scenes – sounds – action

Replace the M8! Voices and visions on the future of an urban motorway in Glasgow, Scotland

andrew hoolachan & peter kelly  ·  pages 659–674  ·  published online 04 jul 2025

abstract

this article outlines the development of a citizen-led campaign to replace an inner-city motorway in glasgow, scotland through the group ‘replace the m8’, led by peter kelly. it tells the story of the group’s formation in the run up to cop26, the impacts on local debates within glasgow, and how local and national government has been influenced by the group’s efforts. the m8 motorway carries 150,000 vehicles a day through inner glasgow with dramatic environmental, social and architectural impacts. however ‘replacing’ the m8 presents a challenge for the governance of transport and community participation in scotland. the article ends by reflecting on what the scottish government should do to ensure scotland doesn’t fall behind global efforts to create liveable and sustainable cities and what the campaign thinks the next steps should be in pushing the idea forward.

Keywords:

transport mobility activism urban design scotland
Figure 2: The M8 at Anderston where it becomes the Kingston Bridge.
Figure 2: The M8 at Anderston where it becomes the Kingston Bridge. Note the relative scale compared to the size of the people. Source: Andrew Hoolachan. taken from the original article.
Figure 3: The M8 at Charing Cross. Note the high-quality traditional architecture.
Figure 3: The M8 at Charing Cross. Note the high-quality traditional architecture. Source: Andrew Hoolachan. taken from the original article.
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