Timings to Avoid (worst of) M8 Congestion.

[m80]

We're off to the Higherlands on Friday 30th Aug. For a week+.
We can't leave Derbyshire till 2pm, that'll mean us going over Glasgee some time past 6:30pm.
1st night is at Arrochar.

So I'm wondering if the traffic is likely to be nose to tail congestion going over M74 / M8 to the Erskine Bridge, and should we perhaps have a decent break in the Borders and use the road a bit later.
Although being able to get to the Village Inn early enough for food would be good.

The next day we can travel leisurely up to Inverness, via Loch Awe and up, even getting in a couple of good walks en route.

 

[KennyN]

I believe the M8 is going to be closed in both directions overnight at the coming weekends for bridge maintenance , what time it closes at night i have no idea so it may be worth doing a bit of an investigation.

The M8 is like a carpark most evenings regardless of what time you travel.

Maybe an idea to leave the M74 at J5 and head through East Kilbride / Clarkston / Nitshill / Paisley and onto the M8 to the Erskine Bridge, this will eliminate using the M8 through Glasgow entirely.

K

 

[m80]

I believe the M8 is going to be closed in both directions overnight at the coming weekends for bridge maintenance , what time it closes at night i have no idea so it may be worth doing a bit of an investigation.

The M8 is like a carpark most evenings regardless of what time you travel.

Maybe an idea to leave the M74 at J5 and head through East Kilbride / Clarkston / Nitshill / Paisley and onto the M8 to the Erskine Bridge, this will eliminate using the M8 through Glasgow entirely.

K

Glasgow motorists warned of disruption as M8 to close overnight for two weekends

A stretch of the M8 will be closed in both directions between Junctions 19 (Anderston) and 24 (Helen Street) while essential refurbishments to footbridges take place.

www.glasgowlive.co.uk

As I read that the closures are for the next 2 w/e's, so those will be clear for us.
But worth looking again later to see if there are more closures later.
Would your diversion still be good if the M74 / M8 is open?

 

[KennyN]

Would your diversion still be good if the M74 / M8 is open?

It's a gamble , coming through Glasgow West bound on the M8 to the Erskine Bridge at anytime around rush hour will add at least 45mins to the journey but at least it is a straight road , go through EK etc. without knowing the road could add even more time if you get lost or there are roadworks.

Best doing a traffic review once you get near Glasgow on the day, as it can change by the hour, as it did today with a flipped car on the M8 closing it.

K

 

[m80]

It's a gamble , coming through Glasgow West bound on the M8 to the Erskine Bridge at anytime around rush hour will add at least 45mins to the journey but at least it is a straight road , go through EK etc. without knowing the road could add even more time if you get lost or there are roadworks.

Best doing a traffic review once you get near Glasgow on the day, as it can change by the hour, as it did today with a flipped car on the M8 closing it.

K

I guess we rely on Google Maps to navigate us through or around.

 

[colinallcars]

I guess we rely on Google Maps to navigate us through or around.

You should be fine, the traffic has usually cleared by 6:30. Also, you’re coming via the M74 which avoids the worst bit of the M8 through the city and over the Kingston Bridge. There can be a bit of congestion at the M77/M8/M74 junction but get in the right lane and you’ll drive right past it.

 

[Pontoneer]

I can't answer this fully , or even adequately , but in the past two days , from passing between North Ayrshire ( joining M8 at Glasgow Airport ) , down to Cambuslang , and back later by the same route , all has been fine , and no worse than at any other time ( barring major crashes etc , which can't be helped anywhere .

I know , by theme I'm seeing this, you are probably well on your way . earlier today ( late morning / mid afternoon ) I travelled along the M8 west to east and then east to west , past Glasgow airport without noticing anything out of order .

I genuinely hope your holiday goes well and that you have no problems .

I will keep my eye on this thread , but if you have any issues THE best MB specialist in Scotland are Merparts in Port Glasgow Merparts Ltd Independent Mercedes Benz Specialist

Numerous other members will verify that ; the company is ran by three brothers and all three were previously MB master technicians ( the highest level ) before they left to start up on their own .Other members here have reported positive feedback from having work done there .

Should you be within a reasonable distance of Port Glasgow , and in need of a tow , please reach out to me ; I will be happy to assist .

That is what being part of a club is all about .

