Drivers in and around Glasgow are bracing for a challenging nine months as a major programme of roadworks gets underway on Scotland’s busiest motorway, the M8. Starting Monday, September 8, 2025, the ambitious £10 million project will focus on the vital Junction 26 corridor—an area traversed by more than 150,000 vehicles every day, according to BBC News. The initiative aims to refurbish and upgrade four key bridges dating back to 1968: Hillington Interchange East, Hillington Interchange West, Hillington Rail, and Hillington Slip. These structures, carrying the motorway over local roads and a railway, have been battered by decades of heavy use and are now riddled with potholes and structural wear.
The works, led by road maintenance company Amey on behalf of Transport Scotland, will unfold over five distinct phases and are scheduled to run until May 10, 2026. For drivers, commuters, and local businesses, this means a lengthy period of diversions, speed restrictions, and significant delays—especially during peak periods. The project is designed to address not just the crumbling surfaces but also to replace or reinforce outdated safety barriers, waterproofing, and parapets, ensuring the motorway meets current standards and remains safe for years to come.
“These essential works will help ensure the continued safe and reliable operation of the M8 at Hillington Interchange. We would like to thank road users for their patience and understanding while this important refurbishment is carried out,” a spokesperson for Amey said, as reported by STV News.
The disruption begins with the first phase, running from September 8 to October 1, 2025. During this period, a contraflow system will be in place along the mainline at Junction 26, with lanes two and three of the eastbound carriageway closed. The eastbound on-slip road will also be shut, forcing drivers to follow well-signposted diversions. For those north of the interchange—particularly in the Renfrew and Braehead areas—daytime traffic will be redirected via King’s Inch Road and Old Govan Road to join the M8 at Junction 25A (Braehead). Overnight, the route shifts to Renfrew Road, Shieldhall Road, and Helen Street, linking up with the M8 at Junction 24 (Helen Street Interchange). Southbound traffic from the Hillington Industrial Estate will be diverted via Hillington Road, Paisley Road West, and Helen Street, before rejoining the M8 eastbound at Junction 24.
Safety is a top priority throughout the project. A 40 mph speed limit will be strictly enforced across the work zone, monitored by average speed cameras. Recovery vehicles will be stationed nearby, ready to assist in case of breakdowns. Construction is set to proceed around the clock, so drivers and nearby residents should expect some noise—though Amey promises to use noise-dampening measures overnight wherever feasible. Overnight closures are also scheduled at various points to allow for traffic management changes, with details to be published in advance. The movement of abnormal loads eastbound between Junctions 27 and 26 will be prohibited, but emergency services will retain full access at all times.
The second phase, from October 2 to December 14, will see continued closures—this time affecting lanes one and two of the eastbound carriageway, with the eastbound on-slip road remaining closed. The third phase, from December 15 to February 8, focuses on barrier upgrades and will close lane three in both directions. A brief pause for the festive season is scheduled from December 18 to January 5, offering a short reprieve before works resume. Phase four, running February 9 to March 2, 2026, will shift the focus to the westbound carriageway, closing lanes two and three and shutting the westbound off-slip at Junction 26 overnight and for one weekend. The final phase, from March 3 to May 10, 2026, will complete the refurbishment, with the westbound off-slip remaining closed at night and contraflow operations in place on lanes one and two.
Throughout the project, two lanes in each direction will remain open to keep traffic moving, but delays are inevitable. Traffic modelling by Amey suggests that during the first three phases, drivers can expect delays of up to six minutes off-peak and up to 15 minutes during peak times. However, phases four and five—when the majority of work shifts to the westbound lanes—are predicted to bring even more significant delays. As a result, motorists are being strongly encouraged to leave extra time for their journeys and to consider alternative routes where possible.
The project is the result of extensive consultation with Transport Scotland, Traffic Scotland, Renfrewshire Council, Glasgow City Council, West Dunbartonshire Council, and Braehead Shopping Centre. The schedule remains weather dependent, so unforeseen conditions could prompt further adjustments. But the end goal is clear: to prevent unplanned closures and keep a critical piece of Scotland’s infrastructure running smoothly. As an Amey spokesperson explained to BBC News, “Proactive maintenance now helps us avoid the risk of deterioration that could lead to more disruptive closures in future. By carrying out these works now, we are protecting a vital part of Scotland’s trunk road network. The investment will reduce the risk of unplanned closures and ensure that the M8 can continue to support communities, road users and businesses across the region.”
Of course, these aren’t the only works currently affecting the M8. Repairs to the Glasgow Woodside viaduct near Charing Cross, originally slated to finish in late 2023, have already been ongoing for four years. Last month, Transport Scotland confirmed that these repairs will now stretch until at least the second half of 2027, with restrictions on the eastbound carriageway set to lift in autumn 2026 and on the westbound carriageway later in 2027. Resurfacing work around Charing Cross will also mean overnight closures throughout September, while maintenance on footbridges at Kirkwood Street and Cornwall Street continues until December 2025. Masonry repairs at Junction 15 are expected to wrap up soon.
For many Glaswegians and businesses in the surrounding areas, the months ahead will be marked by patience, planning, and a fair bit of frustration. Yet, as officials and contractors keep reminding the public, the inconvenience now is intended to prevent even more disruptive closures in the future. If all goes as planned—and the Scottish weather cooperates—the M8 at Hillington Interchange will emerge next spring safer, stronger, and ready to serve the region for decades to come.
