As part of Transport Scotland’s strategic trunk road management programme, Scotland TranServ will carry out overnight concrete repairs to the Charing Cross Podium and Bath Street overbridge.

The essential works are to protect the ongoing integrity of these structures, in what is one of the busiest stretches of the south west Scotland trunk road network. The works will follow strict physical distancing protocols in line with the Scottish Government’s COVID-19 guidance. In association with Transport Scotland, we have identified these projects as essential maintenance schemes, vital to maintaining the integrity and safety of the trunk road network.

Brian Laurie, Scotland TranServ’s Network Bridges Manager said:

“This essential programme of work has been scheduled for overnight working in order to reduce disruption to those drivers using this important part of our network. Our roads are becoming steadily busier, and therefore it is more important than ever that where possible we minimise the impact of our work on communities and businesses, trying to recover at this time.

“Across our workforce and those of our contractors and suppliers, many new working practices have been implemented across our own workforce and those of our contractors and suppliers as we work towards the future delivery of our Network Maintenance and other programmes. Thorough risk assessments have been carried out as we take a lead in the delivery of trunk road maintenance.

“Together with Transport Scotland, Scotland TranServ would like to take this opportunity to thank drivers for making only essential journeys over the last few months, and for playing their part in protecting the country’s key workers.”

In order to complete these works as quickly and safely as possible, it will be necessary to implement the overnight closures of the M8 westbound from junction 18 to junction 19 and an offside closure of the eastbound carriageway at both structures during the following times:

• 10pm on Friday 24^th until 6am on Saturday 25^th of July
• 10pm on Saturday 25^th until 6am on Sunday 26^th of July
• 10pm on Sunday 26^th until 6am on Monday 27^th of July
• 10pm on Monday 27^th until 6am on Tuesday 28^th of July
• 10pm on Tuesday 28^th until 6am on Wednesday 29^th of July

Local diversions will be in place throughout these overnight closures. However, special arrangements have been made for the emergency services. Traffic management will only be implemented once vehicle volumes are sufficiently low. Drivers are advised to allow some additional time for the journeys through the diversion route.

Motorists can find live trunk road information by visiting trafficscotland.org or by following @trafficscotland on Twitter.