Amey, on behalf of Transport Scotland, is carrying out vital refurbishment of the Cornwall Street and Kirkwood Street footbridges over the M8 between Junction 21 (Seaward Street) and Junction 23 (Dumbreck), south-west of Glasgow city centre.

To safely reinstall the bridge spans, two extended overnight closures of the M8 in both directions between Junctions 19 (Anderston) and 24 (Helen Street) are required in November 2026. Road users are urged to avoid the area, plan ahead, consider alternative routes or modes, and allow extra time.

Emergency vehicle access will not be maintained. Signed diversions will operate during the following closures:

- Weekend One (Kirkwood Street span reinstatement): 6pm Saturday 7th November to 1pm Sunday 8th November 2026

- Weekend Two (Cornwall Street span reinstatement): 6pm Saturday 14th November to 1pm Sunday 15th November 2026

Weekend One – M8 closures and diversions:

- Eastbound: closed between Junctions 24 and 22, including the Helen Street eastbound on-slip. Traffic will turn right via Helen Street onto Paisley Road, then follow Mosspark Boulevard to Dumbreck Road and continue to the M77 northbound, where the diversion ends. Traffic affected by the M8 Junction 23 eastbound on-slip closure will join at Dumbreck Road and continue to the M77 northbound.

- Westbound: main and secondary carriageways closed between Junctions 22 and 24. Traffic will follow the above diversion in reverse from the M77 Junction 1 southbound off-slip to rejoin the M8 at Junction 24.

- Carnoustie Street on-slip: a separate diversion will operate via Scotland Street to the Seaward Street westbound on-slip.

- The M77 in both directions is unaffected during Weekend One.

Weekend Two – full M8 closure and diversions:

- All 16 lanes of the M8 will be closed.

- Eastbound: closed between Junctions 24 and 22, including the Helen Street eastbound on-slip. Diversion via Helen Street, Edmiston Drive, Paisley Road West, Paisley Road, Kingston Street, Commerce Street, Broomielaw and the A804 to rejoin the M8 eastbound at Junction 19. Traffic affected by the M8 Junction 23 eastbound on-slip closure will join at Edmiston Drive and follow the same route to Junction 19.

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- Westbound: closed between Junctions 20 and 24. Diversion via West Street, Morrison Street, Paisley Road and Paisley Road West. From there, traffic for the M77 southbound continues via Dumbreck Road to join the M77 at Junction 1, while traffic for the M8 eastbound continues via Helen Street to rejoin at Junction 24.

Additional slip road closures (Weekend Two):

- Seaward Street on-slip: diversion via Seaward Street and Paisley Road West. From there, M77 southbound traffic uses Dumbreck Road to M77 Junction 1; M8 eastbound traffic uses Helen Street to M8 Junction 24.

- Waterloo Street on-slip: diversion via Pitt Street, St Vincent Street and Newton Street to the M8 at Junction 19, then West Street, Morrison Street, Paisley Road and Paisley Road West. M77 southbound traffic then uses Dumbreck Road to M77 Junction 1; M8 eastbound traffic uses Helen Street to M8 Junction 24.

- Stobcross on-slip: diversion via Argyle Street, James Watt Street, Broomielaw, Bridge Street, Nelson Street, Morrison Street, Paisley Road and Paisley Road West. M77 southbound traffic then uses Dumbreck Road to M77 Junction 1; M8 eastbound traffic uses Helen Street to M8 Junction 24.

Other motorway impacts (Weekend Two):

- M77 northbound: closed at Junction 1, including the Junction 1 northbound on-slip. Diversion via Dumbreck Road and Edmiston Drive, then Paisley Road West, Paisley Road, Kingston Street, Commerce Street, Broomielaw and the A804 to rejoin the M8 eastbound at Junction 19.

- M74 westbound: closed at Junction 1 with diversion via Scotland Street, Seaward Street and Paisley Road West. The same route applies for the Carnoustie Street westbound on-slip closure. From there, M77 southbound traffic uses Dumbreck Road to M77 Junction 1; M8 eastbound traffic uses Helen Street to M8 Junction 24.

Severe delays are expected on surrounding routes and diversions. During similar closures in 2024, queues of up to one hour were recorded; comparable delays are possible unless traffic volumes reduce markedly. Please consider alternative routes, different modes, or avoiding the area where possible.

This operation requires large cranes and specialist lifting equipment and can only proceed in suitable weather. High winds, heavy rain or other adverse conditions may force postponement or rescheduling at short notice. A contingency weekend has been identified: 6pm Saturday 21st November to 1pm Sunday 22nd November 2026, to be used only if required. Weather will be monitored and any changes communicated promptly.

Be aware of additional planned roadworks across Glasgow's motorway network during these weekends. Vehicles entering Glasgow's Low Emission Zone (LEZ) while following the signed diversion will not face enforcement; drivers leaving the signed route may be liable for penalty charges issued by Glasgow City Council.

This scheme has been planned with Transport Scotland, Traffic Scotland, the emergency services, Glasgow City Council and other key stakeholders. Amey thanks residents, businesses and road users for their patience while these essential improvements are delivered.

After the spans are reinstalled, works from November 2026 will prepare the footbridges for reopening and enhance the active travel route, including waterproofing, resurfacing, improved drainage and parapet upgrades. The bridges are programmed to reopen by Sunday 28th February 2027, with higher parapets for cyclists and improved surfaces and drainage to create a safer, more accessible route for walking, wheeling and cycling.