The Clydeside Expressway and a key M8 junction have reopened this morning after a month of being out of use for COP26.

At 6am today, both the Expressway (A814) and Junction 19 of the M8 located at Anderston will re-open and operate as usual now that the climate talks have come to an end.

Both roads usually have thousands of vehicles pass through every day, and have been closed since October 23 for the international climate summit.

The M8 junction was specifically used to escort world leaders and delegates travelling through from Edinburgh and outside Glasgow. Joe Biden's 20-vehicle presidential motorcade was among the long list of envoys that passed through during COP26.

The road between Minerva Street and West Greenhill Place also re-opened at 6am on Saturday, but the majority of Glasgow roads which have caused significant travel disruption at the hands of COP26 finally opened on Monday alongside the Expressway (A814) and Junction 19. 

READ MORE: Glasgow city centre new 'car free' zone announced

There are also several other roads that have reopened in Glasgow today, and other closures will finish throughout the week with the final road re-opening on November 21.

The road closures coming to an end are: 

  • Minerva Street - West Greenhill Place - Open from 6am on Saturday November 13
     
  • Clydeside Expressway – Partick Interchange to Anderston (Jnct 19) - Open from 6am on Monday November 15 
     
  • Clyde Arc and Lancefield Quay - Open from 6am on Monday November 15 
     
  • Finnieston Street – Houldsworth Street to Lancefield Quay - Open from 6am on Monday November 15
     
  • Congress Road - Open from 6am on Wednesday November 17
     
  • Congress Way, Finnieston Quay, Tunnel Street, Stobcross Road (section Parallel to A814) and Castlebank Street - Open from 6am on Sunday November 21

READ MORE: Commuters in Glasgow urged to ditch cars after COP26 leads to fall in traffic

It comes as Glasgow City Council claim that traffic volumes dropped considerably during the international gathering as roads were closed off and vehicle access to the city centre became limited.

They are suggesting that there has been a 30 per cent reduction of traffic volume in the city during Cop26, and are now encouraging commuters to maintain the same travelling practices which lead to the drop.

A Glasgow City Council spokesperson said: “During the course of the COP26 climate change conference we have seen a 30 per cent reduction in the volume of traffic.

"It is very encouraging that people visiting Glasgow and people who live and work here followed the pre-conference advice to leave the car at home and use public transport or walk or cycle instead.

"It also shows the effectiveness of the extensive pre-conference information campaign we carried out and the measures we put in place to manage the traffic.

“This change in behaviour is very welcome and exactly the kind of thing that we would encourage as part of Glasgow’s drive to have net zero emissions by 2045.”