In the second quarter of 2025, BEAR Scotland delivered over £23 million in improvements and maintenance across the South East trunk road network on behalf of our client Transport Scotland.

This included resurfacing projects worth almost £9 million, improving surface quality and overall safety for motorists on various routes:

• In April we delivered ten schemes, on the A1, A720, M8 and M9. This included particularly significant structural inlays on the westbound M8 prior to Junction 3A and on the southbound A1 at Tynefield, between Haddington and Dunbar.
• In May we delivered seven schemes, on the A1, A720, M8 and M9. This included significant work on the M8 at Polkemmet, successfully delivered under a mix of nightshift closure and 24-hour contraflow. With the high impact nature of this scheme, an enhanced programme of consultation, advertising and publicity was undertaken in advance of and during the works, resulting in a significant proportion of motorists choosing alternate routes.
• In June we delivered eight schemes, on the M90, M9, A1 and A720.

Bridges projects worth almost £7.5 million were delivered in the quarter.

On the Forth Road Bridge, work continued on projects to refurbish the main cable dehumidification system and steelwork on the suspended span including the central grillage. Work has continued on an internal inspection of the main cables.

Other bridge projects within the South East network included major refurbishment works on the bridge carrying the A84 over the M9 at Junction 10 Craigforth which began in April and are now nearing completion.

Work also began to refurbish Knockhill Bridge, which carries the M9 over a local road near Bridge of Allan and on the bridge carrying the B792 over the M8 at Blackburn.

Significant drainage works included filter drain recycling and pipe repairs on the A68 Dalkeith bypass and the M9 at Linlithgow Loch and between Junction 9 and 10 near Stirling, and investigation works on the A1 at Abbotsview and the M876 from Junction 2 to the M80.

Our programme of road marking and stud renewal got underway in May on the M876 and continued in June on a north section of the A68.

Annual programmes of routine overnight maintenance which includes grass cutting, drainage cleaning, sign cleaning, detailed inspections and road sweeping commenced on the M8, M80, M876, A720 and A823(M).

Landscaping improvements took place on the A7 between Hawick and Teviothead.

Andy Thompson, BEAR Scotland Operating Company Representative for the South East said:

“We have forged ahead with a variety of significant improvements in the second quarter of 2025, thanks to continuing strong investment from our client Transport Scotland. Although this level of activity means more road works in the short term, road users in South East Scotland will feel the benefits in terms of improved safety and reliability for years to come.”