extension in 2011.[4] As part of the Scottish Government's 'M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements programme', on which construction began in early 2015,[5] the remaining unfinished section between Baillieston (J8) and Newhouse (J6) was built, alongside other major improvements enhancing connectivity to the local road network, M73, and M74.[6][7] The new section was fully opened on 30 April 2017.[8] On 6 December 2019, the Southbar interchange (J29a) was reopened to facilitate regeneration in the Bishopton area, having been previously closed during the 1970s.[9]
The M8 nominally comprises sections of the international E-road network, namely E05 (Langbank-Baillieston)[11] and E16 (Baillieston-Edinburgh),[12] although neither is signposted – no such roads are in the United Kingdom.
Criticism
This article's Criticism or Controversy section may compromise the article's neutrality by separating out potentially negative information. Please integrate the section's contents into the article as a whole, or rewrite the material.(November 2020)
This stub in the Tradeston area, popularly known as the "ski-ramp", is the abandoned interchange for the southern flank of the Glasgow Inner Ring Road
The central Glasgow section of the M8 is unusual amongst UK motorways (and more similar to many US Interstates) in that it directly bisects an urban city centre, whereas most other motorways bypass such centres. This section is mainly elevated on a concrete viaduct, lowering pollution concentrations but exposing some public spaces, roof terraces and other parts of buildings to noise and shading.[citation needed]
Some slip roads in the Glasgow section unusually enter and exit from the overtaking (right-hand) lane.
The motorway includes one of the busiest river crossings in Europe, Glasgow's Kingston Bridge.
Several incomplete structures were built around the motorway - at least 3 have been demolished or reused from the 1960s dubbed Bridges to Nowhere. A few incomplete structures remain.
The cause of most traffic congestion on the urban section is traffic from the M73 and M80 routes onto the eastern section of M8 which within 2 miles (3.2 km) reduces from five lanes to two on the Kingston Bridge approaches. Prior to the construction of the M74 extension, attempts were made to minimise delays on this section; these included restricting exits around the Kingston Bridge, a ramp metering programme, and expanded use of electronic signing above and beside the motorway as part of the CITRAC (Centrally Integrated TRAffic Control) system.[13][14]
The M8 is also criticised as a barrier to wildlife access (for example the reintroduced beaver) from the north of Scotland to the Southern Uplands.[15]
Problems solved
Successive failed attempts were made to build the southern flank of the Glasgow Inner Ring Road envisaged by the Bruce Report of the late 1940s. The eastern section had been planned to run north/south close to the High Street of Glasgow, through or under Glasgow Green to the southside of the Clyde. Public opinion was strongly against this and the eastern section was shelved, with a much later M74 connecting the far-eastern areas of Glasgow. This section, which is an extension of the M74 was built to a different route, intended to funnel long-distance traffic from the north and south which is bound for the southern Clyde Coast and allow it to bypass the urban section of the M8. Following many years of intensive political discussion and legal battles, the M74 completion began in 2008 and opened in June 2011. Indications are that the new road has been successful in reducing traffic levels on the urban section of the M8.
