This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/7624629.stm
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Part of M8 shut after fuel spill | |
(30 minutes later) | |
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 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 carriageway could be closed for several hours. | |
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. |