M8 crash: major traffic delays of up to 95 minutes following serious crash near West Lothian town

Commuters are facing delays of up to 95 minutes following a serious accident on a Scottish motorway.

The crash happened at about 4am near Whitburn, West Lothian, on Friday, 2 October.

The M8 between J4a and J5 is now closed and is expected to be shut for some time while emergency services deal with the ongoing incident.

Traffic travelling eastbound is currently facing delays of up to 95 minutes as queues are tailing back to Newhouse.

Motorists heading westbound are also experiencing disruption for up to about 20 minutes on approach.

A separate accident is also causing delays eastbound at J6a. Traffic to the west of that junction is being advised to exit the motorway at J6a.

The M8 is the busiest motorway in Scotland and one of the busiest in the United Kingdom.

Traffic Scotland's map showing where the accident has happened picture: Traffic Scotland

It connects the country's two largest cities, Glasgow and Edinburgh.

A police spokeswoman said: “Officers are currently in attendance on the M8 near to junction 5 at Shotts following a road traffic incident.

"Police were called to the scene at 4.05am on Friday, 2 October.

“The road is currently closed in both directions between junction 4 and junction 5.

“Emergency services remain at the scene and drivers are asked to avoid the area, where possible.”

More as we have it.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive. We are now more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription to support our journalism.

Subscribe to the Edinburgh Evening News online and enjoy unlimited access to trusted, fact-checked news and sport from Edinburgh and the Lothians. Visit https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/subscriptions now to sign up.

By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Joy Yates

Editorial Director