MAJOR works on Scotland's busiest motorway has opened to traffic today.

The new westbound section of the M8 going between Baillieston and Newhouse is open to traffic - a week ahead of schedule.

Meanwhile the eastbound section is due to open next weekend.

Those travelling on the M8 and A8 faced major disruption over the past nine weeks as final work was completed on the new carriageway.

Now the entire stretch going between Edinburgh and Glasgow is motorway.

The works were three years in the making and the latest stage in the £500m M8, M74 and M73 motorway improvements project.

Transport Scotland has said that the new road would cut travel times at peak times by about 20 minutes.