Drivers face disruption this week as resurfacing work costing more than £100,000 begins on the busy A8.

The repairs on the outskirts of Glasgow begin tonight and traffic will be diverted when sections are shut for four nights.

Workers will carry out essential repairs to a road used by 80,000 vehicles every day.

Transport Scotland says worn stretches must be repaired to protect the safety of drivers. It insists the overnight closures are necessary to protect drivers and workers.

The Chapelhall westbound slip roads will be closed from 9pm tonight until 6am tomorrow.

Drivers wanting to use the exit slip will be diverted to the Shawhead Junction. They will then head east along the A8 before exiting at Chapelhall eastbound.

Drivers wanting to use the westbound on-slip will be diverted to Junction 6 at Newhouse. They will be directed to return west on the A8 to enable them to complete their journey. More repairs on this section will be done on Thursday.

The A8 will also be closed tomorrow and Wednesday between Junction 8 at Baillieston to the Shawhead Junction.

Drivers will be diverted off the M8 at Junction 8 on to the A89, where they will be directed back on to the A8 at Shawhead Junction.

The eastbound on-slip at Baillieston will also be closed and traffic will be diverted west to the A8 junction with the A89 Coatbridge Road before joining the A89 eastbound to the Shawhead Junction.

The repairs, as well as junction upgrades, are costing £112,000 and are to be carried out by Aggregate Industries on behalf of highways maintenance company Bear Scotland.

The works have been planned in consultation with North Lanarkshire Council, Amey Highways and Central Scotland Police.

Ian Stewart, of Bear Scotland, said: "These closures are essential for the safety of the workforce and the travelling public.

"The resurfacing operations have been planned overnight to minimise delays, but we would ask drivers to plan their journeys in advance where possible."

gordon.thomson@ eveningtimes.co.uk