SCOTLAND'S new motorway system will be safer and cleaner as well as boosting business, a roads and driving expert said as the the country's "missing link" transport system was officially opened by the First Minister.

The latest stage in the £500m M8, M73 and M74 Motorway Improvements Project cuts the journey times of more than 100,000 drivers using the main artery between the country's two biggest cities along one of the busiest stretches in Europe by more than a quarter of an hour.

Neil Greig, of the Institute of Advanced Motorists RoadSmart, said the new road system will also be more safe and better for environment.

The so-called missing link of Scotland's busiest motorway, between Newhouse and Baillieston, opened to traffic in April, but the official unveiling was made on Monday by Nicola Sturgeon.

Transport Scotland said the project, designed to tackle traffic congestion problems in central Scotland, is already cutting journey times for motorists by up to 20 minutes.

Vehicles are now travelling along the M8 at an average speed of almost 70mph, even during busy periods, and it expects to see a reduction in road accidents as a result of the work.

Mr Greig said: "We think its great news that the final completion of the long awaited motorway link between Glasgow and Edinburgh is already delivering journey time savings.

"Delays add to the cost of transporting the goods everyone needs and predicting how long it will take to get around the central belt just got a whole lot easier.

"It’s not just about fuel, emissions, vehicle wear and tear and driver time savings but also means that ‘just in time’ delivery slots can be met and goods delivered in city centres and other sensitive areas at the right time.

"Motorways are also our safest roads and by next year a new generation of drivers will be able to access them as supervised learners which will ultimately deliver better driving standards on these key routes.

"New roads always come with built in safety features that make them safer for pedestrians and cyclists."

He added: "It is important that the Scottish Government maintains its new roads programme which offers a much better rate of return than any other form of transport investment."

Speaking at the Maxim Business Park at Eurocentral on Monday, Ms Sturgeon said: "The M8 is a vital link in the central belt and this newly completed section will help connect people to business, leisure and education opportunities and also creates a better environment for companies to do business.

"Businesses are already reporting a journey time saving of up to 20 minutes between Scotland's biggest cities and a similar saving for those using Raith junction. These improvements and additional road capacity will ensure our economy has room to grow.

"With the completion of this project and three others - the Queensferry Crossing, the first section of the A9 dualling and the Aberdeen bypass - by next spring, more than 250km of new roads will have been completed in the last 10 years - representing a total investment in construction of £2.81 billion."

Stuart Patrick, chief executive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, said the new road network is a "key link for people commuting to Glasgow, with shorter journey times a real benefit to businesses and the economy".