Junctions
This article contains a bulleted list or table of intersections which should be presented in a properly formatted junction table. Please consult this guideline for information on how to create one. Please improve this article if you can.(December 2021)
Govan, IbroxB768 (only motorists coming from the M74 may use this junction as of September 2011, due to a barrier splitting the 4-lane motorway into 2 segments, with M8 traffic unable to reach the exit slip)
motorway, scotland, busiest, motorway, scotland, busiest, united, kingdom, connects, country, largest, cities, glasgow, edinburgh, serves, other, large, communities, including, airdrie, coatbridge, greenock, livingston, paisley, motorway, miles, long, major, c. The M8 is the busiest motorway in Scotland and one of the busiest in the United Kingdom 1 It connects the country s two largest cities Glasgow and Edinburgh and serves other large communities including Airdrie Coatbridge Greenock Livingston and Paisley The motorway is 60 miles 97 km long A major construction project to build the final section between Newhouse and Baillieston was completed on 30 April 2017 The motorway has one service station Heart of Scotland Services previously named Harthill due to its proximity to the village M8Looking north from Charing CrossRoute informationPart of E05 and E16Maintained by Transport ScotlandLength60 3 mi 97 0 km Existed1965 presentHistoryOpened 1965Completed 2017Major junctionsEast endSighthill55 55 28 N 3 18 46 W 55 9244 N 3 3128 W 55 9244 3 3128 M8 motorway eastern end Major intersectionsJ2 M9 motorway J8 M73 motorway A8 M motorway J13 M80 motorway J21 M74 motorway J22 M77 motorway J30 M898 motorwayWest endLangbank55 55 24 N 4 33 01 W 55 9234 N 4 5504 W 55 9234 4 5504 M8 motorway western end LocationCountryUnited KingdomConstituent countryScotlandCountiesEdinburgh West Lothian North Lanarkshire Glasgow RenfrewshirePrimarydestinationsEdinburghEdinburgh AirportLivingstonGlasgowPaisleyGlasgow Airport GreenockRoad networkRoads in the United KingdomMotorways A and B road zones M6 Toll M9The M8 south of Broxburn West Lothian Kingston Bridge M8 nearing the west terminus of the motorway at Langbank with views over the Clyde Contents 1 History 2 Route 3 Criticism 4 Problems solved 5 Junctions 6 See also 7 References 8 External linksHistory EditWith the advent of motorway building in the United Kingdom in the late 1950s the M8 was planned as one of a core of new motorways designed to replace the A8 road as a high capacity alternative for intercity travel The motorway was constructed piecemeal in several stages bypassing towns beginning in 1965 with the opening by Minister of State for Scotland George Willis of the bypass of Harthill In 1968 the Renfrew Bypass was opened as the A8 M becoming part of the M8 when the motorway to the west was connected 2 The Glasgow inner city section was constructed between 1968 and 1972 using a scheme outlined in the Bruce Report which was published as the Second World War was closing and which set out a series of initiatives to regenerate the city 3 Bruce s scheme evolved into what would become the Glasgow Inner Ring Road a motorway box which would encircle the city centre connected to the Renfrew Bypass at its south western corner and the Monkland Motorway built over the former route of the Monkland Canal towards Edinburgh at its north eastern corner Together these three sections of motorway make up the present day M8 Most of the motorway s length was complete by 1980 Since then there has been a new interchange with the M80 motorway added in 1992 a 4 mile 6 4 km eastern extension from Newbridge to the then new Edinburgh City Bypass in 1995 and the new junction on the approach to the Kingston Bridge in Glasgow connecting to the new M74 extension in 2011 4 As part of the Scottish Government s M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements programme on which construction began in early 2015 5 the remaining unfinished section between Baillieston J8 and Newhouse J6 was built alongside other major improvements enhancing connectivity to the local road network M73 and M74 6 7 The new section was fully opened on 30 April 2017 8 On 6 December 2019 the Southbar interchange J29a was reopened to facilitate regeneration in the Bishopton area having been previously closed during the 1970s 9 Route Edit Sign at junction 2 From the Edinburgh City Bypass the road runs west to junction with the M9 motorway