Documents reveal dangerous fault in M8 bridge

According to official documents obtained by The Scotsman newspaper, the M8 White Cart Viaduct, near Glasgow Airport, has a potentially catastrophic fault which has resulted in a ban on heavy vehicles.

An apparent crack in the metal joints linking one section of the half-mile-long structure has been discovered, and this week new 40mph speed restrictions will be placed on that section of the motorway to reduce wear and tear. Documents obtained under Freedom of Information laws from Transport Scotland, the quango responsible for overseeing maintenance of major roads, reveal serious new concerns among top engineers.

The 40-year-old White Cart Viaduct is one of Scotland's most important roads, carrying 80,000 vehicles a day.

Collapse of M8 bridge feared (Scotland on Sunday, 4 November 2007)

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