Drivers told to avoid Raith Roundabout

With work to construct the new North Road Bridge now a fortnight behind schedule and estimated not to be completed until the end of this month, the A725 will face further congestion.

From 8pm on Friday to 6am on Monday, a contraflow will be in operation at the Raith roundabout, reducing it to one lane in each direction.

This major traffic management is required to undertake bridge protection and road surfacing on the north side of the roundabout.

Traffic travelling on the A725 from both the north (Bellshill Bypass) and south (East Kilbride Expressway) will join the contraflow prior to Raith roundabout.

As a result the M74 northbound on-slip and southbound off-slip at Junction 5, Raith, will be closed. Access to Hamilton, Bothwell and the M74 north and southbound carriageways will be via diverted routes.

Access to and from Strathclyde Park will be maintained and access to the M74 northbound will be maintained via the Bellshill Road (B7071) dedicated on-slip.

Graeme Reid, project manager for the M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements Project, said: “Whilst we’re doing everything we can to minimise the disruption, delays will be inevitable.

“We’re advising motorists to avoid Raith and the approach roads, including the A725 if possible, to plan their journeys and check the Transport Scotland and Traffic Scotland websites for updates.”

Five other roads are also facing closures this month starting with Bothwellhaugh Road, Bellshill, from 200m from the cemetery gates on Sunday for resurfacing.

Orbiston Road in Bellshill will be closed all next week also for resurfacing, as will a 60m stretch of Liberty Road at its junction with Community Road on November 21 and 22.

A 70m stretch of West Avenue in Viewpark south of its junction with Central Avenue will be closed on November 23 to allow Scottish Power to remove power units by crane.

Aitkenhead Road in Tannochside will be closed on November 28 and 29 at the A8 east and west slip roads to allow for a bridge to be constructed.