Anger over 'confusing' diversion

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/6575407.stm

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A roads maintenance firm has launched an investigation after motorists were sent on a 20-mile detour that brought them back to where they had started.

The diversion was put in place by contractor Amey while improvements are made to the M8 near Glasgow Airport.

Motorists said detour signs sent them on a "baffling" journey over the Erskine Bridge, through Clydebank and then back to the airport.

Amey said it was investigating and has promised to end the confusion.

One angry driver who contacted the BBC described how he had been caught up in the confusion as he attempted to navigate his way home late on Wednesday night.

'Absolutely baffling'

He said: "I followed all the signs and went over the Erskine Bridge. Then I followed the diversion over the dual carriageway and back round on the outskirts of Clydebank.

"Twenty-five minutes later I was back at the airport where I started.

"I know the roads around there fairly well so I eventually managed to find another way home, but it must have been absolutely baffling for tourists arriving at Glasgow Airport for the first time."

When the £4m improvement work to the White Cart Viaduct got under way in January, Amey issued a warning to motorists to leave extra time for their journey as the roadworks meant delays would be "unavoidable."

We are investigating the situation to ensure that this cannot be repeated Bruce DonaldsonAmey

Bruce Donaldson, Amey's unit manager for south west Scotland, said: "We are a significant way through major works on the M8 between junctions 27 and 29.

"A closure of the northbound A737 at the eastbound M8 was necessary on Wednesday night for this project.

"Additionally overnight drainage works also took place on the M898 near Erskine Bridge which required a short diversion.

"Regrettably the diversions therefore overlapped. We are investigating the situation to ensure that this cannot be repeated."

White Cart Viaduct is the main access route to Glasgow airport for traffic travelling from Glasgow, Edinburgh and the majority of the central belt. It carries 80,000 vehicles every day.