M8 closed and long delays after crash near Harthill Services

Road Policing Scotland M8Road Policing Scotland
Rush hour traffic on the M8 has been diverted following the crash

A section of the M8 was closed for almost five hours after a rush-hour crash.

The road was closed westbound between junction 4A Heartlands and Junction 5 near Whitburn at about 17:00 after the collision near Harthill Services.

A diversion was put in place, with traffic re-joining the motorway at junction 5 via the B7066 Harthill.

The eastbound carriageway remained unaffected and the road reopened fully at about 21:40.

Police described the incident as "serious". It was reported that an air ambulance attended the scene.

In statements posted on social media, Road Policing Scotland said: "We are trying our best to keep traffic moving westbound.

"We have officers on junctions/points at Heartlands Services roundabouts and the Harthill Road to give priority to traffic leaving the motorway on the diversion route."

Traffic between junction 4A and the site of the crash near Harthill Services was being turned around by motorbike units.

Details of the crash and the extent of injuries of those involved are yet to be confirmed.