DRIVERS are facing a triple dose of traffic chaos on their journeys in and around Glasgow.

Major roadworks in key locations are causing lengthy delays, particularly at peak commuter times.

Preliminary maintenance work on the Clyde Tunnel began yesterday, and will run until tomorrow, forcing a lane closure in each direction.

From March 31 more work will hit the tunnel again, with that continuing at various times through the summer until August 14.

On top of this, traffic headaches stemming from major roadworks on the M8 at Glasgow Airport are having a knock-on effect on Paisley and Renfrew's congested town centres.

The problem has been so severe in the past week that Renfrewshire Council has been forced to extend the hours its staff spend monitoring the local road network in an attempt to fight the queues.

Most traffic lights in Paisley and Renfrew town centres are connected to a computer system controlled by council staff based at Renfrewshire House in Paisley.

Staff are monitoring cameras at key junctions in both town centres and adjusting signals to accommodate the build-up of traffic.

But while they have been working from 7am-7pm to deal with the problems, the council said the large volume of traffic had put limits on what its staff can do.

Transport Scotland – the Scottish Government's transport agency – is carrying out extensive bridge-strengthening work on the White Cart Viaduct, which has seen one lane closed in each direction since Friday evening.

Although Transport Scotland is responsible for trunk roads, such as the M8 and the A737, the council oversees local roads in the area.

A council spokesman said: "We understand and share the frustration of drivers who have experienced delays on the area's roads this week.

"We hope people will appreciate that the number of vehicles trying to pass through the same roads has made it impossible to achieve a smooth flow of traffic.

"But we would like to reassure the public we are using everything at our disposal to alleviate this congestion as best we can."

The spokesman pointed out this stretch of the M8 is one of the busiest bits of road in Scotland. Each lane on the White Cart Viaduct takes an average of about 1700 vehicles per hour.

He added: "With two lanes shut, that means thousands of vehicles are being displaced – either to the rest of the motorway or to side roads.

"One problem we have is that town centre roads are linked. If you give one green light a little bit longer, it has a knock-on effect on all other directions.

"But we are working very closely with Transport Scotland to improve things. One point we want to stress is that there are diversions in place.

"Drivers who want to get on to the M8 eastbound at the St James Interchange can instead go on the A737 to the Linclive roundabout at Linwood, turn round, and come back up the dual carriageway and on to the motorway that way.

"Should people follow this route, they should find their journey time will be quicker than it would be by trying to pass through congested town centre roads elsewhere."

The work on the White Cart Viaduct is the third stage of a £30million programme by Transport Scotland to make essential strengthening works to the 46-year-old bridge, and is due to last 10 weeks.

A spokeswoman for the agency said: "We are aware these roadworks are having a real impact on the M8 and surrounding roads, but they are essential and, on completion, will allow the speed limit to revert to 60 mph.

"We have worked closely with BAA Glasgow Airport, the police and Renfrewshire Council to minimise delays, but road users can play their part by allowing extra time or using public transport, where available."

ewan.fergus@eveningtimes.co.uk