SP Energy Networks to upgrade network infrastructure in Newbridge this weekend

Engineers from SP Energy Networks will be working through the night this weekend to install new electricity poles across the M8 to ensure a safe and resilient electricity supply for customers in the Newbridge area.

The vital poles going across the M8 near Newbridge will replace the ones currently in position that are beginning to degrade in places. The works will take place overnight this Saturday (12 June) from 10pm until 7am on Sunday (13 June) just near Birdsmill.

While the works are undertaken, the stretch of the M8 between Junction 2 and 3 will be closed in both eastbound and westbound directions. A signposted diversion will be in place via the A89 and A899.

Ross Galbraith, District Manager for Central and Fife at SP Energy Networks, said: “Overhead power lines and poles are vital to our network and by replacing them we can ensure a continued safe and reliable supply of electricity to thousands of customers across Newbridge.

“We’ll be working through the night this weekend to keep disruption to a minimum but we would like to apologise in advance for any inconvenience our repair works cause and thank motorway users for their patience as we carry out the necessary replacement work.

“We will be working as safely and quickly as possible to carry out the repairs and traffic management measures will be in place to ensure journeys are impacted as little as possible.”

To keep up to date with the latest information, please follow @SPEnergyNetwork on Twitter.

M8 to remain closed following fatal accident

Police Scotland can confirm that the M8 between Shotts and Whitburn will remain closed this afternoon following a fatal road traffic crash which happened in the early hours of this morning (Friday, 2 October).

Officers were called to reports of a road traffic collision on the eastbound carriageway at Shotts around 4.05am.

As a result of the incident, one person, the sole occupier of the vehicle has died.

The M8 was closed and remains shut both east and westbound between junction 4 and 5 whilst collision investigation is ongoing.

Chief Inspector Darren Faulds, said: “Our thoughts and sympathies are with the family and friends of the person who sadly lost their life in this incident.

“We understand that closing this major route has caused significant disruption to motorists, and we thank them for their patience while we continue to respond to this serious incident.

“I would ask any driver using the M8 in the early hours of this morning who may have witnessed the incident, or who may have dash cam footage of the incident, contact police.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting incident 0355 of 2 October, 2020.