Southbar Interchange
Southbar Interchange | |||
Location Map ( geo) | |||
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The former interchange in 2011 | |||
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Location | |||
Southbar | |||
County | |||
Renfrewshire | |||
Highway Authority | |||
Transport Scotland | |||
Junction Type | |||
modified fork | |||
Roads Joined | |||
M8, A8 | |||
The Southbar Interchange was, for a time between 1968 and 1970, a terminus of the M8 Renfrew Bypass section. It has then had a junction built, been closed and then re-built again.
History
The first junction on the site was an at grade junction where the mainline flowed from the M8 into the westbound A8, with the city bound A8 giving way, presumably at traffic signals.
The M8 extension was then started, and completed in two sections, the first in December 1970 just as far as the M898 at Craigton Interchange. Therefore, in order to maintain the traffic flow from the motorway onto the A8 they needed to maintain a junction at this point. This took the form of a simple slip from the westbound M8 onto the A8, but for eastbound traffic they needed to build a loop which started under the new overbridge, and curved through the field to the north east of the junction to meet the M8 before the bridge started. These two sliproads also allowed traffic flows to be maintained during the construction process.
With the completion of the motorway through to West Ferry Interchange in November 1975, the junction at Southbar was no longer really needed. It is still shown in use on the 1976 OS Landranger map, but not given a number whilst the motorway is complete through to West Ferry. By the 1980s the junction is marked as closed, and it was later removed, the land being returned to nature on the south side, whilst the site of the loop has been returned to the farmer.
The Junction Returns
In 2016, plans were made for a new junction at the site, with legal orders being published in August 2016.
The rebuilt junction, partially using the original offslip but otherwise a new design, opened in late 2019.
The two dumbbell roundabouts themselves are named, as the Commonside Roundabout and Craigmuir Roundabout.
Routes
Route | To | Notes |
Erskine Bridge (M898), Erskine | ||
Glasgow, Airport, Paisley | ||
Greenock, Bishopstone | ||
Renfrew | ||
Glasgow, Airport, Paisley |
Strip Maps
Links
legislation.gov.uk