for the Forth Road Bridge bypassing to the north of Livingston and south of Bathgate It continues across Scotland s Central Belt The next section originally designated the Monkland Motorway begins on the boundary of the City of Glasgow at the M73 motorway junction the main interchange for all routes south via the M74 motorway before passing through the districts of Barlanark Riddrie Dennistoun and Townhead following the route of the abandoned Monkland Canal on the way directly into the city centre The central section the uncompleted Glasgow Inner Ring Road contains numerous junctions serving local communities including Cowcaddens Garnethill Kelvingrove and Anderston It then crosses the River Clyde on the Kingston Bridge runs west through Kinning Park Bellahouston and Hillington before leaving Glasgow Continuing west it bypasses Renfrew and Paisley carrying traffic directly over what was the main runway at Renfrew Airport closed in 1966 before serving Glasgow International Airport running to the south of Erskine and terminating at Langbank around 10 miles 16 km east of Greenock 10 The M8 nominally comprises sections of the international E road network namely E05 Langbank Baillieston 11 and E16 Baillieston Edinburgh 12 although neither is signposted no such roads are in the United Kingdom Criticism EditThis article s Criticism or Controversy section may compromise the article s neutrality by separating out potentially negative information Please integrate the section s contents into the article as a whole or rewrite the material November 2020 This stub in the Tradeston area popularly known as the ski ramp is the abandoned interchange for the southern flank of the Glasgow Inner Ring Road The central Glasgow section of the M8 is unusual amongst UK motorways and more similar to many US Interstates in that it directly bisects an urban city centre whereas most other motorways bypass such centres This section is mainly elevated on a concrete viaduct lowering pollution concentrations but exposing some public spaces roof terraces and other parts of buildings to noise and shading citation needed Some slip roads in the Glasgow section unusually enter and exit from the overtaking right hand lane The motorway includes one of the busiest river crossings in Europe Glasgow s Kingston Bridge Several incomplete structures were built around the motorway at least 3 have been demolished or reused from the 1960s dubbed Bridges to Nowhere A few incomplete structures remain The cause of most traffic congestion on the urban section is traffic from the M73 and M80 routes onto the eastern section of M8 which within 2 miles 3 2 km reduces from five lanes to two on the Kingston Bridge approaches Prior to the construction of the M74 extension attempts were made to minimise delays on this section these included restricting exits around the Kingston Bridge a ramp metering programme and expanded use of electronic signing above and beside the motorway as part of the CITRAC Centrally Integrated TRAffic Control system 13 14 The M8 is also criticised as a barrier to wildlife access for example the reintroduced beaver from the north of Scotland to the Southern Uplands 15 Problems solved EditSuccessive failed attempts were made to build the southern flank of the Glasgow Inner Ring Road envisaged by the Bruce Report of the late 1940s The eastern section had been planned to run north south close to the High Street of Glasgow through or under Glasgow Green to the southside of the Clyde Public opinion was strongly against this and the eastern section was shelved with a much later M74 connecting the far eastern areas of Glasgow This section which is an extension of the M74 was built to a different route intended to funnel long distance traffic from the north and south which is bound for the southern Clyde Coast and allow it to bypass the urban section of the M8 Following many years of intensive political discussion and legal battles the M74 completion began in 2008 and opened in June 2011 Indications are that the new road has been successful in reducing traffic levels on the urban section of the M8 Junctions EditThis article contains a bulleted list or table of intersections which should be presented in a properly formatted junction table Please consult this guideline for information on how to create one Please improve this article if you can December 2021 M8 motorwayEastbound exits Junction Westbound exitsM8 now terminates