BEAR Scotland is continuing its ambitious programme of improvements on the South East trunk road network, with a number of significant schemes completed.

Resurfacing projects worth a total of £8 million have improved safety and ride quality for motorists at 30 different locations, including the M8, M9 and M876 motorways, as well as other trunk roads including the A1, A7, A702 and A720.

A major programme of refurbishment works was completed on the bridge carrying the M8 over the railway at Junction 3A Bathgate. The nature of the works meant that the project had to be carried out over two full weekends, with a contraflow in place on the motorway. On each weekend the old surfacing and waterproofing on one side of the bridge was removed and underlying concrete repairs were undertaken, before a new waterproofing system was applied, the bridge was resurfaced and expansion joints were reinstated.


Road safety improvements taken forward in the third quarter of 2022 include a new flood detection and warning system on the M9 between Junctions 9 and 10, and improvements to bend signing on the A702.

A ten-week programme of drainage improvements was completed on the northbound A1 between Bankton and Dolphingstone.

Planned works on the M8, M90, A1 and A720 had to be postponed due to increased traffic around Edinburgh following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, however these works were all subsequently rearranged and completed before the end of September.

Resurfacing of the north viaduct on the Forth Road Bridge began in July and is expected to be completed by the end of October.

A 28-week programme of upgrades to safety barriers protecting the piers of three bridges crossing the M9 between Junctions 6 and 7 began in September.

Andy Thompson, BEAR Scotland Operating Company Representative for the South East said: "Over the summer of 2022 BEAR Scotland has continued to deliver an ambitious programme of improvements across South East Scotland's trunk road network. The level of investment from Transport Scotland underlines our shared commitment to improving the experience for road users travelling on the routes that we maintain. We will continue to work hard to deliver further improvements over the months and years ahead."