DRIVERS on the M8 are facing disruption next week as work begins on the latest phase of refurbishing overhead gantries.

A wide range of diversions will be in place to ensure the safety of motorists and road workers.

Work will be carried out on M8 overhead signs between junctions 10 and 11 westbound, 11 and 12 westbound, 14 and 15 eastbound and 24 and 25 westbound.

Diversions will be in place each day between 8pm and 6am to allow the latest phase of the £6million scheme to be carried out.

Refurbishment will involve maintenance work to the structural steelwork and upgrading the lighting technology within the gantries.

Scotland TranServ, which will carry out the work, says it will result in a number of long term benefits including energy savings and will help to reduce the increased demands on routine maintenance.

Andy Fraser of Scotland TranServ said: "We have successfully completed the first two phases of this programme and we hope to emulate this during the third round of refurbishments.

"Some of the existing gantries have been in place for over 30 years and this programme will result in significant long term benefits to thousands of motorists using the M8 each day.

"Not only has the signage been improved but also the innovative use of LED lighting will achieve 70% in energy savings per gantry each year ensuring we play a pivotal role in helping Transport Scotland meet its carbon reduction targets for 2020."

On Monday and Tuesday there will be total closure of the M8 westbound at junction 10, closure of junction 10 westbound on slip and the motorway offside lane will be closed eastbound between junctions 11 and 10.

On Wednesday and Thursday the motorway will be closed westbound at junction 11 and the sliproad will also be closed.

On Friday and Saturday a number of sliproads will be closed including junction 18 on slip at Charing Cross, Great Western road eastbound on slip, junction 16 eastbound on slip and West Street eastbound on slip.

The offside lane of the M8 will be closed eastbound and the motorway will be closed in both directions at junction 15, Stirling Road eastbound on slip, Castle Street eastbound on slip and the offside lane will be closed westbound between junctions 13 and 15.

There will be further closures on Sunday October 30 and Monday October 31 including westbound at junction 23, the M8 will be closed westbound at junction 24 as will the westbound on slip and the offside lane will be closed eastbound between junctions 24 and 25.

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