Traffic Management in South West Scotland Over Christmas

As the festive season approaches, Amey has announced which trunk roads in South-West Scotland will be impacted by traffic management installations for essential maintenance between Friday 19th December 2025 until Monday 5th January 2026. 

Road users travelling for the holidays are encouraged to plan ahead and allow extra time for any journeys.   
 

Routes with continuing traffic management over the festive period include:   
 

M8 Hillington Interchange (J26): A 2+2 contraflow, 40mph speed limit, and average speed cameras will remain in place during the holidays. Braehead Shopping Centre and nearby retailers remain open for business with their own festive trading hours. Phase Three of major bridge refurbishments at this location is scheduled to commence in early January 2026.  

M8 Woodside Viaducts (J16-J17): Phoenix Road and Garscube Roundabout closures remain in effect.  
Please note, no active work will be taking place at these locations over the festivities; however, traffic management remains in place to ensure the safety of road users and the sites.   
 

Other notable maintenance projects will have traffic management removed for Christmas and New Year but will resume early 2026. Including:  
M74 (J7) Pier Protection  
A78 Fairlie Footways 
A78 Largs Seawall Repairs 
A78 Skelmorlie Drainage Improvements 
A77 Kilmarnock to Ayr Woodland Management 
A77 Cairnryan Drainage Improvements 
A75 Gretna to Dumfries Woodland Management 
A75 Stranraer Footways 
A75 Crocketford Footways 

Updates to these projects will be provided via the free roadwork alert service on swtrunkroads.scot.  

Motorists are also advised to drive weather aware and be prepared before setting off. Unfortunately, breakdowns can happen at any time and having an emergency travel kit in your vehicle can ease a stressful situation.  
 

An emergency travel kit for winter should include:   
De-icer  
Ice-scraper  
Torch  
Spare batteries  
High-visibility jacket  
Warm clothes  
Blanket  
The below should always be in your vehicle in case of emergencies:   
First aid kit  
Jump start cables  
Empty fuel can  
Water and food  
Shovel  
Back-up phone battery/portable phone charger  
 

Amey would like to thank all road users and those affected by road maintenance for their patience and understanding; and wish you all the best for 2026.