PAISLEY, Scotland — A 45-year-old man has died after being struck by a car on the M8 near Glasgow Airport, forcing a major motorway closure and prompting police to appeal for witnesses and dash-cam footage.
UPDATE❗️ ⌚08:50
— Traffic Scotland (@trafficscotland) September 14, 2026
⛔️ #M8 J29 – J30
The #M8 remains CLOSED in both directions due to an ongoing Police Incident.
Traffic is being diverted (see below) and traffic is already very slow Westbound as a result.
Travel time:
Westbound: 30mins (Appx), Eastbound: 20mins (Appx) pic.twitter.com/Lkxu6gm3bc
Emergency services were called at around 11:45pm on Sunday, September 13, following a collision involving the pedestrian and a Mini Cooper on the M8 near Paisley. The man was pronounced dead at the scene. No other injuries were reported.
The incident led to the M8 being closed in both directions between Junctions 29 and 30, with the restrictions continuing into Monday morning and causing significant disruption across Renfrewshire and routes around Glasgow Airport.
Police investigate fatal M8 collision
Police are working to establish the circumstances that led to the collision, including events immediately before the pedestrian was struck.
The man’s next of kin have been informed. Police have not publicly established why he was on the motorway, and no conclusion should be drawn about responsibility while enquiries remain ongoing.
Officers are appealing to anyone who witnessed the incident but has not yet spoken to police to come forward. Drivers who were travelling through the area around 11:45pm have also been asked to check dash-cam footage that could assist the investigation.
Anyone with information can contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 3828 of September 13, 2026.
M8 closure hits Monday morning traffic
The motorway was shut in both directions between Junction 29 and Junction 30 while emergency services attended and investigators examined the scene.
Traffic Scotland reported delays of approximately 30 minutes westbound and 20 minutes eastbound during the Monday morning rush hour.
The location made the disruption particularly significant. Junction 29 is close to Glasgow Airport, while the affected stretch carries traffic between Glasgow, Paisley and communities across Renfrewshire and further west.
Airport passengers, workers, taxis and commuters were among those facing longer journeys. Drivers can check current restrictions through the official Traffic Scotland travel service.
Diversions introduced around Paisley and Erskine
Traffic was diverted away from the closed motorway using surrounding roads, with routes involving A726 Barnsford Road, the Erskine Bridge area and the M898.
The diversions increased pressure on local roads as Monday morning traffic built up. Drivers approaching Glasgow Airport or travelling through Paisley were advised to allow additional time and check conditions before setting out.
Westbound lane reopens as delays ease
The road began reopening in stages later in the morning. One westbound lane at Junction 29 was reported open, helping reduce westbound delays to around 12 minutes from the earlier estimate of approximately 30 minutes.
Restrictions remained on other parts of the affected stretch during the latest reported update while police continued their work. Motorists should check live information because lane availability and reopening times can change during an active investigation.
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M8 incident timeline
- 11:45pm Sunday: Emergency services are called to a collision involving a pedestrian and Mini Cooper.
- Sunday night: The 45-year-old man is pronounced dead at the scene.
- Overnight: M8 closes in both directions between J29 and J30.
- Monday rush hour: Delays reach about 30 minutes westbound and 20 minutes eastbound.
- Later Monday morning: One westbound lane reopens and westbound delays ease.
Glasgow Airport passengers face knock-on disruption
The motorway closure does not itself mean flights at Glasgow Airport are disrupted, but passengers travelling to the terminal by road should allow extra time while restrictions remain.
Serious incidents on major routes can create wider congestion while police complete collision-investigation work. Drivers recently experienced lengthy disruption following an M42 crash near Redditch that forced a motorway closure.
Transport disruption can be particularly difficult when it affects routes serving airports. Recent delays affecting Sydney Airport similarly highlighted the importance of checking both the journey to the terminal and the latest flight information.
Witness evidence could help establish events
Police have not yet publicly detailed the sequence of events that resulted in the pedestrian being on the motorway. Witness accounts and dash-cam recordings could therefore be important as officers reconstruct what happened.
Drivers using the M8 near Junctions 29 and 30 should continue following signed diversions and live traffic updates until police and road authorities confirm that all restrictions have been removed.
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