Express buses off road due to motorway closure

The operator has announced that its X11 service, which runs from Newmains via Wishaw and Motherwell to the city centre, will be suspended on Saturday and Sunday.

Passengers have been told they’ll have to rely on other services which don’t use the motorway.

The news comes as drivers brace themselves for chaos on the roads when a three-mile stretch of the M74 is closed.

Roads around the motorway are expected to be in a state of gridlock with drivers looking for alternative routes.

The closure, between Junctions 4 Maryville and 5 Raith, begins at 8pm this Friday and runs until 6am on Monday. It’s to allow demolition of a bridge in Bothwellpark Road, Bothwell.

The structure provides access to just two houses but has to be replaced because the bridge legs are in the way of motorway widening.

There will be a signed diversion along the M73, A8 and A725 Bellshill bypass, but it’s expected drivers with local knowledge will use other routes.

That’s likely to mean traffic congestion in Uddingston, Bothwell and Fallside.

Motorists will continue to have access to the M74 southbound at Raith and northbound at Maryville and Junction 3A Daldowie.

Graeme Reid, Transport Scotland project manager for the M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements Project, said: “We are anticipating major delays on all approaches, the surrounding roads and the main diversion route.

“We are advising road users to plan their journey, avoid the area and surrounding local roads and, if possible, to use alternative modes of transport.”