 

[Pontoneer]

duplicate post

 

[Pontoneer]

I can't answer this fully , or even adequately , but in the past two days , from passing between North Ayrshire ( joining M8 at Glasgow Airport ) , down to Cambuslang , and back later by the same route , all has been fine , and no worse than at any other time ( barring major crashes etc , which can't be helped anywhere .

I know , by theme I'm seeing this, you are probably well on your way . earlier today ( late morning / mid afternoon ) I travelled along the M8 west to east and then east to west , past Glasgow airport without noticing anything out of order .

I genuinely hope your holiday goes well and that you have no problems .

I will keep my eye on this thread , but if you have any issues THE best MB specialist in Scotland are Merparts in Port Glasgow Merparts Ltd Independent Mercedes Benz Specialist

Numerous other members will verify that ; the company is ran by three brothers and all three were previously MB master technicians ( the highest level ) before they left to start up on their own .Other members here have reported positive feedback from having work done there .

Should you be within a reasonable distance of Port Glasgow , and in need of a tow , please reach out to me ; I will be happy to assist .

That is what being part of a club is all about .

m80 , should you need it , my phone number is REMOVED - PLEASE PM INSTEAD,

Hope you don't need to call me , but if you find yourself stuck anywhere please contact me - even if I can't recover your car , I will recover you and your family to a hotel within reach of a railway station , that is if your car isn't going to be ready anytime soon .

If any recovery is local to me , I will do it for free ( and same applies for any club members , say 50 mile radius of Glasgow , and back to Glasgow ) , otherwise I'd have to ask for petrol money at cost ( fill up on leaving and get a receipt , refill on drop off and ask recovered party to pay - is that fair , I think so ? !!! ) .

Anyway , I still think this is what being part of a club is about ; who else agrees with me and would be willing to help out fellow club members either wth a local tow , or with a longer distance tow ?

Is this something we ,as a club , could set up as a national network , with people willing to help stranded members and get them to their local MB dealerships , to hotels for the night , or to MB independent specialists ?

Obviously , as club members , we would have no responsibility , but if getting club members to a dealership or MB Independent would help then we would feel discharged .

If stranded club members simply wanted to get home , with car left at Indy/dealership , then a run to the nearest mainline railway station could be an option ?

Others , please comment - is this a general sort of thing we , as members , could offer to other regular . and known , members ?

I don't mean people who join the club one week then look for a tow the length of Britain - such would need some scrutiny .

 

[Pontoneer]

I should have stated that i won't answer any phone calls if I'm driving , but i will call back all missed calls once i find somewhere to stop .

 

[KillerHERTZ]

Number removed, I strongly advise against sharing your personal number on an open forum - people can PM you for it

 

[m80]

m80 , should you need it , my phone number is REMOVED - PLEASE PM INSTEAD,

Hope you don't need to call me , but if you find yourself stuck anywhere please contact me - even if I can't recover your car , I will recover you and your family to a hotel within reach of a railway station , that is if your car isn't going to be ready anytime soon .

If any recovery is local to me , I will do it for free ( and same applies for any club members , say 50 mile radius of Glasgow , and back to Glasgow ) , otherwise I'd have to ask for petrol money at cost ( fill up on leaving and get a receipt , refill on drop off and ask recovered party to pay - is that fair , I think so ? !!! ) .

Anyway , I still think this is what being part of a club is about ; who else agrees with me and would be willing to help out fellow club members either wth a local tow , or with a longer distance tow ?

Is this something we ,as a club , could set up as a national network , with people willing to help stranded members and get them to their local MB dealerships , to hotels for the night , or to MB independent specialists ?

Obviously , as club members , we would have no responsibility , but if getting club members to a dealership or MB Independent would help then we would feel discharged .

If stranded club members simply wanted to get home , with car left at Indy/dealership , then a run to the nearest mainline railway station could be an option ?

Others , please comment - is this a general sort of thing we , as members , could offer to other regular . and known , members ?

I don't mean people who join the club one week then look for a tow the length of Britain - such would need some scrutiny .

Very kind.
Although hauling a Ex long Viano is maybe more than you would anticipate.
Then there is the 60Kg+ lively puppy that slobbers on everything.

Fingers crossed we will be ok, but the get me home recovery would be suitable in the event. Even though last time the AC compressor seized, and shredded the belt, I waited more then 3 hours for their appearance.

Thanks, I'll keep your offer in mind.