Edinburgh City Bypass A720 Berwick upon Tweed A1 Edinburgh City Centre A71 J1 Hermiston Gait Start of motorwayEdinburgh Airport Stirling Queensferry Crossing M90 M9 J2 Newbridge Stirling Queensferry Crossing M90 M9Livingston A899 J3 Livingston Livingston A899Bathgate Broxburn Livingston West A779 A89 J3a Bathgate Bathgate Broxburn Livingston West A89 A779Bathgate Whitburn Falkirk A801 J4 Whitburn Bathgate Whitburn Falkirk A801Whitburn Heartlands B7066 J4a Heartlands Whitburn Heartlands B7066 Harthill servicesShotts Harthill Salsburgh B7066 B7057 J5 Harthill Shotts Harthill Salsburgh B7066 B7057No access J6 Newhouse Airdrie Lanark Motherwell Wishaw Eurocentral A723 A73Lanark Wishaw Motherwell Airdrie A8 A73 J6a Chapelhall No accessEurocentral J7 Eurocentral No accessNo access J7a Shawhead Carlisle M74 East Kilbride Bellshill A725Carlisle M74 M73 Coatbridge A89 J8 Ballieston Carlisle M74 Glasgow South Glasgow Airport M73 Glasgow East A8 Stirling Kincardine Bridge M80 Baillieston J9 Easterhouse No accessEasterhouse Barlanark J10 Bartiebeith Easterhouse BailliestonGarthamlock Queenslie B765 J11 Stepps Stepps Queenslie B765Riddrie Stepps A80 J12 Riddrie Riddrie Stepps A80Stirling Kincardine Bridge M80 J13 Provan Blochairn ParkheadBlochairn Dennistoun B763 J14 Fruit Market No accessGlasgow Cathedral Glasgow Cross Kirkintilloch A803 J15 Townhead Glasgow Cathedral Glasgow Cross A803No access J16 Craighall Aberfoyle George Square A81 Dumbarton A82 J17 Great Western Road Dumbarton A82Anderston Charing Cross No exit from main carriageway Glasgow city centre J18 Charing Cross Kelvingrove Charing CrossClydebank S E C C A814No exit from main carriageway J19 Anderston Clydebank S E C C A814No access J20 Kingston Bridge Tradeston East Kilbride A730 Tradeston East Kilbride A8 A730 Carlisle M74 J21 Seaward Street No accessNo access J22 Plantation Kilmarnock Prestwick Airport M77No access J23 Dumbreck Road Govan Ibrox B768 only motorists coming from the M74 may use this junction as of September 2011 due to a barrier splitting the 4 lane motorway into 2 segments with M8 traffic unable to reach the exit slip Govan Kilmarnock M77 A761 J24 Helen Street Paisley Bellahouston A761Clyde Tunnel A739 J25 Cardonald Clyde Tunnel A739No access J25a Braehead BraeheadHillington Braehead A736 J26 Hillington Hillington Renfrew A8 A736Paisley Renfrew A741 J27 Arkleston Paisley Renfrew A741No access J28 Glasgow Airport Glasgow AirportNo access J28a Irvine A737Paisley Glasgow Airport A726 Irvine A737 J29 St James Paisley A726No access J29a Bishopton A8Erskine Erskine Bridge M898 J30 Erskine Erskine Erskine Bridge M898Start of motorway J31 West Ferry Bishopton A8Bishopton A8Non motorway traffic Road becomes A8 towards GreenockSee also EditList of motorways in the United KingdomReferences Edit Department for Transport GOV UK PDF dft gov uk Steven Jukes Pathetic Motorways pathetic org uk Archived from the original on 14 March 2007 Retrieved 8 October 2006 Townhead c 1970 The Glasgow Story M8 motorway construction timeline Archived 9 October 2006 at the Wayback Machine CRBD co uk Keeping communities informed transportscotland gov uk Archived from the original on 17 February 2015 M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements transportscotland gov uk New aerial footage as M8 M73 M74 project nears completion Daily Record 5 January 2017 M8 missing link opens fully to traffic 30 April 2017 via www bbc co uk M8 J29A Southbar Interchange Roads org uk Roads org uk Retrieved 16 December 2019 M8 motorway exit list Archived 9 October 2006 at the Wayback Machine CBRD co uk E05 route descriptor elbruz com E16 route descriptor elbruz com Living in Glasgow CITRAC Glasgow gov uk 25 August 2009 Retrieved 31 December 2011 Traffic Scotland gt Variable Message Signs trafficscotland org https www transport gov scot media 13093 ch9 pdf bare URL PDF External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to M8 motorway Scotland Map all coordinates using OpenStreetMap Download coordinates as KMLRoute map KML file edit help Template Attached KML M8 motorway Scotland KML is from Wikidata Scottish Roads Archive The M8 Motorway CBRD Motorway Database M8 Videos M8 Pathetic Motorways A8 M Renfrew Bypass The Motorway Archive M8 Eastern Scotland Section Western Scotland Section Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title M8 motorway Scotland amp oldid 1117758000, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
