Whitdale Roundabout

The original crossroads, as shown on the 1961 OS One Inch sheet

The M8 temporary terminus, shown on the 1966 edition

The M8 passing to the south after its eastward extension, shown in 1971

Whitdale Roundabout is a three arm roundabout on the site of what would once have been a very busy crossroads. Today the roundabout lies at the southern end of the B8084, which heads north along the former route of the A706 into Armadale. The A706 itself continues south, under the M8 into Whitburn, while its northern arm has been re-routed onto the former A8 line, which heads north east towards Bathgate. All three arms comprise single approach and departure lanes, which seem sufficient for the current traffic levels.

History

This junction originates with the construction of the new Glasgow and Edinburgh road in the 1920s, which became the new route of the A8 between the two cities. As originally built, the junction appears to have been a straightforward crossroads with the new A8 running roughly east-west and the A706 continuing on its north-south route. The new road was built wide enough to accommodate three lanes of traffic, and so was probably marked with a 'suicide' lane in later years, although it seems to have since been reduced in width.

In the early 1960s, the M8 motorway began construction, taking over from the old A8. The bypass for Harthill and Whitburn was one of the earlier sections to open, and is shown on the 1966 OS One Inch sheet, with a temporary terminus at this roundabout, which had replaced the old crossroads. The old line of the A8 to the west had already been deflected further south to allow for the eastern continuation of the M8 between the two roads. This temporary terminus also necessitated the construction of a bridge over the River Almond, which appears to survive in the trees to the west of the roundabout. A few years later, and the next section of the M8 had been constructed, staying on the southern side of the River Almond, and flying over the A706 a short distance to the south of the roundabout. At this stage, however, the A706 maintained its historic route, with the B7066 taking over the former A8 to the east. It was not until the completion of the southern end of the A801 in the 1980s that the A706 was diverted, and the B8084 came into existence.

The western arm of the former A8 survives, albeit turned to make room for the new motorway. It is now the B7066 and meets the A706 at a simple T junction to the south of the motorway overbridge.

Routes

Route	To	Notes
A706	Bathgate (B7002), Livingston (M8), Falkirk, Linlithgow (A801)	former A8, later B7066
A706	Whitburn, Lanark, Harthill, Glasgow (B7066)
B8084	Armadale	former A706
A8	Glasgow	now B7066, accessed further south
M8	Glasgow	temporary terminus
A8	Edinburgh	now A706