Emergency services shut down M8 in both directions after motorway crash

Police Scotland has asked drivers to use alternative routes.

The M8 motorway was closed in both directions outside Edinburgh after a “serious” crash left a vehicle on the central reservation.

The road was shut between Junction 2 Claylands Interchange and Junction 3 Dechmont Interchange near the city’s airport following the collision on the eastbound carriageway.

The incident happened at around 1.15pm on Sunday. Emergency services attended and Police Scotland asked drivers to use alternative routes.

Traffic Scotland said traffic was queuing in both directions following the crash with eastbound delays of approximately 45 to 50 minutes, and 20 to 30 minutes westbound.

There were also reports of congestion on the Junction 3 off-slip to the A899 and on the A89.

At 2.25pm, the M8 eastbound remained restricted with long queues in both directions. Road Policing Scotland said the motorway was down to running on the hard shoulder only eastbound due to a “serious” road crash.

At 3pm, a spokesperson for the force said: “We plan to open lane one shortly. Lane two will remain shut until vehicle is recovered from central reservation.”

Police later said both carriageways were reopened at around 4pm though traffic remained slow in the area.

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