Criticism
The M8, more explicitly the Glasgow section, is unusual amongst UK motorways in that it directly serves (and bisects) a large urban area, whereas most other motorways bypass such conurbations. The central Glasgow section is elevated above much of the surrounding area on a concrete viaduct, including a number of incomplete constructions including several pedestrian overpasses and adjoining arterial roads, and including slip roads that enter and exit in the fast (right-hand) lane. It contains one of the busiest river crossings in Europe at the Kingston Bridge.
There were successive failed attempts to build the southern flank of the Glasgow Inner Ring Road as defined by the Bruce Report. This section of road, which is an extension of the M74, differs in route from the original Bruce proposals of the late 1940s, and was 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, construction of the M74 Completion scheme began in 2008, and it opened in June 2011. Early indications are that the new road has been successful in reducing traffic levels on the urban section of the M8.
At present, traffic from the M73 and M80 is forced onto the eastern section of M8 which within 2 miles (3.2 km) converges from five lanes to two on the Kingston Bridge approaches. The result of this is often long periods of traffic congestion. A number of incentives were undertaken in an attempt to minimise delays on this section; these include 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.
Some segments contain potholes and other deformities such as cracks between lanes and warped or broken asphalt.
In 2007 it was decided by Transport Scotland and the Scottish Government that a new motorway junction should be built at the Heartlands Development Site in Whitburn, where top of the range golf courses and state of the art hotels and houses are to be built. The roads in the Whitburn area in the west end of the town have been changed in 2008 for this new motorway junction and all remains now is for the road to be joined onto the M8 motorway at a new junction called J4a.
Read more about this topic: M8 Motorway (Scotland)
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