Lilshira
Glasgow M8 closure on 14‑15 November 2026 forces city‑centre diversions
All 16 lanes of Glasgow’s M8 will close from 6 pm on Saturday 14 November until 1 pm on Sunday 15 November 2026, diverting motorists onto signed city‑centre routes. The shutdown affects drivers, airport passengers and public‑transport users across the city.
In this story
At a glance
- What changes
- All 16 lanes of the Glasgow M8 will close for bridge reinstatement
- Timing
- 6 pm 14 Nov to 1 pm 15 Nov 2026
- Who is affected
- Motorists, airport passengers and public‑transport users in Glasgow
The details
- Announced by
- Transport Scotland
- Takes effect
- from 6pm on Saturday 14 November until 1pm on Sunday 15 November 2026
- Previous rule
- The M8 normally operates with all 16 lanes open between Junctions 20 and 24, providing uninterrupted motorway flow.
- New rule
- All 16 lanes will be closed for the Cornwall Street footbridge reinstatement, and traffic will be redirected onto pre‑published city‑centre diversion routes.
Closure details
Transport Scotland’s contractor Amey will close the eastbound carriageway between Junction 24 (Helen Street) and Junction 22 (Plantation) and the westbound carriageway between Junction 20 (Kingston Bridge) and Junction 24. The work covers a total of 19 scheduled hours, beginning at 6 pm on Saturday 14 Nov and ending at 1 pm on Sunday 15 Nov. Both the Kirkwood Street and Cornwall Street footbridges are being lifted back onto the motorway after off‑site refurbishment.
- All 16 lanes in the affected section will be unavailable
- The closure is part of a two‑weekend bridge reinstatement programme
Diversion routes for motorists
Eastbound drivers must exit at Junction 24, follow Helen Street, Edmiston Drive, Paisley Road West and a series of city streets before rejoining the M8 at Junction 19. Westbound traffic will leave between Junctions 20 and 24 and travel via West Street, Morrison Street, Paisley Road and related streets, with specific onward links for M77 and M8 destinations. The M77 northbound carriageway and the M74 westbound carriageway also close at Junction 1, adding further diverted traffic onto the same city streets.
- Follow signed routes; shortcuts are not permitted
- Drivers heading to the M77 southbound should use Dumbreck Road to Junction 1
Impact on public transport and airport access
Glasgow Airport warns passengers of significant road delays and advises extra time for check‑in and security. The Airport Express 500 will use altered stops on Waterloo Street and Hope Street. First Bus X8, other First Bus services and Citylink coaches will follow diversions, with some routes experiencing longer journey times. The Glasgow Subway will not operate on Sunday 15 Nov, removing a popular alternative for travellers.
- Airport Express 500 will serve only the first Waterloo Street stop
- Citylink 903 remains unchanged, but other Citylink routes will divert
What this means for travellers
Trip planning
- Drivers with journeys scheduled during 14‑15 Nov should allow extra travel time for possible one‑hour delays
- Airport passengers should plan for longer road travel to and from Glasgow Airport on both days
- Subway users must arrange alternative rail or bus services on Sunday 15 Nov
Cost and documents
- No additional tolls or fees are introduced by the diversion routes
- Drivers entering the Low Emission Zone on signed diversions will not face enforcement
What you need to do
- Motorists must follow the official signed diversion routes published by Traffic Scotland
- Airport travellers should check the latest Glasgow Airport road‑access advisory before departure
- Public‑transport riders need to verify any stop changes with First Bus or Citylink prior to travel
Who this affects
-
Motorists using the M8
All 16 lanes of the M8 between Junctions 20 and 24 will be closed for bridge reinstatement
What to do Follow the signed city‑centre diversion routes for the duration of the closure
-
Glasgow Airport passengers
Road access to the airport will be delayed by diverted traffic and altered bus stops
What to do Allow extra time for ground travel and check the Airport Express 500 stop changes
-
Public‑transport users (bus and coach)
First Bus, Citylink and other operators will run on altered routes during the works
What to do Confirm any service changes with the operator before travelling
-
Subway riders
The Glasgow Subway will not operate on Sunday 15 Nov, overlapping with the road works
What to do Use alternative rail or bus services for journeys on that day
Frequently asked questions
When does the Glasgow M8 closure start and end?
The closure starts at 6 pm on Saturday 14 November 2026 and is scheduled to finish at 1 pm on Sunday 15 November 2026.
Which lanes of the M8 are closed during the works?
All 16 lanes of the M8 between Junction 20 (Kingston Bridge) and Junction 24 (Helen Street) will be closed for the footbridge reinstatement.
What diversion routes should eastbound drivers follow?
Eastbound traffic must exit at Junction 24, then travel via Helen Street, Edmiston Drive, Paisley Road West and several city streets before rejoining the M8 at Junction 19.
Will the Glasgow Subway be running on 15 November?
No, the Glasgow Subway will not operate on Sunday 15 November 2026, as a separate maintenance shutdown coincides with the M8 works.
How will the M8 closure affect travel to Glasgow Airport?
Road access to the airport will experience significant delays, and the Airport Express 500 bus will use altered stops, so passengers should allow extra time and check the latest airport advisory.
Are there any new fees or emissions charges for drivers on the diversion routes?
No new fees are introduced, and vehicles following the signed diversions will not be subject to Low Emission Zone enforcement during the closure.
