John Mason MSP (Glasgow Shettleston) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Government  what impact the opening of the M74 motorway extension has had on traffic flow on the M8 motorway and what the traffic flow is on the extension.

(S4W-13730)

Mr Keith Brown MSP (Minister for Transport & Veterans): Following the opening of the M74 Completion scheme, the average two-way daily flows along the M8 motorway, between Charing Cross and Ballieston, have reduced by around 18-20,000 vehicles per day. Across theKingstonBridgethe average two-way daily flows have reduced by around 11,000 vehicles per day.

Along the M8 west of the M77 the average 2-way flows have increased, for example by around 10,000 vehicles per day between Junctions 25 and 25A, reducing to around 2,000 vehicles per day between Junctions 26 and 27.

On the M74 Completion scheme itself, traffic flows of between 34,000 and 37,000 vehicles per day in each direction have been observed.