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Part of M8 shut after fuel spill M8 fuel spill causes 14 accidents
(about 1 hour 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. A suspected fuel spill is thought to have caused at least 14 accidents and resulted in the closure of a six-mile stretch of the M8 in 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. Thousands of motorists have been delayed after the westbound carriageway was closed between junction 10 Barlanark and junction 19 Anderston.
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.Strathclyde Police said the carriageway could be closed for several hours.
Ch Insp Andy Orr, head of road policing with the force, said the first incident was reported early on Friday morning.
"Our crews got dispatched to a fairly minor road crash about six o'clock this morning," he said.
"Within a short space of time there were numerous other crashes and it was soon found that the road surface had been contaminated with diesel or oil, which necessitated the closure of the road for safety reasons.
"We are appealing for anyone who was on the M8 this morning and may have seen a vehicle leaking fuel to contact us. Gritters have been deployed to help with the clean-up operation."
It is absolutely pandemonium, there is no movement whatsoever. This morning is the worst I have ever come across Stranded motorist
The emergency services have responded to at least 14 accidents following the spill, including an eight-car pile-up.
Four people have also been taken to Glasgow Royal Infirmary with minor injuries after another collision at junction 14.
The spillage has also affected the A73, the main road between Wishaw and Airdrie, which has been closed between the Newhouse roundabout and Newmains.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 'Gridlocked everywhere'
There have been a handful of minor accidents caused by the spillage, with the first reported at 0635 BST. Police said they believed the vehicle may have come from Newhouse in North Lanarkshire.
Diversions have been put in place, and drivers have been advised to avoid the westbound M8 altogether. Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Service deployed two appliances to help with the clean-up operation.
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.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.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.""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.