News on works will be on Twitter

MASSIVE roadworks will cause "unavoidable delays" on Scotland's busiest motorway from tonight, transport chiefs have warned.

A £1.15million project to rebuild the east and westbound carriageway of the M8 between the Kingston Bridge and Plantation starts tonight and is expected to last for three weeks.

This section of the M8 is used by 130,000 vehicles every day and the relentless traffic has worn the surface of the east and westbound carriageways.

Now Amey, working on behalf of Transport Scotland, will resurface this stretch of the network to ensure it operates safely for years to come.

The work is scheduled for weekends and overnights only, which are generally quieter on the network, but Amey says delays will be unavoidable and drivers should observe the 40mph speed limit to ensure the safety of both drivers and the operational staff on-site during the works.

Drivers heading to the airport and other destinations are being warned to leave extra time for their journeys during the roadworks.

Road users can keep up to date with the the works via twitter - www.twitter.com/AmeySouthWest, which Amey hope will allow drivers to make informed decisions about journey planning.

Traditionally, the first commuter-day of works is the worst for delays before road users find alternative routes and modes of transport, and Amey is appealing to road users to plan journeys in advance.

Colin Mackenzie, unit manager for Amey, which has designed and will manage the project, said: "This section of the M8 is known as the busiest section of motorway in Scotland. With so many vehicles using it on a daily basis it has become worn and now needs to be rebuilt.

"The works are quite intricate and we have programmed these to take place overnight and at weekends to minimise congestion as much as possible.

"However, delays are anticipated so we would advise all road users to consider their travel plans with the works in mind."

More information on the scheme and updates on lane closures and other traffic management measures during the works are available from the Traffic Scotland website at www.trafficscotland.org

Urging drivers to take care through the roadworks, an Amey spokesman said: "Speeding vehicles are a serious threat to staff. Concentrate on the road ahead, not the roadworks. Be alert for roadworks traffic and personnel leaving or entering the safety managed roadworks site. Keep a safe distance - there could be queues in front.

"Observe all signs - they are there to help you.Get into the correct lane in good time - don't keep switching."

Andrew Howard, head of road safety at the AA, backed that message up with advice that drivers must keep calm and think about road safety.

Mr Howard said: "It's one of these situations where the work has to be done.

"There are times when you can and cannot do this. The work needs to be done before we get to the time of year when there's a serious risk of things freezing.

"The authorities will be doing their level best to get the work done as quickly as possible. We would hope that there will be no un-necessary closures, and for drivers so much of this will be about keeping calm and going with the flow.

"As always, keep planning ahead and leaving extra time for your journey, and all the usual safety advice applies."

This is the third phase of works to take place on this section of the M8 since August 2006.

The reconstruction works from the M8 Junction 24 at Helen Street to the M77 Eastbound Carriageway reconstruction works took place over six weeks during July to August 2006.

Westbound carriageway reconstruction works were completed in 2007 on the M8 between Junction 22 Plantation and Junction 25 Clyde Tunnel.

Both phases coincided with the first day of school holidays.

The work on the M8 comes after extensive work on the M74 link project caused disruption on the M8 at Kingston Bridge.

That programme saw four massive beams lifted into place to carry the M74 over the M8 near the Kingston Bridge.

The last one was slotted home over the westbound carriageway of the M8 over Carnoustie Street in August.

The delicate operation was carried out under partial-closure of the M8 and required months of planning including the delivery of the largest mobile crane in Europe to lift the beams in to place.