Glasgow City Council will support the demolition of a stretch of the M8 motorway in Glasgow

Glasgow City Council will write to the Scottish Government voicing its support for the ‘remove’ option for the future of the M8 Woodside viaduct.

It comes after the council responded to Transport Scotland’s recent consultation into the future of repairs on the stretch of road in the north of Glasgow.

In February, Transport Scotland launched a consultation outlining three proposals that would see the repair, replacement or removal of the M8 at the Woodside Viaducts. It comes after more than five years of work on the 55-year-old viaduct.

Transport Scotland said in February that further permanent works will need to be undertaken to ensure their future viability if the viaduct is to remain.

Three approaches have been detailed by Transport Scotland. Approach one would see the viaducts repaired over an estimated time period of 1-3 years at a cost of between £125m. Approach two would see the viaducts replaced to modern design standards over the course of 3-4 years, but costs are expected to be high. The proposals estimate a cost of £200m-£500m.

Work has been ongoing at Woodside Viaduct for more than five years. | John Devlin/The Scotsman

placeholder image — Work has been ongoing at Woodside Viaduct for more than five years. | John Devlin/The Scotsman

It now appears that Glasgow City Council have backed the remove option. In the list of questions for Glasgow City Council’s full council meeting on Thursday, councillor Christy Mearns set to ask the relevant city convener to commit to writing to the Scottish Government.

Cllr Mearns will ask: “Following the Council’s recent response to Transport Scotland’s consultation into the future of the M8 Woodside viaduct, will the relevant City Convener commit to writing to the relevant Minister once they are appointed to urge them to pursue the ‘remove’ option, and offering the Council’s full support?”

It is understood that Transport Scotland is unlikely to back the remove option.

Sign up for GlasgowWorld’s fab wee newsletter - join us here

At the time of the announcement, Transport Scotland’s Director of Major Projects, Lawrence Shackman said that contractors Amey were facing “significant challenges”. Most significantly, an existing sewer, adjacent to the SPT tunnel at the western end of the viaducts, was found to be in a different location than expected.

The proposals are currently at the second of eight stages, with Transport Scotland saying that “this is a priority project that affects the movement of people and goods in this area, as well as local communities.”

It is estimated that more than 150,000 vehicles use the M8 daily.

Transport Scotland has been contacted for comment.