A8 TRUNK ROAD
BAILLIESTON TO NEWHOUSE
MAJOR MAINTENANCE
TRANSPORT GROUP: AUGUST 2002
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Introduction
This leaflet provides information on the measures being taken to reduce inconvenience to road users and local residents while major road works are carried out to improve the A8 between Ballieston and Newhouse.
The Scottish Executive recently awarded a 23 million Contract to Balfour Beatty Construction to carry out necessary refurbishment works on the A8 Trunk Road between Baillieston and Newhouse. This section of the A8, together with the M8 motorway, forms the main route between Glasgow and Edinburgh. The A8 carries a high volume of traffic, some 75,000 vehicles per day, and the carriageway has now reached the end of its useful life. Major maintenance works are now required.
The carriageway repairs are due to start on 12th August and be completed by January 2004. The works extend from the east side of Baillieston Interchange to the east side of Chapelhall Junction.
The A8 will remain open to traffic at all times during the works but there will be lane and junction restrictions for limited periods. Up-to-date information on the restrictions in force and any delays will be carried in the local press and on radio, AA Roadwatch, the Variable Message Signs situated on the route and on the surrounding road network. The National Driver Information and Control System (NADICS) will also alert the travelling public via its website www.nadics.org.uk.
A transport study of the A8 Corridor has been carried out as part of the Central Scotland Transport Corridor Studies. The report entitled'The Corridor Plan to 2010' has recently been completed. It recommends upgrading the A8 between Baillieston and Newhouse to a dual3-lane motorway. The works, which are now underway, will not affect the recommendationto upgrade the route to motorway standard. Further details of the studies' proposals may be obtained from the web site www.cstcs.co.uk. Public exhibitions on the studies will be held in autumn 2002.
The Works
The maintenance works will include the following improvements:-
- The addition of hard shoulders and hardstrips at the edge of each carriageway to provide holding areas for broken down vehicles and better access for emergency vehicles. The hardshoulders may also be used as additional running lanes during future maintenance works.
- Safety improvements to all the sliproads contained within the scheme limits.
- Improvements to the bridge piers at Braehead Farm to meet current impact standards.
- Protection works to the parapets at Orchard Farm Railway Bridge.
- Provision of additional headroom clearance at Shawhead and Chapelhall bridges.
- Road surfacing which will reduce the level of traffic noise.
- New street lighting between Baillieston and Chapelhall Junctions.
- NADICS infrastructure including CCTV camera coverage, automatic incident detection, emergency telephones and signalling.
Traffic Management
Every effort will be made to minimise the impact on traffic. However, it is likely that there will be traffic queues and delays on the approaches to the works. A proportion of current A8 traffic is likely to transfer to other main routes and local roads in East Glasgow and North Lanarkshire to avoid the construction works. This may result in greater congestion and delays at junctions on parts of the local road network.
A 40 mph mandatory speed limit will apply, enforced by speed cameras, for the duration of the works. Two lanes of traffic, generally of reduced width, will be maintained in both directions for most of the time. Any lane closures will be kept to the minimum to maintain the safety of site staff and the travelling public. Where lane closures are required the 'Merge in Turn' system will be used. This system essentially involves drivers using both lanes until 400 yards from the start of the lane closure and then merging, in turn, into one lane.
It will also be necessary to close some of the slip roads temporarily to carry out the works. Notification of these closures and the associated diversion will be sign posted in advance.
Advance Works
The following complimentary works have already been carried out:
- New Variable Message Signs on the westbound approach to Junction 6 and the eastbound approach to Junction 10 of the M8.
- New mobile Variable Message Signs on the M8 westbound approach to Junction 4 and northbound on the A725.
- New CCTV cameras at Shawhead and Newhouse Junctions to monitor the prevailing traffic conditions.
- A number of temporary parking restriction orders which will be applied, where necessary, on the local road network when slip roads are closed.
Public Transport
For the duration of the works motorists are encouraged, wherever possible, to make use of public transport, particularly during the peak periods. Traveline provides journey planning and timetable information for all modes of public transport, and the contact phone number is given at the end of this leaflet.
Car Sharing
Motorists are encouraged to consider car sharing as an option during the works as any reduction in overall traffic flow will be to the benefit of all road users.
Further Information
Full information relating to the works will be available to all road users and public transport operators. For information on local public transport and traffic information see the listings below:
Public Transport (all modes)
Traffic Information
National Driver Information and Control System (NADICS) website www.nadics.org.uk
AA Roadwatch on 09003 401100
Local Radio
Clyde1 on 102.5 MHz
Forth 1 on 97.3 MHz
Radio Scotland on 92.4 to 94.7 MHz
Real Radio on 100.3 to 101.1 MHz
Scottish Executive (via Carl Bro Group)
For all enquiries about these works contact 0141 7717970