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Part of M8 shuts after fuel spill Part of M8 shut after fuel spill
(30 minutes later)
A suspected diesel spill has forced the closure of the M8 westbound from the east end of Glasgow. Thousands of motorists have been caught up in rush hour motorway chaos after a fuel spill forced the closure of the M8 westbound from the east end of Glasgow.
The carriageway has been shut between junction 10 Barlanark and junction 19 Anderston to allow for the fuel to be cleared from the roadway. The carriageway has been shut between junction 10 Barlanark and junction 19 Anderston to allow for a fuel spill to be cleared from the road.
The slip from the southbound M80 to the westbound M8 has also been closed off, leaving traffic backed-up.The slip from the southbound M80 to the westbound M8 has also been closed off, leaving traffic backed-up.
Strathclyde Police said the road could be closed for several hours and advise drivers to avoid the M8 altogether. Strathclyde Police said the carriageway could be closed for several hours.
The A73 from Newhouse roundabout to Newmains has also been closed off due to a related spillage. The spillage has also affected the A73, the main road between Wishaw and Airdrie, which has been closed between the Newhouse roundabout and Newmains.
It is absolutely pandemonium, there is no movement whatsoever Stranded motorist
There have been a handful of minor accidents caused by the spillage, with the first reported at 0635 BST.
Diversions have been put in place, and drivers have been advised to avoid the westbound M8 altogether.
Gritters have been deployed to help with the clean-up on the six-mile stretch of road, and police are still trying to trace the vehicle responsible for the spill.
One motorist told BBC Scotland at 0840 BST that he had been stuck in traffic for two hours on a journey from Shotts to his work in Glasgow that normally took only 30 minutes.
He said: "Eastbound there is not a car on the road - westbound it is just gridlocked everywhere. It is absolutely pandemonium, there is no movement whatsoever.
"This morning is the worst I have ever come across."
'Remain patient'
A Strathclyde Police spokesman said: "We have reports of three accidents on the M8. There are numerous vehicles involved.
"There are already huge tailbacks and we are expecting further congestion. Essentially any motorist heading west into Glasgow city centre will be affected.
"We are urging drivers to take their time and remain patient. We expect the motorway to be closed for several hours."
The force said it had reports of accidents at junctions 10, 12 and 17.
A Scottish Ambulance Service spokesman said four people had been taken to Glasgow Royal Infirmary with minor injuries after another collision at junction 14.
Police said they believed the vehicle may have come from Newhouse in North Lanarkshire.
Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Service deployed two appliances to help with the clean-up operation.