THE M74 extension has dramatically reduced vehicle congestion on Glasgow's motorway system.

Statistics obtained by a city MSP reveal up to 20,000 fewer vehicles are using the M8 between Charing Cross and Baillieston.

It also shows that the number of drivers crossing the Kingston Bridge has been cut by 11,000 a day.

The extension was built at a cost of £445million to tackle major daily snarl ups on the M8, especially over the Kingston Bridge.

Companies had complained that constant delays meant goods were delayed in getting to the market.

The new five-mile stretch of road which bypasses the bridge opened in June, 2011, eight months ahead of schedule and £20million under budget.

Figures released by Holyrood in response to a question raised in the Scottish Parliament by Glasgow Shettleston SNP MSP John Mason reveals the major impact made by the extension.

Statistics show a decrease of more than 18,000 vehicles a day on the M8 between Charing Cross and Baillieston.

It has led to less congestion and quicker journeys for those who still use the motorway.

Mr Mason said: "These statistics show that the M74 extension has been a major success, not only in terms of it being delivered ahead of schedule and under budget but also in cutting journey times.

"It has taken a bit of time for drivers to start using the M74 but these figures show that the extension has reduced the number of cars clogging up the M8.

"A number of M8 junctions are now easier to get onto for East End residents who, in the past, would have queued up for ages because of the slow traffic flow.

"And it's not just motorways that the Scottish Government is investing in.

"As someone who regularly uses the Airdrie-Bathgate rail link to get to Parliament, I can see that being well used as folk commute to West Lothian and Edinburgh."