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M8 Facts and Figures

Average speed of 53mph

• The M8 began life in 1965 with a bypass at Harthill.
• It continued to be built in several sections - the city centre section completed between '68 and '72. The majority of the route was finished by 1980. It is 61 miles in length.
• There are 31 junctions. Starting with J1 at the Edinburgh City Bypass and ending at J31 Bishopton - where it becomes the A8.
• The heaviest traffic, on average, is at junction 15 - North of the Kingston Bridge. (daily flow approx 119000 cars)
• The quietest section, on average is at J30 at Port Glasgow (daily flow approx 24000 cars)
• The Kingston Bridge carries 10 lanes and was completed in 1970.
• It is Britain's only east to west motorway north of the M62.
• The motorway has Britain's closest exit junctions - 18 and 19 eastbound.
• The "Monkland Motorway" section of the M8 was built on the bed of the Monkland Canal which was once the most profitable in Scotland.
• Named in 2007 as the worst commuter route in Britain. At peak times 85 percent of drivers faced a delay.
• There are two other M8 motorways, one in Ireland and another in Russia.
• The RAC claims the M8 is the least efficient motorway in the UK with an average speed of just 53mph.
• The motorway is policed by Strathclyde and Lothian and Borders Police.