Motorists hit by seven-mile tailbacks after M8 crash

Drivers on the M8 faced Thursday-morning tailbacks of about seven miles after a crash forced the closure of two lanes.

Published 22nd Sep 2016

Drivers on the M8 faced Thursday-morning tailbacks of about seven miles after a crash forced the closure of two lanes.

The accident - in which a Jaguar struck a bridge barrier at junction 18 near Charing Cross, Glasgow - happened at about 5.45am.

The incident caused long delays, with motorists later warned to avoid the area.

Traffic Scotland reported there had been queues on the M8 eastbound from junction 18 to 29, near Paisley, following the crash. It also reported congestion on the northbound M77.

ScotlandTranServe said the tailbacks would have caused delays of up to 45 minutes for drivers on the M8 and potentially added up to an hour to M77 journey times.

As the morning went on, the eastbound on-slip at junction 18 remained closed for urgent repairs to the damaged crash barrier.

Traffcom, Glasgow's traffic management service, said: "Long delays are expected and drivers should avoid the area."

Police Scotland said a 38-year-old man was taken to hospital following the one-vehicle collision. His injuries are not thought to be serious.

A force spokesman said: "At around 5.45am a Jaguar motor vehicle was travelling east on the M8 at junction 18 near Charing Cross whereby the vehicle struck the barrier on the bridge.

"As as result, two lanes of the M8 were closed to allow the emergency services to respond.

"The driver of the car was a 38-year-old man. He was taken by ambulance to Glasgow Royal Infirmary for treatment."